Nigerian side Bayelsa Queens reached their first-ever semi-final in the CAF Women’s Champions League following a 3-0 victory over Wadi Degla at the Stade Prince Heritier in Morocco.
The Prosperity Girls won their second match of the tournament and needed victory on Sunday to seal passage to the last four.
Juliet Sunday scored in the first half while Mercy Itimi bagged a brace in the second half to give them the win over the Egyptian side who have never lost to a West African team before.
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History written as @bayelsaqueens qualify to their first-ever #CAFWCL semifinals! #EmpoweringOurGame pic.twitter.com/WkwvIn6203
— #CAFWCL (@CAFwomen) November 6, 2022
While the scoreline could have been four, Grace Igbomalu’s 90th-minute strike was chalked off after a VAR check spotted an infringement in the build. Mercy Itimi who just clinched a bronze medal with Nigeria at the U-17 Women’s World Cup in India was voted as the Player of the Match.
They reached the semi-final of the competition having amassed six points in three games in Group B. The feat makes them the first Nigerian club to reach the semi-final of the tournament. Coach Domo Okara’s side will now play the winners of Group A AS Far in Rabat on Wednesday.
A ‘Happy’ Man
The #CAFWCL semis chart is updated now 🥰
Check out the last 4️⃣ sides! 👇#EmpoweringOurGame pic.twitter.com/3MdNycBjb1
— #CAFWCL (@CAFwomen) November 7, 2022
After the match, Okara declared that he is a “happy” man even though he was unsatisfied with the first-half display.
“I am happy, really happy with my team,” he told CAF.
“Although we controlled the game with this goal in the first half, I was not satisfied with the level of play of the girls,” he added. “They fell easily. I wanted them to go all the way.”
In the other Group B game, holders Mamelodi Sundowns wiped TP Mazembe 4-0 to seal their dominance and continue the push for a title defence. The win ensured they grabbed all nine points at stake. Zanele Nhalpho, Lelona Daweti scored in the first half while Melinda Kgadiete and Salome Kekana bragged a goal each in the other half to cap off a fine performance for the South Africans who now face Simba Queens in the semi-final.
