2024 CAF Women’s Champions League: Moses Aduku highlights importance of opening match win over CBE FC

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

After a resounding 3-0 win over Commerical Bank of Ethiopia FC in their opening Group B match of the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League, the head coach of Edo Queens, Moses Aduku says it was an important win for the team.

The Nigerian champions had a domineering display thanks to goals from Emen Essien, Folashade Ijamilusi, and substitute, Chukwuamaka Osigwe.

The win marked a historic debut performance for the Benin City-based side at the fourth edition of the tournament, to the delight of Aduku.

“It was a wonderful game. Victory is sweet as we take our chances. Honestly, I must tell you, the gun was tough. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC is not pushovers,” Aduku said during post-match reactions.

“If you are to stay in a competition, you need to win your first game. That was the mindset we came with. It was very important to win the first game.”

On their motive at the tournament, Aduku is eyeing the top prize while looking forward to their next match against FC Masar (Egypt) which stunned holders, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies 1-0 in their opener.

“We are not here to watch but to compete with one game at a time,” He added.

“This one is gone. We are looking forward to the next one. The important thing is that we don’t have any other game than that against the Egyptians and they won their first game as well.

“Defeating the defending champions will give them confidence. For me, I know we did not come here to under-rate any team. Every team that is here are potential champions. Our next game is going to be like a cup final.”

A win over the Egyptian side on Wednesday will put them in pole position of making it to the semi final and closer to Bayelsa Queens third place finish in 2022 with the chance of surpassing Nigeria’s best performance in the competition.