By Dorcas Francis Koji
Nigerian champions Edo Queens begin their quest for a place in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League on Monday as they take on AS Garde Nationale of Niger in their opening Group B fixture of the WAFU B qualifying tournament in Burkina Faso.
The match is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou, with Edo Queens aiming to make a strong start to their continental campaign.
The reigning NWFL champions arrived in Burkina Faso with confidence and have expressed their determination to challenge for the WAFU B title and secure qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Assistant coach Gabriel Benson, speaking after the team’s training session on Sunday evening, said the players were fully prepared for the challenge and determined to make Edo State and Nigeria proud.
“Edo Queens have all it takes to make the country proud,” Benson said.
He added that the squad understands the importance of the opportunity and is ready to give everything in pursuit of victory.
“The girls are ready and good to go. They know the opportunity laid before them, and they also know that they are representing Edo State and Nigeria at large.
“I know they are ready to fight to the end to win our first game and the WAFU B trophy. We are here for real business.”
Benson insisted that Edo Queens have set their sights firmly on victory against AS Garde Nationale.
“We are playing our first match against AS Garde Nationale of Niger. We dream of nothing but total victory,” he said.
The coach also revealed that the team arrived early enough to adapt to the conditions in Burkina Faso and has been adjusting to the weather ahead of the tournament.
“We came here on time, and our players are acclimatising well. Concerning the weather, there is a little difference. I found out that this place is hotter than Nigeria.
“We are doing all that is needed to ensure that they have a smooth run in this WAFU B play-off.”
Edo Queens face a demanding Group B campaign, with Benson acknowledging the quality of opposition awaiting them.
“We have come to play against anybody here, knowing that the group we are placed in has three former champions that we know,” he said.
Despite the difficult group, the coach insisted that the Nigerian champions are not intimidated by their opponents.
“We are not scared. It is a tough group, no doubt. AS Garde Nationale is the only team new to us in Group B. We are prepared, and it is one game at a time.”
The Edo Queens coach believes a positive result in their opening fixture could provide the perfect platform for the champions as they pursue continental glory.
With qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League at stake, Edo Queens will be looking to combine their domestic championship pedigree with a strong showing on the WAFU B stage.
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