By Nurudeen Obalola
Nigeria’s Edo Queens have advanced to the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League following a dramatic 2-1 victory over holders Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday in Casablanca, Morocco.
The Nigeria Women’s Football League champions were on their way out of the competition after going 1-0 in the first half, but two goals in stoppage time turned it around, with Sundowns eliminated instead.
The South African side, who have won the competition twice in three years, needed victory to advance to the last four stage, and got in front in the 24th minute through Melinda Kgadiete.
Edo Queens had the perfect opportunity to pull level in the second half, but the tournament first-timers missed a penalty and looked to be down and out.
Peace Emem applied the telling touch during a scramble in the Sundowns box to equalise for Edo Queens at the start of added time, and the draw would have been enough to see them through.
With Sundowns desperately in search of the goal that would give them victory and progress to the semi-finals, they left big gaps in their defence.
Edo Queens took full advantage, breaking down the left, with Mary Mamudu touching home for the winning goal deep into added time.
With the victory, Edo Queens finished on top of Group B with seven points, the same as Egypt’s FC Masar but with a better goal difference.
The Benin City side, the first Nigerian club to reach the knockout stages of the continental competition, will face TP Mazembe in the semi-finals on Tuesday, avoiding hosts and 2022 champions AS FAR of Morocco.
