Bayelsa Queens make history, qualify for CAF knockout stage

Nigerian Female Professional League Champions, Bayelsa Queens have made history by becoming the first Nigerian team to reach the knockout stage of the CAF Women’s Champions League.

This follows a 3-0 victory over Wadi Degla in their last game of the group in the ongoing competition in Morocco.

The Queens who were beaten by defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in their opening group B game fought back in their second game against TP Mazembe, winning 2-0 before sealed a semifinal spot with a resounding victory over Egyptian ladies Wadi Degla.

Juliet Sunday scored the only goal of the first half to put the Nigerian sides ahead before Itimi Mercy doubled the lead barely three minutes into the second half. Five minutes later, she netted her brace of the night to extend Queens’ lead to three goals.

The three goals were enough to send Bayelsa Queens into the next round of the CAF Women’s Champions League, finishing second in the group behind Mamelodi Sundowns, Peoples Gazette reports.

Rivers Angels became the first Nigerian club to participate in the eight-team elite competition, when they participated in the inaugural edition of the tournament last year but crashed out in the group stage.

However, Bayelsa Queens have now surpassed the continental feat which their local rivals were unable to achieve.

The Prosperity Girls will lock horns with ASFAR club of Morocco, who won all their three matches in the group stage for a place in the final on Wednesday 9th November, 2022.