CAF Women's Champions League: Sundowns and debutantes Lekié reach semi-finals as hosts Masar crash out

Cameroon's Lekié Football Filles pulled off a major upset to reach the CAF Women's Champions League Egypt 2026 semi-finals on their tournament debut, knocking out Egyptian hosts FC Masar with a dramatic 2-1 victory on Saturday.

The result secured a historic place in the last four for the Cameroonian side, who finished second in Group A behind two-time African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who completed an unbeaten group campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Morocco's FUS Rabat.

Lekié entered the final round with just one point and needing victory to keep their qualification hopes alive, while Masar required only a draw to reach the semi-finals for the third consecutive edition.

However, the Cameroonians overturned expectations to finish level with Masar on four points, advancing by virtue of their head-to-head victory over the Egyptian club.

Sundowns topped the group with seven points from three matches, recording two victories and a draw to strengthen their bid for a third continental crown.

The results ended the campaigns of both Masar and FUS Rabat, leaving Sundowns and Lekié as the two teams progressing from Group A.

Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 FUS Rabat: South Africans underline title credentials

Scorers: Bambanani Mbane (25'), Ntandoyenkosi Majiya (86'), Karabo Dhlamini (89')

Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their impressive record against Moroccan opposition with a convincing 3-0 victory over FUS Rabat to secure top spot in Group A.

The South African champions took control of the encounter when defender Bambanani Mbane broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, giving Sundowns an important advantage against opponents desperate for victory.

FUS, who entered the match with just one point from their previous two fixtures, needed a major upset to have any hope of reaching the knockout stage.

However, Sundowns' experience and defensive organisation made it difficult for the Moroccan debutants to find a way back into the contest.

The two-time African champions protected their narrow lead for much of the second half before producing a decisive late attacking surge.

Ntandoyenkosi Majiya doubled the advantage in the 86th minute, effectively ending FUS Rabat's hopes of mounting a comeback.

Karabo Dhlamini completed the victory three minutes later, scoring Sundowns' third goal to round off an impressive performance.

The result was Sundowns' second win of the tournament, following their opening goalless draw against FC Masar and a 2-1 victory over Lekié Football Filles.

Their seven-point tally ensured they finished Group A unbeaten, providing further encouragement as they pursue a third CAF Women's Champions League title after previous triumphs in 2021 and 2023.

For FUS Rabat, the defeat brought a disappointing end to their maiden continental campaign.

The Moroccan side failed to score in their three Group Stage matches, having previously drawn 0-0 with Lekié and suffered a 3-0 defeat against Masar.

Their elimination leaves them with one point, while Sundowns progress to the semi-finals with growing confidence.

Lekié Football Filles 2-1 FC Masar: Cameroonian debutants stun Egyptian hosts

Scorers: Brenda Tabe (1'), MN Biyo (59'); F. Elmahdy (FC Masar)

Lekié Football Filles produced one of the biggest surprises of the tournament by defeating FC Masar 2-1 to secure a historic semi-final appearance in their first CAF Women's Champions League campaign.

The Cameroonian side made a sensational start, taking the lead in the opening minute through Brenda Tabe.

The early breakthrough immediately changed the complexion of the encounter, putting Masar under pressure in a match where the Egyptian hosts needed only a point to advance.

Lekié had entered the final round without a victory after drawing 0-0 with FUS Rabat and losing 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns.

However, their determination to extend their debut campaign was evident as they challenged a Masar side that had previously gone unbeaten in their opening two fixtures.

The Cameroonians strengthened their position in the 59th minute when MN Biyo scored their second goal, leaving the Egyptian hosts facing an increasingly difficult task.

Masar responded through F. Elmahdy, but the goal was not enough to prevent a defeat that brought their continental campaign to an unexpected end.

The result was particularly significant because Masar had entered the match with one of the strongest defensive records in the competition, having kept clean sheets against both Sundowns and FUS Rabat.

After holding the South Africans to a goalless draw in their opening match, the Egyptian club had strengthened their qualification prospects with an emphatic 3-0 victory over the Moroccan representatives.

Their hopes of reaching a third successive semi-final therefore appeared strong before Saturday's decisive encounter.

Instead, Lekié's victory turned the Group A standings on their head.

Both teams finished with four points, but the Cameroonians secured second place through their superior head-to-head record.

The achievement represents a remarkable breakthrough for Lekié, who have reached the semi-finals at the first attempt despite losing to Sundowns in their previous match.

For Masar, elimination is a major disappointment, particularly after their promising start and the advantage of playing the tournament on home soil.

Sundowns and Lekié advance as Group A delivers dramatic conclusion

The final round brought contrasting emotions for the two qualifiers, with Sundowns confirming their status among the tournament's leading contenders and Lekié celebrating a landmark achievement in Cameroonian women's club football.

Sundowns' combination of defensive resilience and attacking quality helped them navigate the group without defeat, while their three-goal victory against FUS provided momentum ahead of the knockout stage.

For Lekié, the journey to the semi-finals has been considerably more dramatic.

The Cameroonian debutants recovered from a difficult start to secure their first continental victory when it mattered most, eliminating a Masar side that had appeared well placed to qualify.

Their achievement also underlines the growing competitiveness of the CAF Women's Champions League, with emerging clubs increasingly capable of challenging more experienced opponents.

With Group A concluded, Sundowns and Lekié will now turn their attention to the semi-finals as they continue their pursuit of Africa's most prestigious women's club football title.