CAFWCL Qualifiers: Edo Queens beat ASEC Mimosas, reach next round

Nigeria Women’s Football League champions Edo Queens continued their impressive run in the WAFU-B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers after securing a deserved 3-1 victory over Ivorian champions ASEC Mimosas in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The encounter, played at the Stade du 4 Août, lived up to its billing in the early stages, with both sides producing an entertaining end-to-end contest.

However, it was Edo Queens who found the breakthrough in the 23rd minute through former Robo Queens forward Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, who powered a thumping header into the net following excellent work down the flank and a well-delivered cross.

ASEC Mimosas continued to threaten and created several opportunities. Still, their wastefulness in front of goal proved costly as Edo Queens punished another defensive lapse to double their advantage four minutes before half-time.

Doorshima Tarnum was at the right place at the right time in the 41st minute, finishing off a well-worked team move with a simple tap-in into an empty net.

The two-goal advantage gave Edo Queens control heading into the break, but ASEC Mimosas returned after half-time, determined to force their way back into the contest.

Their persistence finally paid off in the 83rd minute when Doudou Yeti pulled one back, giving the Ivorians hope of producing a late comeback.

Edo Queens, however, remained composed and never allowed the defending champions to build sufficient momentum for an equaliser.

Instead, the Nigerian champions restored their two-goal advantage and put the contest beyond doubt with Oluebube Umajiaku finding the net 11 minutes from regular time to seal a convincing 3-1 victory.

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The result takes Edo Queens to six points from two matches, putting the Nigerian champions in a strong position to progress from Group B and move closer to another appearance at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.

For defending champions ASEC Mimosas, the defeat leaves their qualification hopes hanging by a thread, with the Ivorian side now facing the possibility of an early exit from the competition.