By IJEOMA OKIGBO

Nigeria’s champions, Edo Queens, began their WAFU-B Women’s Champions League qualifying campaign impressively, defeating AS Garde Nationale of Niger 7-0 in their opening Group B match.

Chioma Moses opened scoring in the fifth minute, giving Edo Queens an early advantage as the Nigerian champions quickly stablished control and put their Nigerien opponents under considerable pressure.

Moses doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time, converting from the penalty spot to send Edo Queens into halftime with a commanding 2-0 lead.

Edo Queens resumed the second half with renewed intensity, with Atume Doosuur scoring two minutes after the restart to increase the advantage to 3-0.

Doosuur completed her brace in the 56th minute before Aminat Folorunsho added another goal six minutes later, as Edo Queens continued their dominant attacking display.

Moses completed her hat-trick in the 76th minute, producing an outstanding individual performance before Oluwakemi Adegbuyi completed the scoring during the third minute of stoppage time.

Moses was subsequently named Woman of the Match after her hat-trick helped Edo Queens secure a convincing victory and make an emphatic statement in their opening qualifying fixture.

The result gives Edo Queens an early boost in their quest to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League, having previously won the WAFU-B competition on debut in 2024.

Ahead of the tournament, Edo Queens assistant coach Gabriel Benson expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to represent Nigeria and Edo State successfully in the continental qualifying competition.

“Edo Queens have all it takes to make the country proud. The girls are ready and good to go,” Benson had said before the tournament.

Edo Queens will next face ASEC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire on Wednesday before meeting Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa on Sunday. (NAN)