Edo Queens coach hails Essien’s impact

Edo Queens coach Moses Aduku has described striker Emem Essien as crucial to their run in the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League in Casablanca, Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Elated Aduku made this observation after the Nigerian champions reached the semi-finals of the tournament in a dramatic style on Saturday.

The NWFL champions eliminated defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns from the tournament by coming from behind to beat them 2-1 in stoppage time to advance to the next round.

After trailing the South Africans for most of the game, Essien grabbed the much-needed equaliser for Edo Queens in the 94th minute before Mary Mamudu nailed the South Africans with the second goal, seconds before the end of the game.

“Essien is a determined and skilled player. If you look at her size, you would underrate her, but I tell you, she is very crafty, and you can imagine with her size we are playing her as a top striker and she is delivering. She did that during our Super 6 in Nigeria as well,” Aduku said after the game.

“Generally, we don’t build the team around a player, but she’s been crucial.”

Essien’s equaliser was her second goal of the tournament, and she was also named Player of the Match.

“I am happy; I am happy; that is all I can say. We didn’t believe this would happen, but with the spirit of never giving up, we did it,” the delighted striker said after the game.

Edo Queens will face TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo in the semi-finals on Tuesday, and Aduku has again emphasised how much they need to improve their conversion rate.

“One more game to the final; it won’t be easy, and we are going to go into our plans for the next game. It will be tough, we know,” the coach said.

“Honestly, we need to work on our goal conversion. Clear-cut chances that we should have scored; we will work to improve on that.”

Edo Queens will now look to become the first Nigerian side to reach the final of the continental competition as they continue their quest for the title.

Moses Aduku’s team became the second Nigerian club along with Bayelsa Queens in 2022 to reach the knockout rounds, the first Nigerian club to progress without losing a single game at the tournament, and the first Nigerian club at the finals to avoid defeat inside their first three games.