Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership Champions, Edo Queens on Friday smashed Beninese Champions Ainonvi FC 3-0 to emerge winners of the WAFU B CAF Champions League qualification tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Nigerians who have had a sensational tournament dominated this final game decided at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake from start to finish but had to wait till first half stoppage time before getting their first goal of the game.
Team captain Suliat Abideen pounced on a pin ball inside the box to find the bottom left with seconds left to play in the first half before team’s top scorer Emem Essien doubled their advantage on the hour mark, poking home after Esther Inyang’s delightful flick came off the foot of the post.
Moses Aduku’s wards rounded off the scoring fourteen minutes from time when a half volley by Folasade Ijamilusi ricocheted off Ainonvi’s Elizabeth Ukandu to make for a comfortable 3-0 scoreline that reflected their dominance in the game.
With the win, Edo Queens picked the sole ticket available for WAFU B into the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League which will hold later this year at a yet to be determined venue.
Throughout the competition, Edo Queens mesmerised and thrilled all observers with their captivating brand of football spiced by the diligence of their very intelligent players. They scored fourteen goals in the five games played, conceding just one.
From the reliable Monle Oyono in goal to the defensive assurance of Valentino Uroko and Vera Samuel to the midfield steel of captain and leader Suliat Abideen to the sleek Kanu-esque moves of Inyang and the blistering pace and devastation of Ijamilusi and Emem Essien, Edo Queens played their opponents off the park in every game.
Even with the absence of equally exceptional talents such as defender Comfort Folorunso, midfielder Chioma Olise and attacker Chukwuamaka Osigwe due to national team duty, the Edo team were simply too hot for their opponents to handle – their simplicity, technical superiority, athleticism and even captivating celebration styles were joy to behold.
They will now look to surpass any Nigerian team at the Champions League level by attempting to reach the final of the continental showpiece.
