CAFWCL: Why Edo Queens must avoid complacency against FC Masar 

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist

Still berserking in the euphoria of their first win, complacency may only be the stumbling blocks between Nigeria’s Edo Queens and the quest for a semi-final ticket when they file out today against FC Masar of Egypt in their second Group B match in the ongoing Confederation of African Women’s Champions League (CAFWCL) in Casablanca, Morocco.

Edo Queens are going into the second match after they thrashed hapless Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) Ladies 3-0 in their opening game three days ago and by this becoming the first Nigerian club to win its first match in the new competition as Rivers Angels in 2021 lost 3-0 to AS FAR and in 2022 Bayelsa Queens lost 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in their opening matches respectively.

Although FC Masar also caused an upset in the opening day by defeating defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa 1-0, Edo Queens are leading on the log, thanks to the superior goals difference with the Egyptian club which also has the same three points.

Now, with Mamelodi Sundowns eager to return to the winning ways when they meet bottom of the table CBE earlier in the day, a wide scoreline against their opponents will take the South Africans above the Nigerian club as the group leadership may change before Edo Queens will play against FC Masar.

Both Mamelodi Sundowns and CBE lost their opening games and will be looking to bounce back as they face each other, in their second game in Group B.

For this reason, Edo Queens are condemned to approach the encounter with FC Masar with every seriousness it deserves by going for the jugular of the North African foes who have shown that they can hold their own against a top team like Sundowns and will like to be brave against Edo Queens too.

In their first-ever match at the continental level, debutantes, Edo Queens were in a devastating form with three goals from topscorer Peace Emem Essien in the 5th minute and Florence Folashade Ijamilusi in the 54th minute before substitute Chukwuamaka Osigwe scored from close range in the 80th minute earned the Queens a comfortable 3-0 victory at Laarbi Zaouli stadium in Casablanca.

Edo Queens coach Moses Aduku who made some tactical changes in the second half of the game against CBE which made the team to play better and scored more goals has to start his strongest team in the second match because the match will go a long way to determine if the club will make it to the semi-final with just three points if Mamelodi Sundowns defeat CBE and FC Masar defeat Edo Queens which is not impossible.

With quality players like Essien, Ijamilusi, Osigwe who scored a goal apiece in the first match against CBE and experienced players like Mary Magdelene-Anjor, Comfort Folorunsho, Miracle Usani, Blessing Ilivieda, Cordelia Odoma, Chioma Olise and goalkeepers Iyene Etim and Monle Oyono, Aduku can present a strong team that is capable to get a positive result to help the team today.

Should the team fumble against Masar, the final group game against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, November 16, 2024 will be tougher to approach, a situation which has made the match against FC Masar a must win by Edo Queens.