Nigeria’s Women’s Premier League champions, Edo Queens, delivered a sensational performance on Saturday evening, coming from behind to defeat defending African champions Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in their final Group B match at the CAF Women’s Champions League in Casablanca, Morocco. The victory secured Edo Queens a spot in the tournament’s semifinals.

As Group B leaders, Edo Queens will now face Tanzania’s TP Mazembe in the semifinal clash scheduled for Tuesday.

Dramatic Turnaround in Extra Time

The match appeared to be slipping away from Edo Queens when South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns maintained a 1-0 lead deep into stoppage time, courtesy of M. Kgatiete’s 24th-minute strike. However, the Nigerian side staged a stunning late comeback that shocked the reigning champions.

In the 95th minute, Emem Essien leveled the score with a crucial equalizer, ensuring Edo Queens’ advancement to the semifinals. But the drama didn’t end there. Just five minutes later, Mary Mamudu sealed the victory with a superb goal, completing the turnaround and ending Mamelodi Sundowns’ title defense hopes.

Journey to the Semifinals

Edo Queens began their campaign in Morocco with a dominant 3-0 win over Ethiopia’s Commercial Bank, with goals from Emem Essien, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Goodness Osigwe. In their second group match, they held Masar FC of Egypt to a goalless draw, setting the stage for their high-stakes showdown with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Their ability to overcome the defending champions in such dramatic fashion underscores Edo Queens’ resilience and determination as they aim for the prestigious title.

What’s Next?

Edo Queens’ focus now shifts to their semifinal encounter with TP Mazembe, where they will look to build on their momentum and secure a spot in the final. With their performance so far, the Nigerian champions have demonstrated they are strong contenders for the CAF Women’s Champions League crown.