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Edo Queens coach Moses Aduku has revealed the moment that changed the course of the heartbreaking 3-1 semi-final defeat to TP Mazembe and have shifted his focus to Friday’s third-place playoff against FC Masar.
The Nigerian champions took to the match, a momentum to secure a historic final appearance, but their dreams were dashed as they surrendered a one-goal advantage in the dying minutes of regular time before conceding twice in extra time.
“Sometimes in football, you don’t get the thing you want. This was not the result we expected.”
“My girls played well but unfortunately, we lost concentration right at the 90th minute. It’s unfortunate, but that’s football for you. It can happen to anybody,” Aduku said after the match.
Emem Essien had given Edo Queens the lead in the 65th minute, lobbing the goalkeeper for her third goal of the tournament and putting the Nigerian Women’s Football League champions ahead.
The goal sparked hopes of a historic final appearance, but the team’s dream shifted when TP Mazembe’s Merveille Nanguji rose to head home from a corner in the dying moments of regulation time, leveling the score at 1-1.
The match then turnaround and swung into TP Mazembe’s favor during extra time.
In the 101st minute, Edo Queens’ Super Falcons defender Comfort Folorunso turned the ball into her own net, giving TP Mazembe a 2-1 lead.
Marlene Yav Kasaj sealed the victory with a penalty in the 120th minute, leaving Edo Queens devastated.
“I told them (towards the end of the game) actually, I told them the game is over, put the ball sideways all through, the ball should not be out, but they conceded that cheap corner kick,” Aduku added.
Looking ahead, the coach remains determined, now looking to rally his team for the third-place clash against FC Masar, with hopes of salvaging something from their remarkable tournament run.
