Edo Queens eye title ahead CAFWCL opener

Edo Queens coach Moses Aduku is upbeat that the Nigerian champions could become the first Nigerian team to win the CAF Women’s Champions League as they kick off their campaign against Central Bank of Ethiopia on Sunday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The fourth edition of the money-spinning competition began on Saturday, and the Nigerian side will look to brighten their chances with a win in their first Group B game at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca, Morocco.

Edo Queens are the third Nigerian team to feature in the tournament after Rivers Angels in 2021 and Bayelsa Queens in 2022, with the country’s highest finish being a third-place record by the latter.

Speaking ahead of their opening game against CBE, Aduku said, “One of the things I do tell them is that every game should be treated as the only game, so they have to give their best for us to remain in the competition. The team is good, and everybody is ready to go.

“I think the women are catching up well in Nigeria. The Falcons are nine-time champions in Africa, and we want to replicate that at the clubside level as well. Nigeria has not won the CAF Women’s Champions League, but that is why we are here.”

After their debut appearance against fellow debutants CBE, the NWFL and WAFU B champions will square up against another first-timer, FC Masar of Egypt, three days later before tackling title holders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa on November 16 at the same venue.

“We are going with everything. We know our opponents, and as we say in the local parlance, ‘I get am before no be property’—meaning t that you’ve been there doesn’t mean you will be there forever. It’s a new game, a new competition, our style of play; you will see it and enjoy it,” he added.

Team captain, Efemweokiekie Osakpolor, also said they are motivated by their tough route to the Champions League.

“Playing the league in Nigeria, the first round was very tough for us, and nobody thought we could qualify and all that, but we did it by winning the league, and we also went to Ivory Coast to rule West Africa. I will say we are very prepared, and we are not thinking about the status of who we are meeting.”

Edo Queens are already guaranteed a handsome $150,000 participating fee and will scoop more money as they progress in the competition that will see the winner smile home with $600,000, runners-up $400,000, and third-placed $35,000 aside from other monetary incentives.