Reigning Nigeria Women’s Football League holders Bayelsa Queens have kicked off their campaign in the West Africa Football Union Zone B CAF Qualifiers, which will take place Ivory Coast.
The Prosperity Girls, who recently emerged champions of the 2024/25 NWFL season following a 4-1 thumping of Naija Ratels in the final round of the Super Six playoffs, will be looking to win the regional tournament, which will guarantee them a spot in next season’s CAF Women’s Champions League.
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Leading the charge for head coach Busari Hakeem Ishola’s side is club skipper Blessing Ilivieda, who control affairs in the heart of defence joined by the fellow defenders Florence Alexander, Jennifer Oliver, Otega Okoko, Semilore Bumi, Amblessed Ogbonnaya, Sefiat Idris, and Chinyere Iheoma. The quartet of Monle Omini, Linda Jiwuaku, Agatha Thompson and Slyvia Echefu are the goalkeepers lined up for the Yenagoa-based outfit.
Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens FC recorded a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ghana’s Police Ladies FC at the iconic Charles Konan Banny Stadium was a battle between two west African rivals
Falconets star Shakirat Moshood gave Bayelsa Queens the lead in the 12th minute with a clinical finish, the eventual Player of the match award, sets the tone as they took a 1-0 halftime lead with the second goal in the 62nd minute through Emem Essien with a composed finish.
Police Ladies mounted a spirited comeback, pulling one back in the 67th minute through Mercy Berko.
Asides targeting qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League, Bayelsa Queens will be aiming to win a second regional crown, having previously emerged champions during the second edition of the tournament in 2022. Edo Queens claimed the 2024 edition of the tournament, after defeating Ainonvi FC of Benin Republic 3-0 in the final.
Winners of the tournament will secure automatic qualification for the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League.
