Bayelsa Queens Reach CAF Women’s Champions League Semis
Nigerian side Bayelsa Queens defeated Wadi Degla of Egypt 3-0 to retain its position and confirm qualification for the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League, tagged Morocco 2022.
The Bayelsa Queens were second in Group B at the start of the game against Wadi Degla, and from the first minutes of play, Domo Okora’s ladies were asking all the questions against the Egyptians.
The Nigerians were rewarded in the sixth minute when Juliet Sunday tapped in for the opener, after keeper Kayley Cruz spilled the shot from Miracle Joseph.
In the 18th minute, a strong response from the Egyptians led by Ehab El Marghany saw Haley Roberson testing Bayelsa Queens goalkeeper Ange Bawou, but managed to push the ball away. The match remained 1-0 to the Nigerians at halftime.
Early in the second half, Bayelsa Queens’ Mercy Itimi broke through the entire Egyptian defence and fired the ball past the Wadi Degla goalkeeper for the second goal of the match, compounding the woes of Egyptians.
The Nigerians continued to dominated possession and were rewarded moments later. Itimi scored her second of the night when a run from substitute Blessing Ilivieda found her.
With the massive victory, Bayelsa Queens are in the semi-finals for the first time in their history and will face the hosts of the competition, the Moroccans of AS Far in Rabat.
“We want to bring the Cup to Nigeria,” Bayesla Queens’ Mercy Itimi, who was voted ‘Woman of the match’ said after the game.
“We have the advantage of knowing the identity of our next opponent (AS Far). It is a great team, but Bayelsa Queens are also a great team. Its going to be a great battle.”
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History written as @bayelsaqueens qualify to their first-ever #CAFWCL semifinals! #EmpoweringOurGame pic.twitter.com/WkwvIn6203
— #CAFWCL (@CAFwomen) November 6, 2022
The coach of Wadi Degla, Wael El Sayed, was in awe of the amazing football displayed by the Bayelsa Queens of Nigeria.
“Bayelsa Queens gave us a real football lesson,” El Sayed said. “They played like champions, I personally wanted to congratulate.”
In the other Group match, TP Mazembe of Congo were eliminated by Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, who continued their brilliant run in the competition with a 4-0 result.
Chidi Nwoke/CAF.
