Edo Queens won’t underrate Masar – Aduku

Edo Queens coach Moses Aduku has said the Nigerian champions will not underrate fellow CAF Women Champions League debutants Masar FC during their second Group B game at the Stade Larbi Zaouli on Wednesday, The PUNCH reports.

The NWFL and WAFU B champions began their campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over CBE FC of Ethiopia on Sunday, just as the Egyptians upset defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Brilliantly taken goals by Emem Essien, Folashade Ljamilusi, and Goodness Osigwe were enough to secure a CAF Women’s Champions League debut victory for the WAFU B champions against the Ethiopian side.

Aduku, who has set his sights on the title, is fast-looking ahead of their next challenge and believes Masar FC’s win against the South Africans means his team might not have an easy game against the Egyptians on Wednesday.

“Defeating the defending champions gives them confidence. For me, we did not come here to underrate any team. One of the things I told my girls is that every team that is here is a potential champion, so we need to play like it is a cup final, and our game against Masar will be like a cup final.”

Reflecting on their commanding performance in the first game, the tactician said he was not buoyed by the result but focused on their tournament objective.

“Wonderful game; victory is sweet; we are grateful we won the game; we got our chances and we took them, but honestly, I must tell you the game was tough. The Ethiopian side are no pushovers; we denied them playing their game and we tried to take our opportunities.

“If you are to stay in a competition, you need to win your first game, so that is the mindset we came with.

“We know definitely that for us to stay in the competition, we need to win. We might be a first-timer, but of course, if you win, you have the opportunity of moving ahead.”

Edo Queens are the third Nigerian team to feature in the tournament after Rivers Angels in 2021 and Bayelsa Queens in 2022, with the country’s highest finish being a third-place record by the latter.

While coach Aduku has stated their mission of becoming the first Nigerian team to win the title, Edo Queens are already guaranteed a handsome $150,000 participating fee and will scoop more money as they progress in the competition that will see the winner smile home with $600,000, runners-up $400,000, and third-placed $35,000 aside from other monetary incentives.