Chioma Olise eyes CAF Women’s Champions League title

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

With two wins away from winning the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League, the skipper of Edo Queens, Chioma Olise is dreaming about returning to Nigeria with the title.

Despite losing a penalty in their 2-1 win against two-time champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Edo Queens put up a late fight to see off holders, ending the former’s campaign at the tournament.

On Tuesday, the West Africa Zone B (WAFU-B) champions are up against TP Mazembe in the semi-final.

“The players are ready and happy to play the semi-finals,” Olise said during the pre-match press conference.

“It means a lot of things to us. Not only playing in the semi-finals. Qualifying from the group is a great opportunity.

“We are not going to stop in the semi-final. We pray God help us get to the final and win the trophy.”

With the Nigerian team (Bayelsa Queens) winning the only head-to-head meeting with TP Mazembe in 2022, Edo Queens go into the last four games as the favorite.

“Our mindset is positive because winning the defending champions was not an easy game. We respected them, though they are the champions, but we need to take the game to them. That was why we won the game,” She continued.

“Qualifying for the semi-final, we know with our hard work and coach instructions we would be victorious.

“Looking at the draws, every team is good, but I believe my team is better. I was not afraid of any team. We said to ourselves that we would take every match as a cup final. That’s how we did it.” She concluded.

The last time the Democratic Republic of Congo side met a team from Nigeria, Bayelsa Queens recorded a 2-0 win in 2022.

Both sides hope to reach the final of the competition for the first time notably for Edo Queens, who are making their debut appearance.

TP Mazembe is making their second appearance after a group stage ouster in 2022.