Nigeria’s Edo Queens put up a dominant display to dispatch fellow debutants Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE FC) 3-0 at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca in their Group B opener in the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League on Sunday, Afrosport reports.
Moses Adukwu’s ladies took the lead inside five minutes courtesy of Emem Essien, who finished off a sweeping cross from Super Falcons forward Folashade Ijamilusi.
The Nigerian champions extended their lead nine minutes into the second half restart, with Ijamilusi sending the ball into the roof after a beautiful exchange of passes with Esther Moses.
They put the game beyond their opponents with about 10 minutes left on the clock, as 17-year-old substitute Chukwuamaka Osigwe unleashed a left-footed strike that went beyond the reach of the goalkeeper after controlling a ball from Moses.
🇳🇬 Debutants @EQFCofficial secure a big win in their first #CAFWCL2024 match. 👏 pic.twitter.com/j3cRW7dLB7
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) November 10, 2024
Edo Queens, who are parading the youngest team in the tournament, cruised to a well-deserved victory, with Essien winning the Player of the Match award.
The victory took Edo Queens to the top of the group standings, while Egyptian club FC Masar sits in second place after sealing a famous 1-0 win over defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in Sunday’s other game.
A penalty in first-half stoppage time from Sandrine Niyonkuru was all it took for Masar to stun their South African counterparts.
Updated Group B standings following today’s games. 👇 #CAFWCL2024 pic.twitter.com/QaKA4HmeP0
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) November 10, 2024
Meanwhile, on Saturday, TP Mazembe got off to a great start in El Jadida following a 2-0 win over the University of the Western Cape in the tournament’s opening match.
The Congolese side, returning to the competition after their 2022 appearance, secured victory thanks to second-half goals from Lacho Marta as well as a late strike from Marveille Nanguji.
Elsewhere, 19-year-old Doha El Madani scored twice, and veteran Moroccan defender Aziza Rabbah converted a penalty as AS FAR defeated Aigles De La Médina of Senegal 3-0.
Matchday 1 of #CAFWCL2024 concluded. 🥰
Have your team bagged the 3 points? pic.twitter.com/HpdlPHgWLP
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) November 10, 2024