Nigeria Women Football League 2024 Champions, Edo Queens of Nigeria will take on As Garde FC of Niger Republic on Sunday in the CAF Women Champions League WAFU B qualifier as they begin their journey to regional glory, Sports 247 reports.
The competition, in its fourth edition will serve as the WAFU B qualifying tournament for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League where the winner will emerge as the sole representative of the West African region in the 2024 CAF Women Champions League.
Edo Queens FC, who are making their debut in the competition, are hoping for a great start in the competition which will put them in a good position to qualify from their group.
Having bolstered their squad with 14 new signings and have been in closed camp for over a months preparation for the competition, Emem Essien says the players are ready and determined.
” The team is ready, determined, and focused!” said Emem Essien , The Nigeria Champions midfield maestro who emerged as Nigeria Super Six Play Off MVP.
The same sentiment was shared by the team captain , Suliat Abideen when spoke with the team media.
The hardworking player reveals that the group is focused on the goal of returning with the regional trophy and returning Nigeria to the elite Women Club competition , a year after Delta Queens failed in their attempt.
A winning start at Stade de Paix in Bouake against the Niger Side today is almost non-negotiable as it will boost Edo Queens chances of qualifying for the Semi Finals.
The other two teams in the group , Hassacas of Ghana and AO Entincelles of Burkina Faso are two experienced sides in the competition, and both will cancel themselves out on Sunday at 3 pm in the group’s first match of the day as the Semi Final will only Accommodate two teams from the group.
No doubt, the Ghanaian side in the competition are the clear favorites to win the competition as they have dominated the WAFU B qualifiers since its inception but the tournament offers Edo Queens a chance to wrestle the sole ticket from the formidable Ghanians and restoring Nigeria pride as the best Women football playing nation of the West Africa region.
Meanwhile hostilities began on Saturday as the Benin Republic Champions, Ainonvi FC defeated the host Inter Abidjan 2-1 at the Stade de la Paix de Bouake.
The shocking loss left the host in a precarious position of not qualifying from their group.
Ainonvi now tops Group A and needs to avoid defeat in their last game of the group game against As Kozah of Togo to secure a place in the Semi Final of the competition.
The winners of the top division of Women Football League in Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast Togo and Benin Republic are in the competition battle for the tournament Trophy beginning from August 10 through August 23 and will proceed to represent in the 2024 CAF Women Champions League.
