CAFWCL: Edo Queens vs TP Mazempe Preview

Nigeria’s flagbearer in the CAF Women’s Champions League, Edo Queens will today, November 19, 2024, face TP Mazempe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in a semifinal clash by 15:00 hrs at the Laarbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca, Morocco, for a chance to make it to the final in their debut year.

Debutante, Edo Queen who have had a stellar start to their maiden edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League topping Group B with seven points after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the final group game, will be looking to move more mountains by becoming the first Nigerian club to make it to the final of the competition.

Fellow Nigerian side, Rivers Angels bowed in the group stage at the first edition of the competition while Bayelsa Queens were eliminated at the semi-final stage two years ago.

Speaking ahead of the semifinal clash, Coach Moses Aduku said his side will take every game one at a time.

“First, we want to thank God for bringing us this far,” Aduku said. “The last game was tough; winning it in the last minute was no small feat, and now we’re through to the semifinals for the first time.”

” But like what I said in the first press briefing, [we take it] one game at a time, and this is the fourth game, we will approach it the same way, while correcting our mistakes at the same time, what we did well, we improve on it,” he said.

Aduku added: “We are good to go, the players are good, everybody’s ready and the 90 minutes will decide who wins.”

Adding to the success Edo Queens have enjoyed so far in the competition, players Cordelia Odoma and Emem Essien were named among the top 11 performers of the group stage in the ongoing 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco.

Essien was instrumental in Edo Queens’ advancing, scoring a vital late equaliser against Mamelodi Sundowns, taking her tournament goal tally to two.

On their part, The Congolese outfit TP Mazembe, also made history by reaching the semifinals for the first time, showcasing resilience and tactical strength throughout the group stage, finishing behind hosts, AS FAR.

TP Mazembe in 2022 suffered a 2-0 defeat in the hands of fellow Nigerian Side, Bayelsa Queens in the group stage of the competition and will be looking to avoid a similar result.