Nigeria’s representatives, the Edo Queens, lost 4-3 to FC Masar in a penalty shootout in the bronze medal match played in Morocco on Friday, ending their hopes of qualifying for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Following their semifinal loss to TP Mazembe, which ended their hopes of making it to the final, they suffered this setback.
Edo Queens’ chances of making it to the title match were dashed when they lost 3-1, despite leading 1-0 until the last minutes of the second half of the semi-final.
With the defeat, Edo Queens had hoped to break the dismal tradition that no Nigerian team has advanced to the tournament’s final in its four editions.
Aduku, the coach of Edo Queens, was upbeat heading into the third-place game because he thought his team had overcome their heartbreaking semifinal loss.
But although the game finished in a draw, FC Masar proved to be too powerful and won the bronze in the penalty shootout.
The Edo Queens’ campaign in Morocco has been outstanding, even though they did not win the bronze.
They defeated CBE 3-0 to start, then FC Masar in a goalless draw, and finally, Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning champions, 2-1.
It is anticipated that Edo Queens’ fourth-place Champions League result will bring in a substantial $300,000 (more than N508 million) in prize money.
The CAF Women’s Champions League prize money breakdown is as follows:
Winners: $600,000
Runners-up: $400,000
3rd place: $350,000
4th place: $300,000
3rd in Group: $200,000
4th in Group: $150,000
