Nigeria’s reigning champions, Delta Queens, are gearing up to participate in Group A of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers for the CAF Women Champions League, set to commence on August 18 in Benin City.
WAFU Zone B qualifiers
The WAFU Zone B qualifiers serve as the preliminary stage for teams in the West African region to secure a spot in the main CAF Women’s Champions League tournament. In this edition, the ultimate goal is to claim the solitary ticket available for WAFU Zone B.
Nigeria has been chosen as the host country for the WAFU Zone B qualifiers, with teams from Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Ghana, Niger Republic, and Togo vying for the opportunity to represent the zone in the upcoming CAF Women Champions League, scheduled to take place in Cote d’Ivoire.
In the draw held on Wednesday, Delta Queens were placed in Group A alongside Union Sportive from Burkina Faso, Athletico from Cote d’Ivoire, and Sam Nelly from Benin Republic.
Group B of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers consists of Ampem Darkoa from Ghana, AS Garde from Niger, and Friend of the World, representing Togo.
The competition will culminate on August 31, with the top teams advancing to the next stage.
Delta Queens journey to the CAF Women Champions League
The team will face formidable competition as they strive to advance to the main tournament and contend for the continental crown.
Delta Queens’ impressive performance in the Nigeria Women’s Football League Playoffs final in June saw them emerge victorious against Rivers Angels FC and Bayelsa Queens FC, who represented Nigeria in the previous two editions of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The triumph of Delta Queens in the playoffs granted them the opportunity to represent the country and continue the Nigerian legacy in the prestigious continental tournament.
This is a significant moment for Delta Queens, as they embark on their maiden campaign in the CAF Women’s Champions League. The club will aim to showcase their talent, determination, and the quality of women’s football in Nigeria.
The host country for the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League is Cote d’Ivoire. It was first hosted by Egypt in 2021, with Morocco hosting last year’s edition.
The format of the tournament will remain unchanged, with the eight participating teams divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semifinals, and the winner of the final will qualify for the continental finals, where the champions of the host country will join them.
AS Far from Morocco are the defending champions, having clinched the title on home soil by defeating holders Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens secured the bronze medal in the previous edition.
As the WAFU Zone B qualifiers approach, Delta Queens and the other participating teams are eagerly preparing to showcase their skills and compete for a chance to represent the zone in the highly anticipated CAF Women’s Champions League.
