Latest News
Bayelsa Queens eye ‘golden bronze’ against Simba Queens – Domo Okara
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Ahead of the third-place match of the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League between Bayelsa Queens of Nigeria and Simba Queens of Tanzania, the coach of the Nigerian side says the next focus for his team is to get a podium finish.
Bayelsa Queens became the first Nigerian side to qualify for the semi-final of the CAF Women’s Champions League after its second-place finish in Group B which set up a semi-final clash with host, ASFAR FC of Morocco.
The team will now settle for a third-place match against Simba Queens after a 1-0 defeat in the hands of ASFAR FC on Wednesday in the semi-final thanks to a first-half goal from Ibtisaam Jraidi.
“It is difficult not to play in the finals, but that notwithstanding, we can’t cry over this, as that has gone, it will be worse if we don’t be on the podium on Sunday the finals, to take the bronze medal. I call it the golden bronze,” Coach Okara said during his pre-match press briefing ahead of the third-place match.
Debutant at this year’s CAF Women’s Champions League, Bayelsa Queens had dreamt of winning the second edition of the tournament being the team’s first appearance but will now settle for a bronze medal.
“Of course, everyone was dreaming. We’d have the big one but, nevertheless, we are happy to be where we are. We are among the best four and that alone makes me happy being number four,” Okara told media.
“That is the least we can do, we didn’t bargain for the bronze medal what we came for is to win the trophy, but unfortunately we are in this situation, what we have to do is to redeem ourselves by winning the match, I will call it golden bronze.
“It is difficult not to play in the finals, but that notwithstanding, we can’t cry over this, as that is gone, it will be worse if we don’t be on the podium on Sunday the finals.”
The third-place clash between Bayelsa Queens and Simba Queens will see two debutants trade tackles for the bronze medal prize.
Both teams have won two games and lost two ahead of the game with similar outcomes in the group stage and semi-finals.
Simba Queens suffered a 1-0 defeat to holders, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies of South Africa in the semi-final.
Continue Reading