A dominant display by Edo Queens saw the Nigerian outfit overcoming fellow debutants, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC 3-0 at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday evening.

Brilliantly taken goals by Emem Essien, Folashade Ljamilusi and Chukwuamaka Osigwe were enough to secure a CAF Women’s Champions League debut victory for the WAFU B champions against the Ethiopian side.

The youthful Edo Queens wasted no time in getting off their mark, pressing numbers forward and forcing errors of the CBE defence.

Their efforts were duly rewarded as early as the fifth minute when the speedy Ljamilusi’s brilliant run concluded with a well taken cross that found a well-positioned Essien who showed composure in bringing it down to fire her side into the lead.

CBE tried getting back into the game, but Queens’ high pressing kept them at bay.

Coming back from the recess, the Nigerians extended their lead with Ljamilusi doubling the lead after good combination play between her and Esther Moses in the box for Ljamilusi to send it into the roof of the net in the 54^th minute.

With the match comfortably in their control, Queens continued enjoying a lion’s share of possession, with CBE hardly troubling their defence.

The match was eventually put beyond reach for the Ethiopians in the 80^th minute when 17-year-old substitute, Chukwuamaka Osigwe controlled a ball from Moses to unleash a left-footed strike that left the keeper with no chance.

The commanding win sees Queens top Group B, with FC Masar behind them following their 1-0 win over reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies earlier on the day.

Nigeria’s flagbearers at the African Women’s Champions League, Edo Queens, begin their continental campaign this Sunday in Morocco. They will face fellow debutants Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in a Group B duel.  

It is a potentially thrilling clash. Speaking ahead of the clash, Edo Queens coach Moses Aduku said the team remains grounded and focused on being competitive against the best teams in Morocco.

“This is a dream opportunity for us to evaluate ourselves against high-level teams.

“We have already played against some of the best teams and managed to get results in the qualifiers.

“We are therefore confident in our ability to perform well here, and we are determined to remain competitive while giving the best of ourselves,” said Aduku at the pre-match press conference.

The Ethiopian coach, Heye Gizaw Birhanu, said the team’s three attempts to qualify for the tournament have finally paid off, but they remain focused as there is still a lot of work to be done.

“After three attempts, we are finally here and yes, it is a good thing.

“However, this should not be taken for granted; now that we are there, we must give the best of ourselves and continue to surpass ourselves. There is still a lot of work to be done. Qualifying was the first step, now we need to continue to compete.”

After a first day full of sensations, the Women’s Champions League continues this Sunday at Morocco’s economic capital, Casablanca.

Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning champions, will take on newcomer, Masar of Egypt in what looks like a North versus South of the continent.

The odds may seem to be heavily stacked against the Egyptians.  Their coach, Ahmed Ramadhan, speaking ahead of Sunday’s tie, expressed his full belief in his charges, saying that they were motivated to take on the champions.

“We want to prove our potential. The calendar has reserved for us our most formidable opponent, the reigning champion, Mamelodi Sundowns. This is an excellent opportunity for us to optimise our level against the best,” said the Egyptian coach during the pre-match press conference.

In response, coach Jerry Tshabalala who presented his usual calm demeanour emphasised the importance of not dwelling on their past success, but rather focus on the current task at hand in Morocco.

“Let’s leave the past behind us. Just like 2022, we have a title to defend, but we must not dwell on comparisons. We have learned good lessons from previous participations and we have prepared ourselves accordingly”, said Tshabalala.