Continental Glory: Ikpeme Backs Edo Queens, Rangers, Others To Make Nigeria Proud

Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has expressed confidence in the ability of Edo Queens and four other Nigerian clubs to deliver strong performances in their respective continental competitions this weekend.

Ikpeme urged the teams representing Nigeria to remain focused, determined and committed as they battle their opponents for continental honours.

Edo Queens, the 2024 WAFU-B Women’s Champions League winners, are set to face Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa in the final of this year’s competition in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Victory would secure a place for the Nigerian side in the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.

In the CAF Champions League, Enugu Rangers and Rivers United will begin their respective campaigns in the first preliminary round.

Rivers United will travel to Abidjan to face FC San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire, while Enugu Rangers will host Benin Republic’s SOBEMAP FC at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta. Both matches are first-leg encounters.

Nigeria will also be represented in the CAF Confederation Cup by Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors.

Shooting Stars are scheduled to host Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, while El-Kanemi Warriors will take on Deportivo Nacional of Guinea at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

Ikpeme said he was confident that all five Nigerian teams had the quality and determination required to compete strongly, although he acknowledged that their opponents would also be well prepared and determined to advance.

He particularly praised Edo Queens for reaching the WAFU-B final and expressed optimism that the team could overcome Ampem Darkoa and secure the title.

The NFF official also challenged Enugu Rangers and Rivers United to make a strong start in the CAF Champions League, noting the importance of ending Nigeria’s long wait for continental success in the competition.

Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors were similarly urged to approach their matches with focus, confidence and positive energy as they seek favourable results in the Confederation Cup.

Ikpeme further stressed the need for Nigerian clubs to begin a gradual return to prominence in African club football, with this weekend’s fixtures providing another opportunity to showcase the strength of the country’s domestic game.

Edo Queens have reached the final after an impressive run that included a 7-0 victory over AS Garde Nationale of Niger Republic and a 3-1 win against ASEC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire.

They subsequently defeated USFA of Burkina Faso 5-1 in the semi-final to book their place in Saturday’s final against Ampem Darkoa at the Stade August 4 in Ouagadougou.

The Nigerian teams will now be hoping to translate their domestic and regional form into strong performances on the continental stage and advance to the next stages of their respective competitions.