Sports
WAFU B: Bayelsa Queens cruise into final in massive Espoire win
by Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja
Five second-half goals and one in the first half by Bayelsa Queens condemned Espoire FC of Benin Republic to their heaviest defeat in the Stade De Yamoussoukro at the ongoing 2022 CAF Women Champions League qualifiers Zone-B in Cote D’Ivoire.
A good display by the “Prosperity Girls” in the first half gave rise to an early goal through a foul on Flourish Sabastine, resulting in a superb free kick by Chinyere Igboamalu to beat Espoire FC goalie Alassane Sourakatou.
On registering the goal, Bayelsa Queens reverberated in all areas of the pitch, dominating Beninoises while Flourish ensured the defenders were kept busy in the 18-yard box.
A shot from Etim Edidiong in the 26th minute was pushed over the bar for a corner kick, and Bayelsa Queens did everything possible to get another goal but the defence of Espoire stood resolute and the first half ended one-nil.
Bayelsa Queens FC, champions of the NWFL, played in a more compacted form in the second half to get a second goal from Kafayat Bashiru through Bleasing Illivieda after Flourish won a foul in the 49th minute.
Glory Edet, from a set piece three minutes later, scored to make it 3-0 in the 52nd minute and in the 61st minute, there was a chance for Kafayat Bashiru to get her brace but the alertness of Sourakatou denied her the goal.
The girls from Benin Republic had a chance to pull one back but poor finishing was their undoing in the 69th minute, rather it was Chinyere Igboamalu that scored her brace in the 72nd minute to make it 5-0.
Finally, Anjor Mary got her first goal in the competition to seal the 6-0 victory for Bayelsa Queens FC in the 88th minute, sending the Prosperity Girls into the finals where they will battle Ampem Darkoa Ladies FC of Ghana, on Saturday, after the latter defeated host AS D’ Abidjan 6-5 on penalties.
Meanwhile, the technical adviser of Bayelsa Queens, Domo Okara, said after the first goal, his players went to sleep but following a tactical change in the second-half, saw his team scored five goals, adding that football is all about converting your chances.
Shocked by the heavy loss, Damien Keke, assistant coach of Espoire said they did not know what happened in the second-half, however, they will come better next year.
Flourish Sabastine was named woman of the match.
