CAF WCL: Aduku hails players despite heartbreaking defeat

…switches focus to $.3m third-place match

Edo Queens coach Moses Aduku has turned his attention to Friday’s third-place playoff against FC Masar at the CAF Women’s Champions League following their heartbreaking 3-1 semi-final defeat to TP Mazembe, The PUNCH reports.

The Nigerian champions surrendered a one-goal advantage in the closing minutes of regulation time before conceding twice in extra time to miss out on a historic final appearance in Morocco on Tuesday.

“Sometimes in football, you don’t get the thing you want. This was not the result we expected. My girls played well but unfortunately, we lost concentration right at the 90th minute. It’s unfortunate, but that’s football for you. It can happen to anybody,” Aduku told journalists after the match.

Emem Essien had given Edo Queens the lead in the 65th minute with her third goal of the tournament, lobbing the goalkeeper to put the Nigeria Women Football League champions ahead. However, their hopes of becoming the first Nigerian side to reach the final were dashed when Merveille Nanguji headed home from a corner in the dying moments.

The match swung decisively in TP Mazembe’s favour during extra time as Super Falcons defender Comfort Folorunso turned the ball into her own net in the 101st minute before Marlene Yav Kasaj sealed victory from the penalty spot.

“I told them (towards the end of the game) actually, I told them the game is over, put the ball sideways all through, the ball should not be out, but they conceded that cheap corner kick,” Aduku added.

“But like what I said, in football sometimes you can say everything, but when you get into the field, they just try to play their best, they put in a good football display today, very good, but goals count, and we’re out.”

Despite the disappointment, Edo Queens still have the opportunity to match Bayelsa Queens’ achievement from 2022 by securing third place. Victory over FC Masar, whom they drew 0-0 with in the group stage, would see them pocket $350,000 in prize money.

“One thing I understand about football is that I’ve been in business for so long. I believe sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But the way you win and the way you lose matters,” Aduku added.

“For today (Tuesday), I give kudos to my players. Though we lost, it was against the run of play. The team that got the opportunities took them.”

The third-place playoff takes on added significance as both teams seek to end their campaign on a high note, with FC Masar also nursing the wounds of their own semi-final heartbreak in a 2-1 defeat to AS FAR.

Edo Queens’ impressive tournament run has already seen defender Cordelia Odoma and three-goal striker Essien named in the group stage Best XI by CAF’s Technical Study Group, highlighting the quality in their ranks despite Tuesday’s setback.

The tournament concludes on Saturday with TP Mazembe facing AS FAR in the final, where the winners will claim the prestigious trophy and a $600,000 prize.