Kinshasha, (DRC):- Congolese powerhouse TP Mazembe secured their place in the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League after a dramatic 3-1 victory over Nigeria’s Edo Queens in Casablanca on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
The win marks a historic achievement for the club, making them the first team from the Democratic Republic of Congo to reach the final of the prestigious competition, which is now in its fourth year.
The game was an emotional rollercoaster for both sides. Edo Queens, the tournament debutants, took the lead in the 65th minute through a well-taken goal by Emem Essien, who seemed to have given her side the upper hand. The goal initially appeared to be the decisive blow, but Mazembe refused to give up.
Despite the setback, the Ravens showed resilience and fought back late in regulation time. In the 89th minute, a dramatic equalizer came courtesy of Merveille Kanjinga, who converted a corner kick from Marta Lacho, named the match’s Woman of the Match for her influential performance. This goal forced the game into extra time, much to the relief of the Mazembe faithful.
The drama continued in extra time, as the Nigerian side struggled to regain their composure. In the 101st minute, an unfortunate own goal by Comfort Folorunsho gifted Mazembe an unlikely lead, and just seven minutes later, Marlene Kasaj stepped up to convert a penalty, effectively sealing the victory for the Congolese club.
The win marked a significant milestone for TP Mazembe, who had previously never reached the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League. Head coach Lamia Boumehdi and her squad were elated, as their hard work and determination were rewarded on the continent’s biggest club stage.
Mazembe will now face a tough challenge in the final, where they will meet the defending champions, AS FAR from Morocco, who triumphed over FC Masar in a dramatic 2-1 semi-final. The match, which took place earlier in the day, saw AS FAR’s Doha El Madani score the winning goal in the dying moments of the match, continuing her rich vein of form throughout the tournament.
The encounter between TP Mazembe and AS FAR promises to be an exciting and high-stakes final. The two teams have faced each other before, with AS FAR having won the CAF Women’s Champions League title previously.
For Edo Queens and FC Masar, the semi-final results mean they will now face each other in a play-off for third place on Friday, November 22, 2024. Despite their exit from the competition.
Meanwhile, Edo Queens, who impressed in their first-ever appearance at the CAF Women’s Champions League, will look to bounce back and finish their debut campaign on a high by securing the bronze medal.
The stage is now set for an unforgettable final in the CAF Women’s Champions League as TP Mazembe, powered by their historic win over Edo Queens, prepare to face the defending champions AS FAR.
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