Again, Edo Queens tackle FC Masar for CAFWCL bronze medal

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

With the dream of creating their own history by reaching the finals and lifting the CAF Women’s Champions League (CAFWCL) trophy in their first appearance now evaporated like the early morning dews, Edo Queens are condemned to beat FC Masar in tomorrow’s 3rd place match at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi El Jadida, Morocco to claim the bronze medal or return home empty-handed.

The Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) champions were unable to qualify for the final of the 4th edition of the African elite club competition after they were defeated 3-1 by Congolese champions Tout Puissant Mazembe otherwise called TP Mazembe last Tuesday in the first semi-final clash.

The Moses Aduku-tutored team were leading Mazembe till 25 minutes to the end of the match when their opponents equalised to take the match to extra time and later scored two more goals to defeat Edo Queens 3-1.

Now, the West African Football Union (WAFU) B champions will have to avoid another loss and also try to equal the the 3rd place finish of Bayelsa Queens in 2022 when they beat Simba Queens of Tanzania 1-0 to take the bronze medal. No Nigerian club has reached the finals of the four-year old tournament.

Aduku and his wards know that anything short of taking the bronze medal will be termed to be a bad outing by their fans back in Nigeria as they showed early signs of going all the way after thrashing fellow debutantes Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) FC in the opening match of Group B.

But Edo Queens struggled in the second match against Masar as both clubs settled for a barren draw hence the 3rd place match between the two on Friday promises to be a huge encounter, although Aduku is talking tough.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday in Casablanca, Aduku insists that his team is not down and out, adding that he is putting finishing touches on his team tactics and formations to help them defeat their opponents to pick the bronze medal.

Said he: “Well, so far so good. We want to thank God for the place we found ourselves. We are not down and out yet. It’s a football game, you won some,  you lose some. We are not out yet, we are fighting for the 3rd place.

“So by tomorrow (Friday) I am expecting my girls to go all out and see how the can win the bronze medal.

“I know it’s not gonna be an easy one, the Egyptian team is also a good team. The last time we play them it was goalless  but I believe goalless will not give us a bronze. So, definitely, we need to go all out to win. We are putting finishing touches in our training this afternoon and we go out tomorrow to finish the battle”.

However, FC Masar will not be an easy meat for Edo Queens to chew as they have shown in their first meet that they can hold their own in this contest. Both defeated the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South and also lost their semi-final matches.

The Egyptian reigning champions owned Sir Mohamed Mansour, an Egyptian-born British billionaire businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, are poised to make a statement as they have everything going for them in terms of welfare and structure.

The team has a winning mentality having won three domestic trophies in a row including two Egyptian Women’s Cup in 2023 and 2024 and Women’s League in 2024 respectively hence they will not be a pushover side.

Led by highly tactical coach Ahmed Ramadan, former Egypt women’s national team head coach who has huge experience in club and national teams coaching will like to get something out of this encounter.

Exciting attacker Sandrine Niyonkuru who has scored in two matches will receive support from Yasmine Mohamed, Maya Ehab and Halla Mostafa to hurt Edo Queens if left unchecked.

This is why Aduku should select his best and fit players for this make or mar encounter even as Edo Queens should learn game management when they are leading a tough opponent and avoid a late collapse as was seen in the semi-final match  against TP Mazembe.

All eyes are on Edo Queens to give Nigerians a weekend gift by winning this last match to have a chance of making a podium appearance in Morocco.