Edo Queens' continental dream dashed by TP Mazembe
Despite a promising start, with Emem Essien scoring the opening goal, Edo Queens couldn't hold on to their lead
Edo Queens hopes of becoming the first Nigerian team to reach the final of the CAF Women's Champions League were dashed after a late equalizer from TP Mazembe sent their semi final match on Tuesday into extra time.
The Congolese side ultimately triumphed 3-1.
Despite a promising start, with Emem Essien scoring the opening goal, Edo Queens couldn't hold on to their lead.
TP Mazembe's resilience and clinical finishing proved decisive, as they scored two goals in extra time to secure victory.
While the defeat is undoubtedly disappointing, Edo Queens' participation in the tournament has been a significant milestone for Nigerian women's football.
Their impressive performance, especially in the group stage, has showcased the growing talent and potential of Nigerian female players.
Financial Boost
This year's CAF Women's Champions League offers a substantial prize pool of $2.35 million, a 52% increase from the previous edition.
This increased financial reward demonstrates CAF's commitment to developing women's football in Africa.
Even though Edo Queens didn't reach the final, a third-place finish could still earn them a significant prize money of $350,000 (over N580m), a substantial boost for the club and Nigerian women's football as a whole.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, Edo Queens and Nigerian women's football have a bright future. The experience gained from participating in the CAF Women's Champions League will be invaluable for the team's development.
