CAF WCL Qualifiers: Edo Queens to play S/Final against Inter D'Abidjan

Posted : 19 August 2024

Red-hot Edo Queens FC, the Nigerian representatives in the 2024 Confederation of African Football Women's Champions League WAFU-B play-off, edged out Omnisports Etincelle of Burkina Faso 1-0 in Côte d'Ivoire to top Group B with 9 points, securing a place in the semifinals where they will face Inter D'Abidjan on Tuesday.

The Nigeria Women Football League champions completed the group stage of the WAFU-B CAF Women’s Champions League Qualifiers without dropping a point or conceding a goal.

The Ladies from the ancient city of Benin gave a good account of themselves in the group stage on Saturday in Abidjan by scoring a total of 10 goals.

They started their campaign in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with a 5-0 thrashing of AS Garde Nationale of Niger Republic before defeating Hasaacas Ladies from Ghana, formerly known as the Gold Coast, 3-0 in their second group game.

The Ladies from the Land of the Upright Man, Omnisports Etincelle, couldn't hold the Godwin Obaseki Queens, leaving the field unhappy.

Meanwhile, Ghanaian champions Hasaacas Ladies failed in their attempt to secure qualification for the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League despite winning their group game.

Hasaacas thrashed Niger’s AS Garde Nationale 6-1 in their final Group B game on Saturday afternoon.

However, the result still leaves them short of a place in the semifinals, with second-placed Omnisports Etincelle boasting a superior goal difference after both teams finished on four points each.

Fatoumata Tamboura opened the scoring for the Hasaacas Ladies after over 20 minutes of play before Grace Animah and Comfort Owusu scored in quick succession to make it 3-0. AS Garde pulled a goal back before the first half ended.

After the break, Comfort Owusu scored again to restore Hasaacas’ three-goal advantage.

The Ghanaian side had several opportunities to extend their lead but failed to convert their chances.

In additional time, Animah and Abigail Sakyiwaa found the back of the net to make it 6-1, but it was not enough to change the team’s fortunes as the game ended 6-1.

Hasaacas will now turn their attention to domestic competition after failing to secure a return to the Champions League stage.

In Group A, Inter D’Abidjan booked their place in the semifinals of the WAFU Zone B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers after a remarkable 4-3 comeback victory against Togo’s AS Kozah in their final group match in Bouaké.

The Ivorian side found themselves trailing by three goals at halftime, with AS Kozah dominating the first half through goals from Solim Kadanga, Tatiana Kayaba, and Kpandjapou Gbati.

However, Inter D’Abidjan emerged from the break with renewed determination, launching a spirited comeback led by Esperance Cousso Agbo, who netted a stunning hat-trick. Melissa Sandrine Behinan added a fourth goal, sealing the comeback and ensuring their progression to the next stage.

Despite the defeat, AS Kozah’s Ijeoma Anagha was named Player of the Match, recognizing her influential role in the first-half performance.

With this victory, Inter D’Abidjan finished the group stage with three points, securing second place behind Benin’s Ainonvi FC, who topped Group A with six points.

Inter D’Abidjan will now face Nigeria’s Edo Queens FC, the Group B leaders, in a highly anticipated semi-final clash on Tuesday, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the main CAF Women’s Champions League tournament later this year.

CAF WCL Qualifiers: Edo Queens to play S/Final against Inter D'Abidjan

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