By Mark Ogagan
TP Mazembe defeated Edo Queens of Nigeria 3-1 on Tuesday evening to secure their place in Suaturday’s CAF Women’s Champions League final.
The Congolese side got the job done in extra time after forcing the Nigerians to a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.
The Ravens (Pictured in action against Edo Queens), came from behind to force the game into extra time after Emem Essien had initially scored what seemed to be the winner for the tournament debutants in the 65th minute.
However, the ever-green Merveille Kanjinga’s last minute gasp saw the encounter go into extra time in what would be a dramatic turn of events.
After doing well to keep the high in confidence Mazembe at bay, an unfortunate own goal by Comfort Folorunsho saw the Nigerians concede what would be a confidence dashing goal.
Queens did eventually pick their heads up and gained confidence, with more numbers surging into the Mazembe half.
The desperate attacks resulted in rushed decisions and errors as the Nigerian outfit conceded a penalty in the last minute for Marlene Kasaj to step up and seal the victory for the Congolese side, who make history as the first club from the nations to reach the finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League in its four year history.
In the second semi-final also decided on Tuesday night, hosts and former champions AS FAR outclassed Egypt’s FC Masar 2-1 to reach their second final in three years.
Morocco 2024 revelation, Doha El Madani continued in her rich vein of form at the ongoing competition, after the teenage star’s dramatic last gasp strike secured the hard-fought victory for her side.
The slender win in what was an evenly contested showdown means AS FAR’s hopes of reclaiming their CAF Women’s Champions League title remain intact, as they set up a mouth-watering tie against TP Mazembe.
Masar’s unfortunate loss to the former champions means they will take on fellow debutants, Edo Queens in the play-offs for the bronze medal on Friday, 22 November while Mazembe face AS FAR in Saturday’s grand finale.
Despite their exit, FC Masar will take courage with their debut appearance, having pushed AS FAR right to the end with a gutsy performance.
It was the former champions who found the early lead in the 12th minute, courtesy of Safa Banouk’s strike.
Sandrine Niyonkuru could have levelled matters minutes later after Masar were awarded a penalty but was unfortunate not to score, as the match went into the break with a goal to AS FAR.
The equaliser did eventually come for the Egyptians in referee’s added time with Maya Abouelwafa restoring parity.
However, with just seconds remaining, it was the teenage star Doha El Madani again coming to the rescue of AS FAR, with a victory securing goal that sent the hosts into the final in dramatic fashion.
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