Edo Queens’ Dreams of Glory Shattered by TP Mazembe in CAF Women’s Champions League Semi-Final
On November 19, Edo Queens faced a formidable challenge as they fell short against TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League semi-final. The Nigerian champions had hoped to make history, but ultimately succumbed to the Congolese side’s determination.
The match took an exciting turn when Emem Essien scored her third goal of the tournament in the 65th minute, giving Edo Queens a 1-0 lead. The goal was the result of relentless pressure from the Nigerian team’s attack, which seemed to invigorate their hopes of advancing to the finals.
However, TP Mazembe showed remarkable resilience, refusing to give up. As the match neared its conclusion, they staged a dramatic comeback, with Merveille Nanguji levelling the score at 1-1 in the 90th minute. This equalizer sent the match into extra time, shifting the momentum in favour of the Congolese side.
In the first half of extra time, Comfort Folorunsho’s unfortunate own goal in the 101st minute gave TP Mazembe a 2-1 lead, a turning point that changed the scoreline and the team’s morale. The goal proved to be the decisive moment, as it not only altered the score but also the dynamics on the pitch.
Eight minutes later, Marlene Kasai successfully converted a penalty, extending the score to 3-1 and sealing Edo Queens’ fate. The defeat marked a disappointing end to their journey in the tournament.
