Edo Queens strike three times before half-time to put USFA on brink in UFOA-B semi-final

Edo Queens scored three times before the interval to take a commanding 3-0 lead over USFA in the semi-final of the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifying tournament for the UFOA-B zone.

The Nigerian side broke the deadlock in the 25th minute through Doosuur Anastasia Atume, giving USFA an early setback in the last-four contest.

Edo Queens continued to control the first half and extended their advantage eight minutes before the break. Esther Moses found the net in the 43rd minute to put the Nigerians two goals ahead.

The pressure on USFA increased further in stoppage time at the end of the half, when Valentina Uroko scored Edo Queens’ third goal. The goal came in the 45th minute and left the Burkinabe side facing a sizeable deficit at the interval.

Edo Queens imposed their tempo throughout the opening period, limiting USFA’s ability to respond and placing the Burkinabe team under sustained difficulty. The Nigerian representatives’ three-goal advantage reflected their dominance before the teams headed into the dressing rooms.

USFA now face the task of producing a major second-half response if they are to recover from the deficit and keep their hopes of progressing from the UFOA-B qualifying tournament alive.

The match is part of the regional qualifying competition for the CAF Women’s Champions League, with the two clubs contesting a place in the final. Edo Queens’ first-half performance has given them a strong position, while USFA must find a way to change the course of the semi-final after conceding three times.

Atume’s opener established the direction of the match, Moses strengthened the advantage shortly before half-time and Uroko’s late strike completed a decisive first-half spell for Edo Queens. USFA were unable to prevent the Nigerians from adding to their lead before the break.

The Burkinabe side therefore begin the second half three goals behind, while Edo Queens return to the field with a substantial advantage in the semi-final.