Ikpeme Charges Edo Queens,Others To Make Nigeria

Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Emmanuel Ikpeme, has charged Edo Queens and Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF club competitions to approach their continental assignments this weekend with determination and make the country proud.

Ikpeme expressed confidence in the ability of the five Nigerian clubs flying the nation’s flag in continental competitions, while warning that they would face equally ambitious and well-prepared opponents.

Edo Queens, winners of the 2024 WAFU-B Women’s Champions League, will face Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa in the final of this year’s competition in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Saturday.

The winner of the encounter will secure a place in this year’s CAF Women’s Champions League finals.

In the CAF Champions League, Rivers United will begin their campaign away to FC San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan, while Enugu Rangers will take on SOBEMAP FC of Benin Republic at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.

Both fixtures are first preliminary round, first-leg encounters.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, Shooting Stars Sports Club will face Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, while El-Kanemi Warriors will host Deportio Nationale of Guinea at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

“I have no doubt in the capacity of each of the teams flying the country’s flag this weekend to make Nigeria proud,” Ikpeme said.

“However, it is not going to be picnic-time against their equally well-prepared and ambitious opponents.

“Edo Queens have done very well to get to the final, and I believe they have enough left in their tank to deliver the goods against their Ghanaian opponents and bring the trophy to Nigeria.”

Ikpeme said Rangers and Rivers United have a responsibility to help Nigeria begin a new chapter in the CAF Champions League, which Nigerian clubs have not won in the past 22 years.

He also urged Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors to approach their respective Confederation Cup fixtures with focus, determination and positive energy.

“It is time that we begin the journey for a gradual return to the forefront of African club football competitions,” he added.

Edo Queens booked their place in the final after an impressive run in the competition, hammering AS Garde Nationale of Niger Republic 7-0 and defeating ASEC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire 3-1 during the group stage.

The Nigerian side later lost 2-1 to Ampem Darkoa before returning to winning ways with a commanding 5-1 victory over USFA of Burkina Faso in the semi-finals.

They will now face Ampem Darkoa once again in Saturday’s final at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou.