Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens have arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to begin their campaign in the WAFU Zone B qualifiers for the CAF Women’s Champions League, a tournament that now serves as Africa’s pathway to the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.

The reigning Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership champions were received at the airport by Robert Terlumun Akpenpuun, a former Nigeria Premier League match commissioner and NFF protocol officer who now serves on diplomatic assignment at the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire.

 Akpenpuun is also an Assistant Comptroller in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

For Bayelsa Queens, the mission in Abidjan is clear: secure qualification from the West African regional competition and return to the continental stage at the CAF Women’s Champions League later this year.

A triumph there would hand them Africa’s sole ticket to the maiden FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, billed as the women’s equivalent of a world club championship.

Already, four clubs have booked their places at the global event: Arsenal (England), Gotham FC (United States), Auckland United (New Zealand), and Wuhan Jiangda (China)—winners of their respective continental crowns in Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia.

The final two slots will go to the champions of the Copa Libertadores Femenina (South America) in October and the CAF Women’s Champions League (Africa) in November.

Bayelsa Queens, carrying Nigeria’s hopes, will now aim to write their name in history by becoming the first African club to step onto women’s football’s biggest global stage.

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Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens will carry the nation’s hopes when the WAFU B Zonal Qualifiers for the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League kick off in Côte d’Ivoire later this month.

The Prosperity Girls, champions of the inaugural WAFU Zone B Women’s Champions League in 2021, are once again eyeing the regional crown that guarantees a ticket to the continent’s flagship women’s club competition.

Drawn in Group B, Bayelsa Queens face a tough path as they battle Ghana’s Police Ladies, Togo’s ASKO, and Benin’s Sam Nelly. The Charles Konan Banny Stadium will host the tournament from 23 August to 5 September 2025, with the winners flying the WAFU B flag at the finals.

Quest for Continental Return

Having missed out on continental success since their historic 2021 run, Bayelsa Queens are determined to reclaim their dominance. Head coach and players are focused on navigating the group phase and securing one of the semi-final slots.

Their campaign begins on 24 August against Police Ladies of Ghana, a fixture that is expected to set the tone for the rest of their tournament. They will then face ASKO of Togo on 27 August, before rounding off the group stage against Sam Nelly of Benin on 30 August.

The Roadmap

The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals on 2 September, while the grand finale is scheduled for 5 September, where the region’s sole ticket to the CAF Women’s Champions League will be decided.

Full Fixture List – Bayelsa Queens’ Matches

• 24/08/2025 – 15h00: Bayelsa Queens (NGA) vs Police Ladies (GHA)
• 27/08/2025 – 15h00: ASKO (TOG) vs Bayelsa Queens (NGA)
• 30/08/2025 – 18h00: Sam Nelly (BEN) vs Bayelsa Queens (NGA)

As the competition draws near, Bayelsa Queens remain confident of once again stamping their authority on the regional stage and booking their ticket to Africa’s biggest women’s club tournament.

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Spain striker Esther Gonzalez scored twice in the first half as her side powered to a 5-0 win over Portugal at the Women’s Euros that was overshadowed by the deaths of Portugal international Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident earlier on Thursday.

On an emotional night that began with a minute’s silence for the brothers, Portugal went behind almost immediately, Olga Carmona putting the ball over the top for Gonzalez to run on to and score in the second minute.

Mariona Caldentey did superbly to pull the ball across the box for Vicky Lopez to score the second goal five minutes later.

The Portuguese managed to steady the ship but they were rocked again four minutes before the break when Alexia Putellas took down another great pass from Caldentey on her chest before calmly cutting inside and firing home.

“I highlight our mindset, how we came out to play,” Putellas said. “We were really eager to get started but it’s only the first match.”

There was more misery to come for Portugal before halftime as Gonzalez netted her second goal two minutes later, scoring from close range after Claudia Pina’s cross came back off the far post.

The world champions were delighted to be able to bring in Aitana Bonmati from the bench following her recent brush with viral meningitis, and the playmaker wasted no time getting into the thick of things, setting up a chance for Cristina Martin-Prieto.

“Aitana is a very important player for us. We are delighted that she is back and has overcome her illness. It is a joy,” Putellas said.

Portugal showed more composure in the second half but they were no match for Spain’s power, precision and technique and, though they held Spain at bay for most of the second half, Martin-Prieto scored with a superb late header to complete the rout.

“We conceded early goals and the team became anxious and unsettled,” said Portugal forward Diana Silva. “We couldn’t get hold of the ball and then it’s harder to chase the result. We were much better in the second half, more united. We didn’t allow Spain so much space to get in.

“We believe until the end, our goal is to earn points until the end and everything is still up for grabs.”

Silva and her teammates remained on the pitch after the final whistle, posing in front of their fans with a huge black banner in memory of Jota.

Spain’s victory was their biggest in a European Championship, surpassing their 4-1 win over Finland in 2022, and was the ideal start for what the tournament favourites hope will be their first Women’s Euro title.

With Italy having defeated Belgium 1-0 earlier in the evening, Spain top the group with the Italians second. Spain take on the Belgians in their next game, while Portugal face Italy.

-Reuters