Bayelsa Queens of Nigeria opened their CAF Women’s Champions League – WAFU B Qualifiers with a crucial 2–1 victory over Ghana’s Police Ladies, setting the tone for a competitive tournament in Abidjan.
The Prosperity Girls wasted no time in stamping their authority, with forward Shakirat Moshood breaking the deadlock in the 12th minute. The goal came after sustained pressure in the Ghanaian half, as Bayelsa Queens capitalised on their fluid attacking play.
Building on their momentum, the Nigerian champions continued to control possession and looked the more threatening side going into the break.
The second half began with Bayelsa Queens pressing for a cushion goal, which came in the 62nd minute when Emem Essien found the back of the net with a composed finish, doubling their advantage.
But the Ghanaians refused to roll over. Mary Berko of Police Ladies reduced the deficit in the 67th minute, punishing a brief defensive lapse from the Nigerians. The goal set up a nervy final 20 minutes, with Police Ladies pushing for an equaliser.
Despite the mounting pressure, Bayelsa Queens stood firm at the back, with goalkeeper Bassey Akpan making key interventions to deny the Ghanaians. The Nigerian champions showed grit and resilience to preserve their slim lead until the final whistle.
Speaking after the game, Bayelsa Queens’ head coach praised his players’ determination:
“We came here to fight for every point, and I’m proud of the way the girls showed character after conceding. This is just the first step; we must keep our focus for the next games.”
On the other hand, Police Ladies’ coach commended his team’s fighting spirit despite the loss, noting that they would correct their mistakes before the next fixture.
Bayelsa Queens, who remain Nigeria’s leading representatives in women’s club football, are seeking to return to the main stage of the CAF Women’s Champions League after reaching the semi-finals in the inaugural 2022 edition. This victory strengthens their chances of progressing from the WAFU B Zone, where only the champions earn a ticket to the continental finals.
With three points already in the bag, the Prosperity Girls will now look ahead with confidence to their next group-stage encounter, where another win could put them within touching distance of qualification.
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