CAF Women's Leage
History-chasing Edo Queens produce two of Africa’s best 11
Continental debutants, Edo Queens who had a Cinderella performance on Saturday with a stunning and dramatic comeback that eliminated defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns have had two of their players named among the Best 11 players at the CAF Women’s League.
The two players are Cordeila Odoma and Emem Essien. Only hosts, AS FAR of Morocco produced more players in the Bext 11 squad named by the CAF Technical Study Group that comprises various African football experts, including coaches, analysts, and technical advisors.
However, the Best 11 is headlined by four AS FAR players, two each from tournament debutants, Edo Queens as well as FC Masar.
South Africa duo of Mamelodi Sundowns and University of the Western Cape (UWC) as well as DR Congo’s TP Mazembe make up the final 11.
AS FAR goalkeeper Khadija ER-Rmichi, with just one concession in the group stages, rightfully earns the goalkeeper position.
AS FAR’s Nouhaila Benzina, alongside Shadia Nankya of FC Masar, make up the central pairing, while Edo Queens’ Cordeila Odoma and Karabo Dhlamini of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies complete the back four as full-backs.
UWC’s highly experienced Amogelang Motau anchors the midfield, just behind the attacking pair of AS FAR’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Sandrine Niyonkuru of FC Masar.
The attacking trio is led by Edo Queens’ lethal Emem Essien, who is assisted by AS FAR teenage-star, Doha El Madani as well as Lacho Marta of TP Mazembe.
The CAF Technical Study Group also confirmed the best performing players and coach for the group stages as follows:
Top Goalscorer: AS FAR’sDoha El Madani (5 goals)
Best Player: AS FAR’s Sanaa Mssoudy
Best Goalkeeper: AS FAR’s Khadija Er-Rmichi
Best Coach: FC Masar’s Ahmad Ramadhan
The tournament enters the exciting knockout stages this Tuesday, when Edo Queens takes on TP Mazembe at 16h00 Local Time before former champions AS FAR take on FC Masar at 19h00 Local Time.
Miracle Usani is the sole Edo Queen player in the CAF Women’s Champions League Best XI, which was announced on Monday.
The Best XI selection highlights the top-performing players of the tournament. It is compiled by the CAF Technical Study Group (TSG), which includes football analysts, coaches, and technical advisors.
The Best XI features four players from debutants FC Masar which placed third in the final ranking.
Four players are selected from Champions TP Mazembe and two from runners-up AS FAR of Morocco.
In goal is FC Masar’s Habiba Sabry, whose acrobatic saves and commanding presence earned her the title of Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.
The central defense is solidified by Shadia Nankya and Aisha Nantongo from FC Masar.
The full-back positions are occupied by Miracle Usani of Edo Queens on the left and Vukulu Belange of TP Mazembe on the right.
TP Mazembe’s Marline Kasaj anchors the midfield, providing exceptional support during their title run.
The attacking midfield duo features AS FAR’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Sandrine Nyonkuru of FC Masar, adding creativity and flair to the line-up.
The attacking trio is led by the tournament’s top scorer, Doha El Madani (ASFAR), on the right, with TP Mazembe’s Lacho Marta on the left, and Merveille Kanjinga (TP Mazembe) as the central striker.
CAF Women’s Champions League Best XI:
GOALKEEPER
- Habiba Emad Sabry (FC Masar)
DEFENDERS
- Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)
- Shadia Nankya (FC Masar)
- Aisha Nantongo (FC Masar)
- Vukulu Belange (TP Mazembe)
MIDFIELDERS
- Marline Kasaj (TP Mazembe)
- Sanaa Mssoudy (AS FAR)
- Sandrine Nyonkuru (FC Masar)
FORWARDS
- Doha El Madani (AS FAR)
- Merville Kanjinga (TP Mazembe)
- Lacho Marta (TP Mazembe)
Edo Queens lost in the third-placed match with Egypt’s FC Masar after a penalty shoot-out. The Egyptians won 5-3 after a goalless draw.
As it happened when both teams met in the group stage, full-time scores remained 0-0. It was obvious the Edo Queens were deficient in penalty kick shooting as they had earlier lost one in their encounter with Mamelodi Sundowns.
The technical crew probably did not reckon with penalty kick training.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Nigeria’s flagbearers, the Edo Queen will make their final appearance at the 2024 CAF Women’s League this Friday when they take on FC Masar of Egypt in the third-place match.
A win will not only fetch them the bronze medal, but an increased financial gain from $300,000 to $350,000. By the current exchange rate, this is N589,284,600.
A chunk of this will undoubtedly improve their living standards and also fetch some of the players better offers from foreign clubs.
Already, their good run has led to some of the players emerging as nominees at next month’s CAF Awards in Morocco. Monle Oyono is nominated along with Super Falcon’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie as contender for the African Woman’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
So also is Emem Essien seeking to win the Women’s version of the Interclub Player of the Year Award. Their coach, Moses Adukwu is not also left out as he is nominated for the Women’s Coach of the Year category.
Edo Queens is among the eight shortlisted for the Club of the Year. A defeat of FC Masar of Egypt in the third-place match will improve their honours chase.
Both teams met at the group stage and played a barren draw. A winner must emerge this Friday as both teams aim for a pdium finish.
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