Guinea’s AS Bolonta began their CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU-A Qualifiers campaign on a winning note after defeating Gambian champions Berewuleng Women’s FC 2-0 at the Independence Stadium.

After a goalless first half, AS Bolonta broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart when Mariama Soumah capitalised on a defensive lapse, with Berewuleng failing to clear their lines in the 48th minute.

Berewuleng came close to an immediate response when star forward Sarah Jarju, last year’s CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU-A Qualifiers top scorer, missed a glorious opportunity in the 52nd minute.

Second-half substitute Mariama Sima was also presented with a promising opportunity in the 58th minute. She was played into a dangerous position and brilliantly cut back to evade her marker, but with the goal at her mercy, she fired her effort high.

Berewuleng then produced one of their finest attacking moves of the match in the 61st minute. Sima dazzled on the flank before delivering a long diagonal ball to Ellen Gomez, who brilliantly picked out an unmarked Sarah Jarju inside the box. However, Jarju’s effort was safely dealt with.

AS Bolonta doubled their advantage in spectacular fashion in the 64th minute when Mamam Sata Fancindound scored directly from a corner, producing an Olympic goal to put the Guinean side 2-0 ahead.

Berewuleng pushed for a way back into the contest but could not find a breakthrough as AS Bolonta held on for a valuable opening victory in Group B.

The defeat leaves the Gambian champions with work to do in their remaining matches as they look to keep their hopes of progressing in the competition alive.

By Ebrima KB Sonko