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Vera Samuel targets back-to-back WAFU-B Women’s Champions League titles
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Bayelsa Queens midfielder Vera Samuel says she is determined to replicate her 2024 success at the West Africa Zone B (WAFU-B) Women’s Champions League when the 2025 qualifiers kick off in Côte d’Ivoire.
Samuel, who lifted last year’s trophy with Edo Queens under coach Moses Aduku, will now aim to guide the Prosperity Girls to victory and secure a spot in the fifth edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Drawn in Group B alongside Police Ladies (Ghana), ASKO (Togo) and Sam Nelly FC (Benin Republic), Bayelsa Queens face a challenging path, but Samuel is confident.
“When the fixtures came out, I imagined how we lifted last year’s trophy. It was exciting—victory came to mind,” she said.
“We’ve been preparing for this, just like we did for the league and Super Six. My personal aim is to lead the team to victory and return to Nigeria with the trophy.”
Samuel recalled the high of being named Player of the Match in the opening game of last year’s tournament—her first international match outside Nigeria—and hopes to repeat the feat.
“It showed my impact and I was celebrated. I’m working hard to make sure I get that recognition again this year. Last year, the celebration from the airport—trumpets, bands, dancing—was overwhelming. That’s a feeling I want to keep experiencing in my career.”
The Yenegoa based side hope to become the first team to win the WAFU-B title twice after emerging as champions in 2022.
They have already made history by becoming the first Nigerian team to make a second appearance at the tournament as Rivers Angels, Delta Queens, and Edo Queens made one appearance apiece.
