Bayelsa Queens have a chance at this year's edition to reverse the conviction that Nigerian clubs still have a long way to go in continental football.
Mamelodi Sundown’s fairy tale run which saw the South African girls emerge winners of the maiden edition of the CAF Women Champions League in 2021 came as a rude shock to pundits given Nigeria’s strength and dominance in female football In Africa.
Rivers Angels’ abysmal performance at the maiden edition in Egypt was a bitter pill shoved down the throats of Nigerians who watched with dismay as the team committed a series of elementary errors, losing 3-0 to AS FAR of Morocco, pipped 1-0 by Sundowns before rallying back with 3-0 win over Vihiga Queens. But Bayelsa Queens are out to put the records straight.
Fully funded by the Bayelsa State Government, the club won the 2004 Nigerian Women’s Premier League title and went on to win their fifth league title this year. “It means a lot for us honestly, we were delighted to compete in a tournament of this magnitude, and as WAFU B winners as well, it was a great feeling.
“We are not going to Morocco to do extras, or distribute points. Certainly, this will be our very first experience at this level,” Mamie Ghemi, the TP Mazembe captain, said.