Making thier very first appearance in the CAF Women’s Champions League competition, Bayelsa Queens lost 2-1 against defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies but they now have thier destiny in their hands as they face TP Mazembe for a chance to progress in a must win game for the Nigerian team.
Bayelsa Queens in Group B will face off with the Congolese club today at the Marrakech Grande stade, here’s thier H2H as given by CAF;
This will be the first meeting between TP Mazembe and Bayelsa Queens at the CAF WCL with the game also representing the first time that a team from the Democratic Republic of Congo will face a team from Nigeria at the CAF WCL.
What it means for TP Mazembe
The Democratic Republic of Congo champions TP Mazembe began their inaugural campaign at the 2022 CAF WCL with a 1-0 triumph over Egyptian club Wadi Degla, courtesy of a goal from Merveille Kanjinga in the 7th minute.
Victory for TP Mazembe could see them progress to the next stage of the competition as long as Mamelodi Sundowns do not lose against Wadi Degla, they will be assured of progress with a win for Sundowns Ladies.
A win for TP Mazembe will be the first occasion at a CAF senior women’s tournament that a representative of the Democratic Republic would win successive games or their opening two group games, at the 2006 WAFCON the DRC did not win any of their group games (D1 L2).
Why Bayelsa Queens Must Give It Thier All
This is thier only redemption chance for progress.
Bayelsa Queens will be looking to avoid the same fate as Nigeria’s other CAF WCL representative Rivers Angles who lost both their opening games in 2021, as they lost 3-0 to AS FAR and then 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
Bayelsa Queens managed to become the first team to score a goal against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies when Mary Anjor scored in the 81st minute of their 2-1 loss against the South African club.
Sundowns Ladies had not conceded a goal in their five games at the 2021 tournament.
Despite losing their opening game Bayelsa Queens had more shots on target (7) than their opponents Sundowns Ladies (4).
Bayelsa Queens had a 72.8% pass success rate in their first game.
Blessing Llivideva was Bayelsa Queens most influential player in their opening game, completing 35 passes more than any of her team- mates, as well as 4 good long balls a joint high for a team. She also shared the most passes between her and her teammates, she made at least 8 passes to three of her colleagues.
