Bayelsa Queens fought back from a goal down to beat Burkina Faso’s USFA 2-1 to reach the CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU-B final, www.aclsports.com reports.
A defensive mix-up in the second minute gifted USFA the opener, with Comfort Yeboah tucking the ball away to give the Burkinabé side an early lead.
Bayelsa pushed for an immediate response and drew level in the 15th minute. Emem Essien peeled away from her marker to head home a fine cross from Shakirat Moshood, her second goal of the tournament.
USFA continued to trouble the Nigerian champions with their pace, skill, and physicality, but Bayelsa created the better openings and wasted a number of chances to go in front before the break.
The turning point came in the 62nd minute when USFA failed to clear their lines, and the ball fell kindly to Janet Akekoromowei, who drilled a low strike past the goalkeeper to seal the comeback. It was her third goal of the tournament and proved decisive.
USFA almost snatched an equaliser late on from a free-kick, but Bayelsa held firm to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory. For the second game running, striker Janet Akekoromowei was named Player of the Match.
In the day’s other semifinal, Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas defeated Ghana’s Police Ladies 4-1. After taking a narrow 1-0 lead into the break, ASEC added two quick goals in the second half. Police Ladies pulled one back to make it 3-1, but the Ivorians restored their three-goal cushion with a late strike to seal the win.
Bayelsa Queens will now face ASEC Mimosas in the final on Friday, September 5, while Police Ladies and USFA will battle for third place earlier the same day. The winner of the final will represent the WAFU-B region at the CAF Women’s Champions League.
