Edo Queens bow out of CAF Women's Champions League after painful 3-1 defeat to TP Mazembe

Nigeria's representative at the 2024 edition of the CAF Women's Champions League, Edo Queens, have been shown the door out of the tournament by Congolese giants TP Mazembe despite scoring first midway through the second half.

The Nigerian champions largely dominated the game in the first half, creating several goalscoring opportunities but failed to take any of them. 

TP Mazembe goalie Ngoy Mudimbi was certainly the opposing team's woman of the for the first half

The WAFU Champions looked like they had broken the deadlock in the 39th minute after a cross from Paulina Ali, but Goodness Osigwe didn't have the nerves of steel to find the back of the net as her soft header was easily collected by the TP Mazembe goalie.

Two minutes to the end of normal time in the first half, Valentina Okoro was denied once again by the opposing team's goalkeeper, after she was played on from a free kick on a one-on-one opportunity.

Folshade Ijamilusi tried to pick out Goodness Osigwe on the run in the 44th minute, but the winger was a bit over ambitious with her shot from outside the box which was an easy catch in the end for

Edo Queens survived a scare right at the end of the first half as Monle Omini flicked the ball into her own net from a corner after she was shoved while trying to claim the ball, but the assistant referee ruled out the goal for a foul and an offisde.

TP Mazembe began to reel in the changes and Esther Burishi made way for Atuah Baffour. 

The substitution almost paid off, as Baffour broke Nigerian hearts in the opening minutes of the second half finding the back of the net from outside the eighteen yard box, as the Edo Queens defense was in sixes and sevens. 

The goal was eventually ruled out after a VAR review.

Edo Queens also began some substitutions as Mary Mamudu came on for Goodness osigwe in the 59th minute. 

The Nigerian champions eventually got the reward for all their hard work in the 65th minute after Emem Essien lobbed the ball past the opposition's goalie and into the back of the net, courtesy of a sumptuous ball into the box from Paulina Ali.

TP Mazembe did not relent and won a corner in the 89th minute, drawing level in the process courtesy of a powerful header from Marveille Kanjinga. 

They almost sent Edo Queens packing in the 92nd minute but Dikisha Burisha's shot was blasted over the bar. 

It was Burisha once more in the 94th minute who tried to go round the goalkeeper, but drew a fantastic save from Monle Omini in goal.

Both teams couldn't find a winner in normal time and the game went straight to extra time. 

Edo Queens began the first period of extra time strongly, keeping possession expertly amongst themselves. 

Mary Mamudu sent a cross into the box in the 97th minute finding Ijamilusi but her header just strayed wide.

TP Mazembe inflicted another blow to the Nigerian champions as they netted their second goal courtesy of an on goal from Comfort Folorunsho in the 101st minute. 

Further heartbreak was served for Edo Queens as they conceded a penalty in the 104th minute, as Mariene Kasaj sent Monle Omini the wrong way to extend the lead for TP Mazembe.

The Congolese side almost increased their tally oncepre in the 115th minute but they drew a fantastic save from Monle Omini.

Edo Queens will have another chance to salvage a medal and a podium finish on Friday, as they will face the losers of the second semi final game between AS FAR and FC Masar which will be played later tonight.

Ejim Kaycee

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com