Nigeria champions begin WAFU-B Women's Champions League Qualifiers against AS GNN
Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) champions Edo Queens will begin their campaign in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU-B qualifiers when they face AS Garde Nationale (AS GNN) of Niger in their Group B opener in Burkina Faso.
The encounter is scheduled for 6pm at the Stade 4 Août in Ouagadougou, with the Nigerian champions aiming to make a strong start in their bid to reclaim the WAFU-B title and secure a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Edo Queens, the 2024 WAFU-B champions, have expressed confidence ahead of the regional championship, with assistant coach Gabriel Benson assuring that the team is fully prepared for the challenge.
Speaking after the team’s training session on Sunday evening, Benson said the players understand the significance of the assignment and are determined to represent Edo State and Nigeria with distinction.
“The girls are ready and good to go. They know the opportunity laid here 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. We are playing our first match against AS Garde Nationale of Niger and we dream of nothing but total victory.”
Benson also disclosed that Edo Queens arrived in Burkina Faso early enough to acclimatise to the environment, although he noted that the weather conditions are somewhat different from what the players are accustomed to in Nigeria.
“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, but we are doing all that is needed to ensure that we have a smooth run in this WAFU-B play-off.”
The assistant coach acknowledged the quality of opposition in Group B, which features several teams with previous experience in the competition, but insisted that Edo Queens are not intimidated by the challenge.
“We have come to play against anybody here, knowing that the group we are placed in has three former champions that we know. 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.”
Edo Queens will be hoping to translate their impressive domestic form to the continental stage as they begin another quest for WAFU-B supremacy and qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The Benin-based side will be looking to start the campaign on a winning note against AS GNN before turning their attention to the other challenges in what promises to be a highly competitive group.
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