Bayelsa Queens eye WAFU B semi-final News

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Bayelsa Queens eye WAFU B semi-final

By Daily Sports Nigeria on September 2, 2025

Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens will face Burkina Faso’s Union Sportive des Forces Armées in the semi-final of the 2025 WAFU B Women’s Champions League on Tuesday (today), after finishing top of Group B with a perfect record in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Prosperity Girls underlined their status as one of the tournament favourites by winning all three of their group matches, scoring nine goals and conceding only two.

Their 4-1 victory over Sam Nelly of Benin on Saturday confirmed their place at the summit of Group B, ahead of Ghana’s Police Ladies.

Janet Akekoromowei was the standout performer against Sam Nelly, striking twice to earn the Player of the Match award. Shakirat Moshood and Alaba Olabiyi also found the net, ensuring Bayelsa ended the group stage with another commanding display.

The win followed a 2-1 opening triumph over Police Ladies and a 3-0 dismantling of ASKO of Togo, results that strengthened head coach Whyte Ogbonda’s belief in his team’s ability to reclaim the regional crown they last lifted in 2022.

Their consistency was recognised with three players named in the Group Stage Best XI. Left-back Chinyere Iheoma, midfielder Mary Aderemi and winger Moshood were all included, reflecting the balance of a side that has combined attacking flair with defensive organisation.

USFA, runners-up in Group A, will provide a stern test. The Burkinabè side edged into the knockout stage behind Ivorian champions ASEC Mimosas, who face Ghana’s Police Ladies in the other semi-final.

For Bayelsa, however, confidence is high. Club captain Blessing Ilivieda insists the players are prepared to carry the weight of expectation into Tuesday’s clash in Yamoussoukro.

“If it is for training, we have trained well,” she told told PUNCH Sports Extra ahead of the match.

“Mentally we know what is at stake. The responsibility of 250 million Nigerians is on our shoulders. Everyone has put it at the back of their mind that we are going all out, not just for Bayelsa but for Nigeria as a whole. We want to make the country proud.”

Ilivieda emphasised the lessons learned from a competitive group stage, stressing the need to respect every opponent.

“Do not look down on any country qualifying to this stage. Coming as champions of your league is not an easy task. We must fight until the last whistle. It is aura for aura, energy for energy, vibe for vibe. The only way we can win this trophy is by fighting to the end.”

The defender also praised Bayelsa’s backline, which has conceded just twice in three matches.

“The defence has been super because they are playing according to instruction. We will stand together, work for each other, fight for each other and cover for each other. One for all and all for one,” she said.

With their attacking trio of Moshood, Olabiyi and Akekoromowei in strong form and the defensive unit holding firm, Bayelsa will go into the semi-final as favourites. Yet Ogbonda’s side know that complacency could prove costly in a competition where margins are slim.

The winner of the tie will advance to the final of the WAFU B Women’s Champions League, which also serves as the qualifying route to the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League. For Bayelsa, who reached the continental finals in 2022 and finished third in Morocco, another shot at Africa’s biggest stage is within reach.

Kick-off against USFA is scheduled for 8pm Nigerian time at the Stade du Lycée Scientifique.

Source Punch Ng

Posted September 2, 2025