Bayelsa Queens clinched a bronze medal in the CAF Women’s Champions League after a 1-0 win over Simba Queens in the third place match at Stade Moulay Hassan on Saturday.
The Nigerian champions went home with $200,000 for their win.
The debutants fared better than Rivers Angels, who were knocked out at the group stage at the inaugural edition last year.
A second half strike from Juliet Sunday was all Domo Okara’s ladies required to silence their East African counterparts and secure the consolatory bronze in Rabat.
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Coming off their semi-final defeats, the Tanzanian and Nigerian champions were hoping to end their campaigns on a high and Bayelsa with the brightest start as Glory Edet’s long range effort and Etim Edidiong’s header inside the 10-minute opening.
Simba, however, recovered from the early pressure from the West Africans as they threatened through the efforts of Asha Djafari and Opah Clement but could not find the back of the net as both sides settled for a stalemate at half time.
After the barren first half, the two clubs resumed the contest with an end-to-end battle until Juliet Sunday eventually broke the deadlock off a cross from Mercy Itimi in the 70th minute.
On seeing themselves behind, Simba pushed for a leveller but Clement’s powerful brilliant effort from the edge was turned over the bar by keeper Bawou Gabrielle 10 minutes later.
In the closing stages, Bayelsa almost added the second through substitute Chinyere Igbomalu but she missed a sitter as her side to preserve their slim lead to claim their golden bronze.
Though the Prosperity Girls fell short against top teams like Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR, a third place finish on their maiden appearance in the competition is worth celebrating.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Bawou Gabrielle won her second Woman of the Match accolade in the tournament following her brilliant goalkeeping to ensure Bayelsa Queens celebrate the bronze on the maiden appearance.
