Bayelsa Queens Clinch Bronze In CAF Women’s Champions League
Bayelsa Queens of Nigeria clinched the Bronze medal in the CAF Women’s Champions League after a 1-0 victory against Simba Queens in the third place match, at Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat, Morocco.
A second half strike from Juliet Sunday was all Domo Okara’s ladies required to silence their East African rivals and secure the consolatory bronze in Rabat.
Coming off their semi-final defeats, the Tanzanian and Nigerian champions were hoping to end their campaigns on a high and Bayelsa started stronger with chances from Glory Edet and Etim Edidiong inside the opening 10 minutes.
Simba recovered from the early pressure from the West Africans as they threatened through Asha Djafari and Opah Clement, but could not find the back of the net as both sides settled for a stalemate at half time.
The two clubs resumed the contest with an end-to-end battle until Juliet Sunday eventually broke the deadlock off a cross from Mercy Itimi in the 70th minute.
The Tanzanians pushed for an equaliser after going behind, but Clement’s powerful strike from the edge was turned over the bar by goalkeeper Bawou Gabrielle 10 minutes later.
In the closing stages, Bayelsa almost added the second through substitute Chinyere Igbomalu but she missed a sitter as her side ensure to preserve their slim lead to claim their golden bronze.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Bawou Gabrielle won her second Woman of the Match accolade in the tournament following her brilliant goalkeeping to ensure Bayelsa Queens celebrate the bronze on its maiden appearance in the competition.
🇳🇬 @bayelsaqueens = Nigeria’s first-ever #CAFWCL medalists 👏#EmpoweringOurGame pic.twitter.com/p9fJcz0EjT
— #CAFWCL (@CAFwomen) November 12, 2022
Chidi Nwoke/CAF.
