November 24, (THEWILL) – Nigerian champions, Edo Queens made history at their first CAF Women’s Champions League appearance by defeating defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns before ultimately finishing fourth in Morocco.
The Nigerian side began their campaign strongly with a 3-0 victory over Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, featuring goals from Goodness Osigwe, Emem Essien and Folashade Ijamilusi. A goalless draw against Egypt’s FC Masar in their second match set up a crucial final group game against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The match against Sundowns proved to be the tournament’s most dramatic encounter.
After falling behind to Melinda Kgadiete’s 24th-minute goal, Edo Queens mounted an extraordinary comeback in added time. Captain Emem Essien equalised before Mary Mamudu struck the winner, eliminating the defending champions and sending the Nigerian side to the semi-finals.
The team’s outstanding group stage performances earned recognition for two players in the CAF Technical Study Group’s Best XI selection. Defender Cordelia Odoma and forward Emem Essien were named among the tournament’s top performers, alongside players from hosts AS FAR of Morocco and other participating clubs.
Head coach Moses Aduku led his team with tactical discipline throughout the tournament. Speaking before the semi-final against TP Mazembe, he maintained a measured approach: “We take it one game at a time. The players are ready and everybody is prepared. The 90 minutes will decide who wins.”
The semi-final against TP Mazembe started promisingly when Emem Essien scored her third goal of the tournament in the 65th minute, cleverly lobbing the goalkeeper. However, the dream of becoming the first Nigerian team to reach the final slipped away when Merveille Nanguji equalised with a header from a corner in the final minutes of regular time.
The match went into extra time, where misfortune struck. Super Falcons defender Comfort Folorunso turned the ball into her own net in the 101st minute, giving TP Mazembe the lead. Marlene Yav Kasaj then converted a penalty in the 120th minute to complete a 3-1 victory.
Following the semi-final loss, Coach Aduku reflected on the crucial moment that changed the match: “My girls played well, but unfortunately, we lost concentration right at the 90th minute. It is unfortunate, but that is football for you. It can happen to anybody.”
The defeat set up a third-place playoff against FC Masar, with significant financial implications. A win would have earned Edo Queens $350,000, while fourth place guaranteed $300,000. The match proved to be another tense affair, ending goalless after 90 minutes, despite Edo Queens creating numerous chances.
The penalty shootout saw FC Masar prevail 4-3, leaving the Nigerian champions to settle for fourth place. The result meant Bayelsa Queens remain the only Nigerian side to claim a podium finish in the competition’s history, having finished third in the previous edition.
Throughout their campaign, Edo Queens displayed remarkable defensive stability, going unbeaten in regular time during the group stages. Their goalkeeper, Omini Oyono, faced the fewest shots in the tournament during the group phase and needed to make just one save.
The attacking threat was led by Emem Essien, who finished with three goals in the tournament. Her performances, along with creative midfielder Esther Moses, who created six chances during the group stages, highlighted the team’s offensive capabilities.
The tournament’s increased prize money, totalling $2,350,000, reflected CAF’s investment in women’s football development across Africa. Despite missing out on the top three positions, Edo Queens’ performance marked significant progress for Nigerian clubs in continental competitions.
Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, praised the team’s efforts through his media aide, Crusoe Osagie: “I am happy with how far the girls have gone and the quality of the team we have. I am confident that we have a good team. They have shown potential for winning the African Women’s Champions League.”
The experience gained from this tournament run, coupled with the financial reward, provides a foundation for Edo Queens to build upon. Their achievement in eliminating the defending champions, reaching the semi-finals and finishing fourth demonstrate the growing strength of Nigerian women’s club football on the continental stage.
FC Masar coach, Ahmed Ramadhan, who guided his team to third place, acknowledged the quality of the competition: “This is a historic victory for us. We worked hard to get here, and this result shows that we are ready to compete with the best teams in Africa.”
For Edo Queens, while the tournament ended without a medal, their performances throughout the competition brought attention to the quality of Nigerian women’s football and set new standards for future participation in continental championships.
The team’s striker, Chioma Olise, remained optimistic throughout the tournament, stating before the semi-final: “The players are ready and they are happy to play in the semifinals. It means a lot, not only playing in the semifinals but just qualifying from the group is a great opportunity.”
Coach Aduku’s tactical approach and the team’s fighting spirit were evident throughout their campaign. Before their final group match against Sundowns, statistics showed that no Nigerian club had gone through an entire group stage without conceding a goal, making their defensive record particularly noteworthy.
The team’s participation in the tournament marked several firsts for Nigerian football, including being the first Nigerian club to avoid defeat in their opening two games at the finals. These achievements, combined with their dramatic victory over the defending champions, have established Edo Queens among the continent’s most competitive female teams. With the right investments of their prize money, it can only get better.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
