- Agency Report
Nigeria’s Edo Queens came from behind to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies of South Africa 2-1 on Saturday to reach the semi finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The win, in their final Group B matchup at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, sends the South Africans out of the competition and unable to defend their title.
The resilient Edo Queens will now battle the dazzling Congolese powerhouse TP Mazembe on Tuesday.
In the pulsating Saturday clash, Sundowns looked to be cruising into the knockout phase after Melinda Kgadiete gifted them the lead in the 24th minute.
Needing to get back in the game, Edo Queens mounted pressure after pressure on their opponents’ goal area for an equaliser, but Sundowns remained resolute in defending to see out the first half.
Queens continued from where they stopped on resumption of play, pounding on Sundowns’ goal area in search of an equaliser.
Their efforts appeared to had paid off as the referee pointed to the penalty spot after an Edo player was completely cleaned out in the area by an opponent.
Up stepped team captain Chioma Oliseh to pull her side level but Sundowns’ goalkeeper Andile Dlamini guessed right to parry the ball away from goal into touch for corner kick.
All efforts by Edo to get back into the game yielded no dividend as Sundowns held firm.
Just when Edo Queens appeared to be on their way back home to Nigeria, two substitute strikers Emem Essien and Mary Mamudu combined in added time to save the day for the Ada Bendel.
Essien pulled her teammates level in the first minute of added time while Mamudu sent her winning effort into the roof of the net from close range to elicit some rapturous scenes among the Nigerian Ladies.
The win means Edo Queens finished first in the group B and qualified alongside FC Masar of Egypt while Mamelodi Sundowns finished third place and CBE of Ethiopia in fourth.
Up next for Edo Queens is a tricky clash against TP Mazembe while hosts ASFAR of Morocco will battle FC Masar of Egypt in the second last four tie. NAN