Tosan Blankson: Delta Queens coach expects tough challenge against Athletico

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The Head Coach of Delta Queens, Tosan Blankson is expecting a tough clash with Ivorian opponents, Athletico in the semi-final of 2023 West Africa Zone B (WAFU-B) Women’s Champions League in Benin City on Monday.

A 2-0 win over Sam Nelly ensured the Nigerian champions finished top of Group A on Friday. Atletico which has defeated Amis du Monde lost 3-1 to Ampem Darkoa of Ghana to finish second from Group B setting up a last four tie with the Pearls, a game the coach of the Nigerian side is not taking with kid gloves.

“Before this match, we have already qualified for the semi-finals and we have the semi-final to play against a very tough side from Ivory Coast,” Blankson told journalists.

“We were not supposed to put all our eggs in one basket. We brought a team that will give us results but not a do-or-die affair.”

Two goals in both halves from Temilope Owoeye and Ifeoma Ifituzue sealed a 2-0 win for the Asaba-based side, a result the coach sees as not too bad.

“With the way the game was going, I was thinking we were going to score four or five goals.” He continued.

“The girls are playing well and knocking the ball but were too physical somewhere along the line. The instructions from the opponent might be to avoid conceding more than two goals to qualify for the semi-final.

“2-0 wasn’t a bad result. We will go back to the drawing board and think about the semi-finals. Irrespective of that, we have a strong bench. Whoever plays is a regular in Delta Queens. The difference in what you saw today is that some notable names were missing in the line up but that doesn’t mean those who played were not also good.

“The woman of the match in the first game did not play throughout today. The starters are also good. Those coming from the bench are also good.”

The winner of the semi-final clash between Delta Queens and Athletico FC will face either Ampem Darkoa or Sam Nelly in the final to decide the champions and WAFU-B representative at the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League.