Edo Queens staged a miraculous comeback to defeat defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on Saturday in the final round of group matches in the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco, Afrosport reports
The Nigerian champions entered the game needing only a draw, while Sundowns needed to secure maximum points in order to progress to the next round and keep their title defence hopes alive.
🔥 @EQFCofficial decide it in Casablanca! 🔥#CAFWCL2024 pic.twitter.com/AaG2HlSD1i
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) November 16, 2024
The South Africans looked like they would get their wish early on as Banyana Banyana midfielder Melinda Kgadiete put them in front in the 24th minute inside the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
However, Edo Queens coach Moses Aduku made some changes heading into the second half, and it paid off immediately as they were awarded a penalty, but midfielder Chioma Olise failed to convert her effort in the 53rd minute.
As the game headed for its dying embers, Emem Peace Essien drew Edo Queens level in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time, as her second goal of the tournament stunned their South African counterparts.
The Nigerians were clearly not satisfied with securing just a point, and their push for a winner was rewarded six minutes later as forward Mary Mamudu, who came on as a first-half substitute, scored the winner to complete the turnaround.
𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗗.
🇳🇬 Edo Queens’s debut semi-final spot secured! #CAFWCL2024 pic.twitter.com/MHmXZpajb1
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) November 16, 2024
The result ensured the Nigerian champions, who remained unbeaten as they top Group B with seven points after three games, progressed into the semifinals in their tournament debut.
Meanwhile, at the Stade El Abdi in El Jadida, Egyptian side FC Masar defeated Ethiopia’s CBE FC 2-1 to also finish the group stage unbeaten and with seven points.
The referee blows the final whistle! ✅#CAFWCL2024 pic.twitter.com/DLIm9K9Hqi
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) November 16, 2024
Masar got in front thanks to goals from Sandrine Niyonkuru and Yassmin Mohamed Hassanin, while Senaf Demise’s 95th minute strike for CBE turned out to be a consolation.
𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗗.
🇪🇬 FC Masar are semi-finalists for the first time ever! 🤩#CAFWCL2024 pic.twitter.com/9ePhn3e0oa
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) November 16, 2024
Edo Queens will be back in action once more on Tuesday, November 19, when they take on Group A runners-up TP Mazembe in the first semifinals, while Masar will face an uphill battle against hosts and 2022 champions AS FAR, who won Group A without dropping a point.
