The Women’s Libertadores launches today in Ecuador, and Colombia eyes a title last won in 2018. Deportivo Cali and Independiente Santa Fe will represent the nation, but arrive with different outlooks: the sugar‑makers are among the favorites, while the Bogotá side must navigate a tough group.
From the quarter‑finals onward, matches are single‑leg ties.
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What can Colombia expect in the Women’s Libertadores?
Deportivo Cali emerges as Colombia’s strongest side. The club clinched its third straight league title in September and added a fourth star after beating Santa Fe. Their recent domestic run and a 2025 continental runner‑up finish fuel their ambitions.
Forward Ingrid Guerra, who netted 15 goals in the latest league, leads the attack alongside players like Melanin Aponzá and Paula Medina. However, the sugar‑makers miss goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo, a key figure in the previous Libertadores.
The draw also favored Cali, placing them in Group D with Libertad (Paraguay), Nacional (Uruguay) and Universidad de Chile – the same opponents from the 2025 first stage, where they earned seven points and topped the group. They debut Friday 16 against Libertad, then face Nacional on the 19 and Universidad de Chile on the 22.
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Santa Fe faces a tougher road. They sit in Group A with Caracas, Colo‑Colo and three‑time champion Corinthians. The leonas open against Caracas today, then meet Colo‑Colo on the 18 and the Brazilian side on the 21.
To meet the challenge, Ómar Ramírez’s squad added players such as Manuela González, Wendis Cabrera, Kelly Ibargüen and Jimena Ospina. González scored over ten league goals and promises to boost an attack that must seize every chance.
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History fuels optimism. Santa Fe finished runner‑up in 2021 and 2024, both losses to Corinthians. Cali reached the 2025 final but fell to the Brazilians on penalties. Colombia’s only Libertadores title remains Atlético Huila’s 2018 triumph. América de Cali and Formas Íntimas have also contested finals.
Brazilian dominance is the biggest hurdle: their clubs have claimed 14 of the last 17 editions. Deportivo Cali appears best positioned to go deep, while Santa Fe will need a shock from the group stage to prove they can chase the crown again. For my money, Cali has the best chance to reach the final.
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