Edo Queens faced a tough challenge in the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, November 19, as they were defeated 3-1 by TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The match began on a high note for the Nigerian side when Emem Essien scored in the 65th minute, marking her third goal of the tournament and giving Edo Queens a 1-0 lead. The goal was a result of their relentless attacking pressure, and for a brief moment, it seemed like they were on their way to a historic victory.
However, TP Mazembe showed incredible resilience. As the clock ticked down, they equalized in dramatic fashion when Merveille Nanguji scored in the 90th minute, sending the game into extra time and shifting the momentum in their favor.
In extra time, Edo Queens’ fortunes took another unfortunate turn. In the 101st minute, Comfort Folorunsho scored an own goal, putting TP Mazembe ahead 2-1 for the first time in the match. This crucial moment deflated the Nigerian team’s spirits.
Just eight minutes later, TP Mazembe sealed their victory when Marlene Kasai converted a penalty, pushing the score to 3-1 and ensuring their spot in the final. For Edo Queens, the defeat ended their campaign on a bitter note, marking a challenging conclusion to their impressive tournament run.
