WCL: Edo Queens’ Essien, Odoma top CAF Best XI

Edo Queens duo of Emem Essien and Cordeila Odoma have been shortlisted as one of the eleven top performers following the conclusion of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 group stages.  According to CAF’s Technical Study Group (TSG) Odoma alongside AS FAR’s Nouhaila Benzina, Shadia Nankya of FC Masar and Karabo Dhlamini of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies complete the back four as full-backs. The attacking trio is led by Edo Queens’ lethal Emem Essien, who is assisted by AS FAR teenage-star, Doha El Madani as well as Lacho Marta of TP Mazembe. UWC’s highly experienced Amogelang Motau anchors the midfield, just behind the attacking pair of AS FAR’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Sandrine Niyonkuru of FC Masar. AS FAR shot-stopper Khadija ER-Rmichi, with just one concession in the group stages, rightfully earns the goalkeeper position. The CAF TSG comprises various African football experts, including coaches, analysts, and technical advisors. The Best 11 is headlined by four AS FAR players, two each from tournament debutants, Edo Queens as well as FC Masar, while Mamelodi Sundowns, University of the Western Cape (UWC) as well as TP Mazembe make up the final 11. The CAF Technical Study Group also confirmed the best performing players and coach for the group stages as follows: Top Goalscorer Doha El Madani (5 goals) AS FAR #7 Best Player Sanaa Mssoudy AS FAR #18 Best Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi AS FAR #1 Best Coach Ahmad Ramadhan FC Masar The tournament enters the exciting knockout stages today (Tuesday), 19 November, when Edo Queens takes on TP Mazembe at 4pm Nigeria time before former champions AS FAR take on FC Masar at 7pm.

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Gusau charges Edo Queens to win CAF Women’s Champions League title

An exultant President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Sunday commended the extraordinary fighting spirit of Nigerian champions Edo Queens in overpowering defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on Saturday night, to reach the semi-finals of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League competition in Morocco. Edo Queens, who won the Nigerian title for only the first time last season, went ahead to beat all comers to win the WAFU B Women’s Champions League competition (a qualifying tournament for the continental championship) in Cote d’Ivoire, and have now made it to the last four of the dollar-spangled event. “The NFF and the Nigeria football family are very happy at the accomplishments of Edo Queens over the past months, from winning the WAFU B title to reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League. We congratulate the Edo State Government and all those involved in this remarkable progress of the team. “The ladies exhibited the much-talked-about Nigeria spirit to come from behind and defeat the Cup holders. Theirs is a statement in resilience, determination and ambition. I believe they have been highly inspired by that victory and have the capacity to go all the way and win the title.” Sundowns, who have reached, at least, the Final of every edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League since the competition was inaugurated in 2021, went ahead in the 24th minute through Melinda Kgadiete, and held on to the advantage until the end of regulation time. However, five minutes into added time, Emem Essien drew the Nigerians level when her tenacity in the box paid off after the Sundowns’ goalkeeper dropped the ball from a cross. Five minutes later, Mary Mamudu gave the Queens victory by lashing into the roof of the net after a good run and pass by Super Falcons’ forward Goodness Osigwe. The win handed the Nigerian champions leadership of group B, with the defending champions eliminated. Edo Queens will take on TP Mazembe of DR Congo in the first semi-final on Tuesday, at 4pm Morocco time, before AS FAR of Morocco confront Masar of Egypt in the second semi-final three hours later. In their first two matches of the competition, the Queens defeated Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 3-0 and drew 0-0 with Masar FC of Egypt.  

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CAF Women’s CL: Edo Queens draw defending champions, Sundowns, 2 others 

Nigeria’s representative, Edo Queens has been drawn against defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in Group B of the CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024.  Mamelodi Sundowns are aiming for a record third title, but must first overcome a tricky Group B consisting of three highly determined debutants in Tutankhamun of Egypt, Ethiopia’s CBE FC as well as the Edo Queens of Nigeria. The official draw of the CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 was officially conducted at the Complex Mohamed VI in Salé, Morocco on Friday, 18 October. The fourth edition of Africa’s premier women’s club competition will be hosted in Morocco between 09 – 23 November 2024 where eight (8) clubs consisting of champions of CAF’s Six Zonal joining hosts AS FAR as well as defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa to contest the coveted title. Winners will get USD 400 000 in prize money with runners-up walking away with USD 250 000.  The draw, which was conducted by former Morocco and ASFAR Player, as well as U23 Morocco Women’s National Team Assistant Coach, Fatiha Laasiri saw the qualified clubs drawn into the two groups of four where they will all be aiming at a top two finish to advance to the knockout stages. Tournament hosts and 2022 winners, AS FAR headline Group A consisting of two debutants in Aigles De La Medina of Senegal, as well as South Africa’s, University of Western Cape. TP Mazembe makes a return to the tournament after missing out on the last edition, as they make up the fourth club in Group A. CAF Women’s Champions League Egypt 2024 Draw Results:  GROUP A: AS FAR (Morocco), Aigles De La Medina (Senegal) TP Mazembe (DR Congo), University of Western Cape (South Africa) GROUP B: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Tutankhamun (Egypt), CBE (Ethiopia), Edu Queens (Nigeria)

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Morocco to host 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League 

The Confederation of African  Football (CAF) has announced that Morocco will host the 2024 edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League Finals. The CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 will be played between 09-23 November 2024. Morocco hosted the 2022 edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League – the premium women’s club football competition in Africa. Eight (8) Clubs will contest the top prize. Winners will get USD 400 000 in prize money with runners-up walking away with USD 250 000.  Mamelodi Sundowns are the current holders – having won the competition twice in three years. Morocco’s ASFAR is the other team that has won the Competition – back in 2022 when they defeated Mamelodi Sundowns. Since it’s inception, the CAF Women’s Champions League played a key role in shaping women’s football in Africa. Morocco’s hosting of the CAF Women’s Champions League follows the nation’s successful hosting of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 which also enjoyed unparallelled success. Six Zonal tournaments took place to qualify 6 teams in addition to the host and the holder of 2023 title to the FT of CAF WCL 2024. The following teams are qualified: CAF Women’s Champions League Qualified Clubs: Holders: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) Host : ASFAR (Morocco) WAFU A  : Aigles de la Medina (Senegal) WAFU B  : EDO Queens (Nigeria) COSAFA  : University of Western Cape (South Africa) UNAF   : Tutankhamun (Egypt) CECAFA: CBE FC (Ethiopia) UNIFFAC: TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

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Ademola Lookman scores first ever Champions League goal 

Nigeria international Ademola Lookman on Wednesday scored his first ever Champions League goal in Atalanta 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.  Lookman got the goal by finishing off a well-worked move that he had started with a back-heel flick. Earlier in the match, Lookman grabbed an assist before Raoul Bellanova completed a classic Atalanta move in a dominant Champions League performance over Shakhtar Donetsk. La Dea were already leading from the Berat Djimsiti chest and volley on a Lookman cross when they doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time on neutral turf in Gelsenkirchen. The third goal then arrived with a classic Gian Piero Gasperini move, as one wing-back set up the other, Bellanova at the back post to meet the Davide Zappacosta cross.

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