2024 WAFU-B WCLQ: Moses Aduku not looking down on Aiononvi in grande finale

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The head coach of Edo Queens, Moses Aduku, says his side’s opponent in the final of the 2024 West Africa Zone B (WAFU-B) Women’s Champions League Qualifiers, Aiononvi FC from Benin Republic, are not pushovers.

The Nigeria champions edged host Inter D’Abidjan from Cote D’Ivoire 2-1 in the semi-final, while Aiononvi FC pipped AO Etincelle (Burkina Faso) 1-0 to book a place in the final.

According to the former Bayelsa Queens gaffer, the focus is to tactically fashion ways to beat them and return to Nigeria with the title.

“No team is a pushover. The team that has left us now and did not win is a good side. We saw what the Ivorians did,” Aduku told media.

“We are not going to take the game easy. We are going all out. We are going to approach the game tactically and also try to see how to score goals to win the match.”

Goals from Emem Essien and Blessing Ilivieda had given the Benin City-based side a 2-0 win, but a penalty awarded to Inter D’Abidjan, which was converted by Adjoua Niamien, made the second half a tight contest.

“On the penalty. It’s football. The referee has the decision to make, and if she says it is a penalty, there is nothing we can do.” He continued.

“After the Ivorians got the penalty, they never relented. That’s how football is. Sometimes you want to play, but your opponent refuses you to play.

“The important thing is to sit back and try to win balls and win the game. The end justifies the means. We are in the final.” He concluded.

A win for either side will mark the first continental title for Edo Queens or Aiononvi FC.