CAF Women’s Champions League: Origins, Evolution, and Records of a Rising Competition
Since its inception in 2021, the CAF Women’s Champions League has marked a new milestone in the development of women’s football in Africa. From the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system to records in goals scored and team participation, we look at the key figures and highlights of this continental competition.
The Origins
On June 30, 2020, CAF Executive Committee announced the creation of the CAF Women’s Champions League. The inaugural edition of the competition took place in 2021 in Egypt.
A Qualifier for the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup
As of 2025, CAF Women’s Champions League also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup. The winner of the African competition gains direct entry into the second preliminary round of the global tournament. In the most recent edition, AS FAR represented the CAF in this tournament.
Introduction of VAR
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system was introduced to the CAF Women’s Champions League in 2021, during the competition’s very first edition, held in Egypt.
• November 15, 2021: CAF announced that VAR would be used for the semi-finals and the final of the inaugural tournament, rather than for every match.
• From 2022 onwards: The use of VAR was expanded to cover a broader range of matches within the competition. CAF confirms its use in competitions organized as centralized tournaments, starting in 2022.
CAF Women’s Champions League records
Ranking of the top goal scorers in the history of the competition
|
Player |
Time |
Club |
Goals |
|
1. Melinda Kgadiete |
2021-2024 |
Mamelodi Sundowns |
7 |
|
2. Doha El Madani |
2024 |
AS FAR |
6 |
|
2. Ibtissam Jraïdi |
2021-2022 |
AS FAR |
6 |
|
2. Marlène Kasaj |
2024-2025 |
TP Mazembe |
6 |
|
2. Boitumelo Rabale |
2021-2024 |
Mamelodi Sundowns |
6 |
|
6. Evelyn Badu |
2021 |
Hasaacas Ladies |
5 |
|
6. Lelona Daweti |
2021-2024 |
Mamelodi Sundowns |
5 |
|
6. Sanaâ Mssoudy |
2021-2024 |
AS FAR |
5 |
|
6. Fatima Tagnaouti |
2021-2024 |
AS FAR |
5 |
|
6. Refilwe Tholakele |
2023 |
Mamelodi Sundowns |
5 |
Top scorer in a single edition
The record for the most goals scored in a single edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League is jointly held by two Moroccan players from AS FAR. Ibtissam Jraïdi scored six goals in 2022, a feat later equaled by Doha El Madani in 2024.
Youngest goalscorer
At 15 years, 8 months, and 13 days old, Winfrida Gerald (JKT Queens) became the youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history after finding the back of the net against Athlético d’Abidjan on November 8, 2023.
Participation records
|
Club |
Number of participations |
Editions |
|
AS FAR |
6 |
2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 |
|
Mamelodi Sundowns |
5 |
2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026 |
|
TP Mazembe |
3 |
2022, 2024, 2025 |
|
FC Masar |
3 |
2024,2025, 2026 |
|
AS Mandé |
2 |
2021, 2023 |
|
JKT Queens |
2 |
2023, 2025 |
|
Wadi Degla |
2 |
2021, 2022 |
Notable statistics
Biggest win in the group stage: 5–0
· Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Wadi Degla in 2022.
· FC Masar vs. 15 de Agosto in 2025.
Biggest win in the knockout stage: 4–0
· AS FAR vs. Mamelodi Sundowns in the final, 2022.
First hat-trick in the competition’s history:
· Sanaâ Mssoudy, for AS FAR against Rivers angels in 2021.
Top scorer in the final:
· Ibtissam Jraïdi, foe AS Far against Mamelodi Sundowns in 2022.
Most represented countries
|
Country |
Clubs |
|
Morocco |
3 (AS FAR, SC Casablanca, FUS Rabat) |
|
Nigeria |
3 (Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels) |
|
Equatorial Guinea |
3 (15 de Agosto, Huracanes, Malabo Kings) |
|
South Africa |
2 (Mamelodi Sundowns, UWC) |
|
Egypt |
2 (Wadi Degla, FC Masar) |
|
Côte d’Ivoire |
2 (Athlético d’Abidjan, ASEC Mimosas) |
|
Ghana |
2 (Hasaacas Ladies FC, Ampem Darkoa) |
|
Tanzania |
2 (Simba Queens, JKT Queens) |
|
Mali |
2 (USFAS Bamako, AS Mandé) |