Edo Queens Open WAFU-B Campaign with Seven-Goal Masterclass

Edo Queens Open WAFU-B Campaign with Seven-Goal Masterclass

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria’s Edo Queens made a commanding start to their WAFU-B Women’s Champions League qualifying campaign on Tuesday, dismantling Nigerien side AS Garde Nationale 7-0 in their opening Group B fixture in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Nigerian champions imposed themselves from the outset, combining quick attacking movements with clinical finishing to leave their opponents struggling to cope for much of the contest.

Chioma Moses set the tone after just five minutes, calmly finishing to give Edo Queens an early lead and immediately placing AS Garde Nationale under pressure.

The advantage was doubled deep into first-half stoppage time when Moses converted a penalty, giving the Nigerian side a comfortable 2-0 lead at the interval.

Edo Queens returned from the break with renewed intensity and effectively put the contest beyond their opponents within minutes. Atume Doosuur struck in the 47th minute to make it 3-0 before completing her brace nine minutes later.

Aminat Folorunsho then added Edo Queens’ fifth goal in the 62nd minute as the Nigerian champions continued to exploit gaps in the Nigerien defence.

Moses completed her hat-trick in the 76th minute, capping an outstanding individual display and further underlining her importance to Edo Queens’ attacking ambitions.

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi completed the rout in the third minute of added time, bringing the final score to 7-0 and giving Edo Queens one of the most emphatic opening victories of the qualifying tournament.

Moses the Difference-Maker

Moses was the standout performer, earning the Woman of the Match award after scoring three goals and consistently troubling the AS Garde Nationale defence.

Her treble was particularly significant for Edo Queens, who will need their leading attackers to maintain their form as the level of competition increases during the qualifying campaign.

The victory also provided an ideal start to Edo Queens’ latest pursuit of continental football. The Benin City-based side announced themselves on the WAFU-B stage in 2024 by winning the regional qualifying tournament on their debut.

They subsequently represented the zone at the CAF Women’s Champions League, finishing fourth in the 2024 edition. Their performances established Edo Queens as one of the emerging forces in African women’s club football and raised expectations ahead of their latest continental campaign.

Tougher Tests Ahead

Despite the size of their opening victory, Edo Queens face more demanding challenges in their remaining Group B matches.

The Nigerian champions are scheduled to face ASEC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa, two opponents expected to provide a significantly sterner examination of their credentials.

The results of those fixtures will be crucial to Edo Queens’ hopes of advancing from the WAFU-B qualifying tournament and moving one step closer to another appearance at the CAF Women’s Champions League.

For now, however, the message from Ouagadougou is unmistakable.

Edo Queens have arrived with confidence, attacking firepower and serious continental ambitions. And with Moses already finding the net three times, the Nigerian champions have given their WAFU-B rivals plenty to think about.