Governor of Nigeria’s Edo State Monday Okpebholo rewarded the women’s football team Edo Queens with 50 million naira for winning the WAFU-B zone qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League. The ceremony took place at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
Okpebholo congratulated the players, coaching staff and club representatives, stating that the team had brought glory to Edo State and Nigeria. He called the success the result of the players’ determination and fighting spirit.
Victory in the penalty shootout
Edo Queens won the WAFU-B title in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, after drawing 2:2 with Ghanaian club Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the final. The Nigerian team won the penalty shootout 4:1.
Ampem Darkoa took the lead as early as the second minute through a goal by Belin Nyarcko. Anastasia Doosur Atume equalised two minutes later. In the 74th minute, Nyarcko put the Ghanaian team ahead for a second time, but Oluebube Umejiaku scored in stoppage time, in the 94th minute, to send the match to a penalty shootout.
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On their way to the final, Edo Queens also thrashed USFA 5:1 in the semi-finals. In the group stage, the team lost 1:2 to Ampem Darkoa Ladies, but later defeated their opponents in the tournament’s decisive match.
Preparation for the continental tournament
The triumph in the regional qualification secured Edo Queens a place in the final stage of the CAF Women’s Champions League, which will take place in South Africa later this year. The team will represent the WAFU-B region there.
Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission Amadin Enabulele thanked the governor for supporting the club and stressed the need to immediately begin preparations for the continental tournament. The players, in turn, thanked Okpebholo for the financial reward and support after their victory in Burkina Faso.
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