Edo Queens head coach Kennedy Boboye has expressed confidence in his team’s preparation ahead of their opening match against AS GNN of Niger in the WAFU Zone B Women’s Champions League Qualifying Tournament.
Speaking to the media ahead of the crucial encounter, Boboye said the Nigerian champions have undergone an extensive preparation programme since winning the domestic league, including a series of friendly matches designed to sharpen the squad ahead of the continental campaign, Sports247 gathered.
Read Also: Naija Ratels Star Oladeji Oluwabunmi Lands in Turkey, Joins Kayseri Kadın FK | Sports247 Nigeria
“It has been a long journey from winning the league in Nigeria, and we have played friendlies in preparation for the tournament,” Boboye said.
The coach stressed that his players understand the importance of the competition and the expectations surrounding the team, particularly as Edo Queens seek to build on their previous success in the WAFU-B competition.
“The girls know the importance of the tournament and millions of Nigerians are looking up to the team. They have promised to build on the team’s journey from the last two years’ success,” he stated.
Edo Queens have been drawn in a competitive group, but Boboye insisted that his side would approach the tournament one match at a time.
“We will take them one after the other despite being in a tough group,” he said.
The coach also acknowledged one of the challenges facing his technical team — limited information about their opponents. According to Boboye, some of the participating teams have limited online presence, making it difficult to obtain match footage for detailed analysis.
“The disadvantage is that the teams aren’t online to get some videos, but we are fully prepared,” he explained.
Boboye also highlighted the importance of managing pressure, particularly with the expectations surrounding the Nigerian champions.
“Every team wants to win, but taking the pressure off the players will help the squad,” he noted.
While Boboye was not the coach when Edo Queens won the WAFU-B title two years ago, he believes the current team has what it takes to create its own success story.
“I wasn’t the coach in the last two years, but we know we are going to do better. For us to be here, we have to start winning from the first match, and the girls are ready,” he said.
Edo Queens will therefore look to make a positive start against AS GNN, with Boboye confident that victory in the opening fixture can provide the foundation for another successful continental campaign.
The Nigerian champions are targeting qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League proper, and the journey begins with a crucial test against their Nigerien opponents.
