Nigerian club Bayelsa Queens became the seventh club to qualify for the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League over the weekend following a 3-0 victory over Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa in the final of the WAFA-Zone B regional qualifying tournament. All three goals were scored in the first half from Miracle Joseph, Flourish Sabastine and Chinyere Igbomalu as the Nigerian champions completed an undefeated run through the qualifying competition, booking their spot at the showcase for African women’s club football that will take place in Morocco starting in October.
It was a dominant victory for Bayelsa as they had no issues dispatching the Ghanaian club after the teams met earlier in the competition with a 0-0 draw in the group stage. Within ten minutes a golden opportunity was presented when a foul was committed by Ampem Darkoa in their penalty area, leading to a penalty kick that was excellently converted by Joseph. Before twenty minutes were complete it was 2-0 to Bayelsa when Sabastine ran on to a bouncing pass and lifted her finish past a stranded Safiatu Salifu in the Ampem Darkoa goal.
Bayelsa Queens dealt the knockout blow in the 42nd minute when a third goal left no way for their Ghanaian opponents to come back into the match. A long throw-in from the right wing was flicked on by a header from Igbomalu that was too strong for Salifu to keep out, who could only tip the ball back into her goal.
With the win Bayelsa Queens join hosts ASFAR of Morocco, Egypt’s Wadi Degla, reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Zambia’s Green Buffaloes, Simba Queens of Tanzania and Liberian club Determine Girls FC in the final tournament. One more spot is yet to be determined with the UNIFFAC region set to play their tournament starting next week. Highlights from Bayelsa Queens’ victory is below.
