Nigerian Champions Edo Queens in a stunning performance defeated Defending Champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies of South Africa by two goals to one and secured a semi finals ticket of the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League in a dramatic comeback. The tension soaked match was played yesterday 16, November 2024 at the Labi Zaouli Stadium in Morocco.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies scored their goal in the 24th minute through Melinda Kagdiete and the defending champions held their slim lead till the dying minutes of the match before Emem Essien equalised in the referee added time which saw the title hope of the South Africa dashed.
Nigeria second and winning goal came through Mary Mamudu who pounced on a sloppy defending from a set piece to fire the Nigerians into the lead and seal an unforgettable victory over the defending champions in the last seconds of the added time.
The victory ensured that Nigerian Champions, Edo Queens finished at the top of Group B with seven points from three matches, having won two and draw one with superior goal difference of + 4.
Egypt’s FC Masar also sailed through to the semi finals after they defeated Central Bank of Ethiopia Ladies in the group second match played simultaneously at Ben M’ Hammed Abdi Stadium, El Jidda and finished second with seven points but with a goal deficit of – 2. Defending Champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies finished third with 3 points, while CBE ended their campaign without a point and an – 8 – goal difference.
With this feat Edo Queens becomes the second Nigerian Women Club side after Bayelsa Queens in 2022.
Edo Queens apart from becoming the first Nigerian Club not to concede a goal in their opening two games, they also become the first Nigerian Women Club side to avoid defeat inside their three matches at the group stage of the CAF Women’s Champions League
In the first Semi Final match that will be played on Tuesday, 19th November 2024 Edo Queens of Nigeria will battle TP Mazembe of DR Congo at 3 Pm local time.
In the second Semi Finals to be played by 6 Pm local time, it will be a North – African battle when hosts and 2022 Champions, AS FAR Rabat of Morocco takes on debutant FC Masar of Egypt.
The outcome of the two semi final matches will decide the two teams that will play in the final 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League the fourth edition of the annual African women’s association tournament organised by CAF . The winners of this edition will automatically qualify for the group stage of the following edition of the tournament in 2025.
For the record, this was the fifth time that Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies failed to go beyond the group stage and the first time a defending champions will be eliminated from the competition at the group stage
On the 3rd November, 2022 Bayelsa Queens defeated TP Mazembe by two goals to nothing in CAF Women’s Champions League game and earned their first win at that competition.
