Edo Queens historic hunt for the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League title came to an end as they were defeated 3-1 by DR Congo’s TP Mazembe in the semi-final on Tuesday.
The Nigerian champions, who were on the verge of claiming victory and progressing to the final, were undone by a late equaliser from the Congolese club and an additional two goals in extra time at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco.
TP Mazembe grab a key win and advance to the finals. 🤯#CAFWCL2024 pic.twitter.com/1i76Eajtla
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) November 19, 2024
Edo Queens were the better side in the first half, which ended goalless, but both teams were unable to break the deadlock.
TP Mazembe thought they had the first goal of the game, but their second half effort was ruled out after a video assistant referee (VAR) review.
The Nigerians, however, leapt in front through red-hot forward Emem Peace, who got her third goal in the competition. The forward crept behind the Mazembe defence before lobbing the ball over goalkeeper Fideline Ngoy Mudimbi from a freekick in the 65th minute.
With victory within reach for Edo Queens, Mazembe forward Merveille Nanguji had other ideas as her bullet header off a corner kick levelled proceedings for the Congolese in the 90th minute to force extra time.
The Nigerian champions were the inferior side in extra time, as two more goals from Mazembe, including a penalty from Marlene Yav, were enough to book them a spot in the final.
𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗗!
🇨🇩 TP Mazembe secure their first-ever spot in the #CAFWCL2024 finals! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vfQMo9lc9B
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) November 19, 2024
Moses Aduku’s side will face FC Masar in the third-place match on Friday and will be aiming for a win having previously played out a goalless draw against the Egyptian side in the group stage.
Meanwhile, TP Mazembe will face the hosts and 2022 champions Morocco’s AS FAR, who saw off Masar 2-1 in the other semi-final match on Tuesday.
