Edo Queens coach, Moses Aduku has credited striker Emem Essien for her crucial role in the team’s success in their 2-1 group stage victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at the CAF Women’s Champions League.

The Nigerian side advanced to the semi-finals after Essien’s equalizer in stoppage time was followed by a last-minute winner from Mary Mamudu.

“Essien is a determined and skilled player. If you look at her size, you would underrate her, but I tell you, she is very crafty, and you can imagine with her size we are playing her as a top striker and she is delivering.”

“Generally, we don’t build the team around a player, but she’s been crucial.”

“She did that during our Super 6 in Nigeria as well,” Aduku said in the game’s post-match conference.

Essien’s goal was her second of the tournament, and she was named Player of the Match.

Looking ahead, Aduku noted that while reaching the semi-finals was a big achievement, the team must refine their finishing.

“One more game to the final; it won’t be easy, and we are going to go into our plans for the next game. It will be tough.”

“Honestly, we need to work on our goal conversion. Clear-cut chances that we should have scored; we will work to improve on that.”

Edo Queens now face TP Mazembe on Tuesday with the ambition of becoming the first Nigerian club to reach the final of the competition.