2024 CAF Women’s Champions League: Moses Aduku eyes record equaling bronze medal with Edo Queens

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

After a 3-1 loss to TP Mazembe (Democratic Republic of Congo) in the semi final of the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League in extra time, the head coach of Edo Queens is focusing on the bronze medal match on Friday.

The Nigerian champions will face FC Masar (Egypt) in the third place match with the aim of equaling Bayelsa Queens record.

Both sides played out a 0-0 draw when they met in the group stage.

“So far so good, we want to thank God for where we found ourselves. It’s a football game. You win some, lose some but we are not down and out yet. We are fighting for the third place. I am expecting my girls to go all out and see how they can win the bronze medal,” Aduku said during pre match press conference on Thursday.

“I know it is not going to be an easy one. The Egyptian team is also a good team. The last time we played them it was goalless but I believe goalless will not give us the bronze so definitely we need to go all out to win. We are putting our finishing touches to our training sessions. We go out tomorrow to fight the battle.”

Aduku’s side were on he verge of becoming the first Nigerian team to make it to the final of the competition but surrendered their lone goal lead on the dot of 90 minutes.

“Well, on the day we lost to TP Mazembe, the players were down and disappointed because that was not a result we expected,” He continued.

“The match was almost over. We lost concentration. When we ended the game, the entire team was down but as a coach, I have to talk to them. You will not even know that we have lot a game as if today in our camp. The mindset of the players are positive now and the energy is good. I know that we are good and ready for tomorrow’s game.

“After the game, one or two players had little knocks but as I speak with you, we have recovered and everybody is good with the exception a player that got ill but I am still thinking she can still make it through by tomorrow. TP Mazembe were physical but it has nothing to do with my system of play. It didn’t affect my team. It was not that they were stronger but my team lost concentration last minute and did not hold up. In the second semi final, they equalised the Moroccan team but their resilience and believe that they can still make it by scoring the second goal. My team thought it was over after conceding and never remembered the South Africa game when we were down and came back to win. It’s just unfortunate. Football is like that sometimes. Tomorrow’s game is important. All that happened in the past are gone. Tomorrow, we want to compliment by getting the bronze medal.”

It has a rewarding journey for Aduku and the players after finishing top of Group B becoming the first Nigerian side to finish top of the group at the tournament and ending the campaign of two time champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (South Africa) in the process.

“I honestly want to praise the players and the entire team. We came here as first timers. We never disappointed because even the defending champions we sent them home. What we will be remembered for are some player that made impact and I think the lesson they will go with us not to give up in anything they are doing. We gave up the TP Mazembe and not that they were better. We will try to win the third place match which will be another tough game because we played them and both sides could not score. This time there a medal and we will try to win that,” He added.

“This wouldn’t have been my first time if I had come with my former team because I was the coach of Bayelsa Queens that came two years ago and took third place but at that point in time I was also appointed coach in the national team so I had to go to the World Cup in Costa Rica the same time this competition was going on. It was difficult for me to come.

“The truth is that I desire to be here with my new team and it was possible because the players played, won the Nigerian league, and pre season tournaments we played. There is a pre seasons tournament in Edo State where the government organise every year. We lost it the previous year but we won it last year. Coming to the CAF Champions League, we were first timer also in WAFU-B and not rated at all. That same competition we took out Ghanaians 3-0. We were thinking of doing same here. Immediately we took out the defending Champions we were expecting to face the favourite, AS FAR FC but it never worked out that way. No problem. It has been a joyful journey and I am very grateful to my players and management team that gave me this platform to bring these players here to play and showcase what they can do. I am using this oppression to thank all the players and my colleagues that worked with me. The back room staff. It has been a strong journey but the end is that we got to this point and it has not been disappointing.” He concluded.
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