Christy Uchiebe helps SL Benfica to first-ever Women’s Champions League quarterfinal

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria midfielder Christy Ucheibe and her Portuguese side, SL Benfica have qualified for the quarter-final of the 2023/2024 UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) following a 2-2 draw at Rosengard on Thursday.

The Portuguese champions needed a point to guarantee their place in the last eight of this year’s European club competition, with a game to spare and they did enough to achieve the historic feat at Malmo IP.

Olivia Schough scored the first goal of her side’s fifth group game for the hosts in the 13th minute.

The Portuguese star, Jessica Silva, however, notched the equaliser for the visitors in the 52nd minute.

Five minutes later, Marie Alidou d’Anjou gave Benfica the lead for the first time in the match.

With eight minutes to the end of the match, Mai Ladowaki leveled matters for Rosengard.

Ucheibe played a full 90 minutes for the Portuguese in the historic match-up.

The draw ensured SL Benfica progression to the quarter-final of the competition for the first time in their history.

After five games, they occupy the second position with eight points, four points ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt.

The top two teams that have already booked qualification for the next stage, Barcelona and SL Benfica will face off in the final group game on January 31, 2024.