By Mark Ogagan
A dominant display by Edo Queens saw the Nigerian outfit overcoming fellow debutants, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC 3-0 at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday evening.
Brilliantly taken goals by Emem Essien, Folashade Ljamilusi and Chukwuamaka Osigwe were enough to secure a CAF Women’s Champions League debut victory for the WAFU B champions against the Ethiopian side.
The youthful Edo Queens wasted no time in getting off their mark, pressing numbers forward and forcing errors of the CBE defence.
Their efforts were duly rewarded as early as the fifth minute when the speedy Ljamilusi’s brilliant run concluded with a well taken cross that found a well-positioned Essien who showed composure in bringing it down to fire her side into the lead.
CBE tried getting back into the game, but Queens’ high pressing kept them at bay.
Coming back from the recess, the Nigerians extended their lead with Ljamilusi doubling the lead after good combination play between her and Esther Moses in the box for Ljamilusi to send it into the roof of the net in the 54th minute.
With the match comfortably in their control, Queens continued enjoying a lion’s share of possession, with CBE hardly troubling their defence.
The match was eventually put beyond reach for the Ethiopians in the 80th minute when 17-year-old substitute, Chukwuamaka Osigwe controlled a ball from Moses to unleash a left-footed strike that left the keeper with no chance.
The commanding win sees Queens top Group B, with FC Masar behind them following their 1-0 win over reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies earlier on the day.
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