An exultant President of Nigeria Football Federation,
Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Sunday commended the extraordinary fighting spirit
of Nigerian champions Edo Queens in overpowering defending champions Mamelodi
Sundowns 2-1 on Saturday night, to reach the semi-finals of the ongoing CAF
Women’s Champions League competition in Morocco.
Edo Queens, who won the Nigerian title for only the
first time last season, went ahead to beat all comers to win the WAFU B Women’s
Champions League competition (a qualifying tournament for the continental
championship) in Cote d’Ivoire, and have now made it to the last four of the
dollar-spangled event.
“The NFF and the Nigeria football family are very
happy at the accomplishments of Edo Queens over the past months, from winning
the WAFU B title to reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions
League. We congratulate the Edo State Government and all those involved in this
remarkable progress of the team.
“The ladies exhibited the much-talked-about Nigeria
spirit to come from behind and defeat the Cup holders. Theirs is a statement in
resilience, determination and ambition. I believe they have been highly
inspired by that victory and have the capacity to go all the way and win the
title.”
Sundowns, who have reached, at least, the Final of
every edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League since the competition was
inaugurated in 2021, went ahead in the 24th minute through
Melinda Kgadiete, and held on to the advantage until the end of regulation
time. However, five minutes into added time, Emem Essien drew the Nigerians
level when her tenacity in the box paid off after the Sundowns’ goalkeeper
dropped the ball from a cross. Five minutes later, Mary Mamudu gave the Queens
victory by lashing into the roof of the net after a good run and pass by Super
Falcons’ forward Goodness Osigwe.
The win handed the Nigerian champions leadership of
group B, with the defending champions eliminated.
Edo Queens will take on TP Mazembe of DR Congo in the
first semi-final on Tuesday, at 4pm Morocco time, before AS FAR of Morocco
confront Masar of Egypt in the second semi-final three hours later.
In their first two matches of the competition, the
Queens defeated Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 3-0 and drew 0-0 with Masar FC of
Egypt.
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