Nigerian side Bayelsa Queens will be eyeing history when they take on AS FAR in the semi-final of the CAF Women’s Champions League on Wednesday.
The WAFU-B champions became the first Nigerian club to reach the last four of the competition and will be aiming to take it further when they file out against the Moroccans late.
Coach Domo Okara’s girls secured the semi-final ticket after grabbing two wins in three matches. The Prosperity Girls had lost their first tie to South African side Mamelodi Sundowns but bounced back to claim the second position in Group B of the continental tournament.
With just two matches away from glory, Okara is optimistic that the debutants can go all the way to becoming African champions even though he admitted the hosts are not pushovers.
“We know how difficult it is to play with the host, notwithstanding we are going to give our best to make sure we qualify for the finals. We respect the Moroccan team, they have very good coaches,” CAF quoted him as saying in a pre-match press conference.
“I have watched all their games closely, because before now and when we lost our first game I believe we could finish second and we would meet them in the semi-finals. My mind has been there all along and when watching, I take a close watch and see how I can get out of it.
“It has happened, it is now a reality and my take is we are going to give our best and I believe it will be good enough. They are a very good side but we are going to capitalise on our little advantage. I respect the Moroccan team but we will give our best.”
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9th of November. #CAFWCL semifinals.
🇲🇦 @ASFAR_Officiel 🆚 @bayelsaqueens 🇳🇬
Who’ll book their spot in the final? 🧐 #EmpoweringOurGame pic.twitter.com/tuedK732Q3
— #CAFWCL (@CAFwomen) November 8, 2022
On the other hand, high-flying AS FAR got all nine points on the plate, having won three of their Group A games. This will be a consecutive semi-final for the Moroccans. Against Bayelsa Queens, coach Mohamed Amine Alioua will hope his girls avoid another heartbreak following a last-four loss to Hasaacas Ladies in the maiden CAF Women’s Champions League last year in Egypt.
“Everything is going well in the preparations for this match against Nigeria. It is true that there, the degree of concentration and vigilance is high,” Alioua said in a pre-match press conference.
“We have to win our semi-final match to move on to the next stage. We’ve managed our workforce and we are on the right track and we will be ready for the game. “Our first two games in the group stage were indeed a bit tight for us. This semi-final for us will be a big challenge and the Bayelsa Queens is a strong and complete team in all its compartments.”
Wednesday’s game between AS FAR and Bayelsa Queens will start at 9 pm Nigerian time.