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"description": "Daily Maverick is an independent online news publication and weekly print newspaper in South Africa.\r\n\r\nIt is known for breaking some of the defining stories of South Africa in the past decade, including the Marikana Massacre, in which the South African Police Service killed 34 miners in August 2012.\r\n\r\nIt also investigated the Gupta Leaks, which won the 2019 Global Shining Light Award.\r\n\r\nThat investigation was credited with exposing the Indian-born Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma for their role in the systemic political corruption referred to as state capture.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, co-founder and editor-in-chief Branislav ‘Branko’ Brkic was awarded the country’s prestigious Nat Nakasa Award, recognised for initiating the investigative collaboration after receiving the hard drive that included the email tranche.\r\n\r\nIn 2021, co-founder and CEO Styli Charalambous also received the award.\r\n\r\nDaily Maverick covers the latest political and news developments in South Africa with breaking news updates, analysis, opinions and more.",
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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having just wrapped up their second Hollywoodbets Super League title on the trot, Tshwane-based football side Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are now fully focused on defending their Caf Women’s Champions League crown.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The South African champions made history in 2021 when the competition was launched in Egypt, becoming the first club to lift the crown.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the inaugural season of the African women’s club football showpiece, Banyana Ba Style registered a 2-0 final victory over Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies to win the title. The South Africans achieved this feat without conceding a single goal.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this second edition, the competition they will face promises to be more challenging. They have already been handed a taste of some of the difficulties that await.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It wasn’t all smooth sailing as the team competed in the regional qualifier. They were defeated by</span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-08-12-sundowns-ladies-ready-for-stampeding-buffaloes-in-bid-for-cosafa-title/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zambia’s Green Buffaloes</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the final of the Southern Africa mini tournament.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1099072\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Soccer-Sundowns-Final2.jpg\" alt=\"sundowns women\" width=\"720\" height=\"421\" /> Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe celebrates with players during the 2021 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League semifinal match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Malabo Kings at Al Salam Stadium, Egypt, Cairo, on 15 November 2021. (Photo: Samuel Shivambu / BackpagePix)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Morocco, where the second edition of the Champions League is taking place, they can expect more of the same — with teams on the continent constantly improving.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Psychological boost</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sundowns will be relieved to head into the tournament knowing that the domestic league title has already been secured, with three games to spare. This means the team can focus all its energy on trying to defend its continental crown.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Psychologically, [wrapping up the league early] helps us because we can focus on the big one. Which is the Champions League. We don’t have to worry about trying to play catch-up games [when we return from Morocco]. Last year, it was the same thing. It gave us the chance to focus on winning the Champions League,” said</span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-12-06-historic-note-the-choirmaster-behind-sundowns-ladies-highly-harmonious-performance/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sundowns coach Jerry Tshabalala</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His sentiments on the convenience and mental advantage of going into the Champions League as national champions were echoed by club captain Zanele Nhlapho.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1074932\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/B21IDSS1542-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"sundowns women qualifier\" width=\"720\" height=\"392\" /> Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, winners of the 2021 Total Energies CAF Women’s Champions League Cosafa Qualifier final match between Black Rhinos Queens and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies at Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium, Durban, on 4 September 2021. (Photo: Samuel Shivambu / BackpagePix)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We are very excited that we have wrapped up the league as we prepare to compete in the Champions League. Although our league statistics are very good, it was quite difficult to achieve them this time around,” said Nhlapho.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Several teams faced us with low defensive blocks in a bid to negate our attacking prowess. Thus, teams were more difficult to beat. It shows that the league is improving as teams are investing in quality players and experienced coaches.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The competition will take place from 30 October, with the final scheduled for 13 November. It will be played across the cities of Rabat and Marrakech, with eight teams from the different Confederation of African Football zones taking part.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Visit </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage\"><b><i>Daily Maverick’s</i></b><b> home page</b></a><b> for more news, analysis and investigations</b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The teams are divided into two groups. Group A includes the host club ASFAR (Morocco), Simba Queens (Tanzania), Green Buffaloes (Zambia) and Determine Girls (Liberia).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, Masandawana have been drawn into Group B, alongside Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens, Egypt’s Wadi Degla and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s TP Mazembe.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The tough opposition we have faced in the Super League has given us a preview of what to expect in Morocco. Several teams will be looking to become the first to score against us and even dethrone us,” Nhlapho said in anticipation of the hurdles they may face in Morocco.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1074934\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/TL_1777788-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"sundowns women nhlapho\" width=\"720\" height=\"1082\" /> Club captain Zanele Nhlapho on 4 September 2021 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We are well aware that we will be facing some of the best women’s teams across the continent. Several new teams will be participating; therefore, we will have to be spot on with our tactics throughout the competition. We are not taking any team for granted and we need to be vigilant at all times in Morocco.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the next instalment of the Fifa Women’s World Cup less than a year away, many players taking part in the tournament will be keen to impress and possibly earn international moves that will better their chances of making their respective World Cup squads.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Sundowns’ coach Tshabalala, this hunger can massively bolster the quality of football that will be on display throughout the tournament. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It’s going to raise the level of the competition. Players will not go out there to play cautiously. They want to be selected for the World Cup. 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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having just wrapped up their second Hollywoodbets Super League title on the trot, Tshwane-based football side Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are now fully focused on defending their Caf Women’s Champions League crown.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The South African champions made history in 2021 when the competition was launched in Egypt, becoming the first club to lift the crown.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the inaugural season of the African women’s club football showpiece, Banyana Ba Style registered a 2-0 final victory over Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies to win the title. The South Africans achieved this feat without conceding a single goal.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this second edition, the competition they will face promises to be more challenging. They have already been handed a taste of some of the difficulties that await.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It wasn’t all smooth sailing as the team competed in the regional qualifier. They were defeated by</span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-08-12-sundowns-ladies-ready-for-stampeding-buffaloes-in-bid-for-cosafa-title/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zambia’s Green Buffaloes</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the final of the Southern Africa mini tournament.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1099072\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1099072\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Soccer-Sundowns-Final2.jpg\" alt=\"sundowns women\" width=\"720\" height=\"421\" /> Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe celebrates with players during the 2021 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League semifinal match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Malabo Kings at Al Salam Stadium, Egypt, Cairo, on 15 November 2021. (Photo: Samuel Shivambu / BackpagePix)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Morocco, where the second edition of the Champions League is taking place, they can expect more of the same — with teams on the continent constantly improving.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Psychological boost</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sundowns will be relieved to head into the tournament knowing that the domestic league title has already been secured, with three games to spare. This means the team can focus all its energy on trying to defend its continental crown.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Psychologically, [wrapping up the league early] helps us because we can focus on the big one. Which is the Champions League. We don’t have to worry about trying to play catch-up games [when we return from Morocco]. Last year, it was the same thing. It gave us the chance to focus on winning the Champions League,” said</span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-12-06-historic-note-the-choirmaster-behind-sundowns-ladies-highly-harmonious-performance/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sundowns coach Jerry Tshabalala</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His sentiments on the convenience and mental advantage of going into the Champions League as national champions were echoed by club captain Zanele Nhlapho.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1074932\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1074932\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/B21IDSS1542-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"sundowns women qualifier\" width=\"720\" height=\"392\" /> Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, winners of the 2021 Total Energies CAF Women’s Champions League Cosafa Qualifier final match between Black Rhinos Queens and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies at Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium, Durban, on 4 September 2021. (Photo: Samuel Shivambu / BackpagePix)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We are very excited that we have wrapped up the league as we prepare to compete in the Champions League. Although our league statistics are very good, it was quite difficult to achieve them this time around,” said Nhlapho.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Several teams faced us with low defensive blocks in a bid to negate our attacking prowess. Thus, teams were more difficult to beat. It shows that the league is improving as teams are investing in quality players and experienced coaches.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The competition will take place from 30 October, with the final scheduled for 13 November. It will be played across the cities of Rabat and Marrakech, with eight teams from the different Confederation of African Football zones taking part.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Visit </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage\"><b><i>Daily Maverick’s</i></b><b> home page</b></a><b> for more news, analysis and investigations</b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The teams are divided into two groups. Group A includes the host club ASFAR (Morocco), Simba Queens (Tanzania), Green Buffaloes (Zambia) and Determine Girls (Liberia).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, Masandawana have been drawn into Group B, alongside Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens, Egypt’s Wadi Degla and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s TP Mazembe.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The tough opposition we have faced in the Super League has given us a preview of what to expect in Morocco. 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"summary": "The second edition of the Caf Women’s Champions League kicks off this Sunday in Morocco. Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns are well aware of the target on their back, but remain ready to fend off all challengers.",
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Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe celebrates with players during the 2021 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League semifinal match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Malabo Kings at Al Salam Stadium, Egypt, Cairo, on 15 November 2021. (Photo: Samuel Shivambu / BackpagePix)
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, winners of the 2021 Total Energies CAF Women’s Champions League Cosafa Qualifier final match between Black Rhinos Queens and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies at Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium, Durban, on 4 September 2021. (Photo: Samuel Shivambu / BackpagePix)
Club captain Zanele Nhlapho on 4 September 2021 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)