WAFU B Play-off: Delta Queens edge Athletico 3-2 to book final spot

WAFU B Play-off: Delta Queens edge Athletico 3-2 to book final spot

By Harry Awurumibe

Nigeria’s champions, Delta Queens FC survived a scare to come from a goal down and forcing the game to extra-time before  sealing a 3-2 victory over Athletico of Cote d’Ivoire today to book a place in the final of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B CAF Women’s Champions League  play-off at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo state.

Substitute Mercy Omokwo’s brace in the 63′ and 98′ as well as team captain, Taiwo Afolabi’s 106′ goal ensured that Delta Queens won the first semi-final match against the hard-fighting Athletico.

The Ivoriens went ahead early in the first half when Melissa Behinan scored in the 5′ to throw the entire stadium into mourning and the scoreline remained same till the half time.

 On resumption, coach Tosan Blankson made necessary changes and Omokwo equalised for the host team in 63′ to drag the match into extra-time after the regulation time did not produce a winner. 

Omokwo later put the Delta Queens ahead in the 98′ for the first time of the extra-time while Afolabi made it three goals in the  106′ but when it looked like the match has been put to bed, Athletico’s Joy Sunday struck in the 114′ to set up a nail-biting finish as Delta Queens ran away with a 3-2 victory to qualify for the final where they wait for the winner of the second semi-final tie between Ampen Darkoa of Ghana and Sam Nelly FC from Benin Republic.