BAYELSA QUEENS CRUISE INTO WAFU B SEMI-FINALS WITH 3-0 WIN OVER ASKO
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens secured their place in the semi-finals of the 2025 WAFU B Women’s Champions League after a dominant 3-0 victory over ASKO of Togo at the Stade du Lycée Scientifique, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, on Wednesday.
The six-time Nigeria Women’s Football League champions, who began their campaign with a 2-1 win over Ghana’s Police Ladies, made it two wins from two to seal qualification for the last four with a game to spare.
After a cagey first half in which both sides struggled to create clear chances, Bayelsa broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half when ASKO defender Oumou Bani turned the ball into her own net under pressure.
The Nigerian champions grew in confidence and doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute through Alaba Olabiyi’s fine strike. Shakirat Moshood, who scored in the opening game against Police Ladies, sealed the win with an 80th-minute goal to underline Bayelsa’s dominance.
Defensively, the Restoration Girls held firm to earn their first clean sheet of the tournament. Bunmi Oladeji delivered a steady performance at the back, while new signing Emem Essien impressed with her work rate.
Midfielder Vera Samuel stood out with a commanding display that earned her the Player of the Match award, as her energy and creativity dictated the tempo after Bayelsa’s breakthrough.
Head coach Whyte Ogbonda, who had earlier described the tournament as a “tough path,” will be encouraged by his team’s progress as they push for a return to the CAF Women’s Champions League finals, three years after finishing third in Morocco.
With six points from two games, Bayelsa Queens will face Sam Nelly of Benin in their final group match on Saturday, but their attention is already on the knockout stage as they aim to reclaim the WAFU B regional crown they last won in 2022.
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