Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens have arrived in Ivory Coast to begin their push for a spot in the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League. The six-time Nigerian champions touched down in Abidjan on Friday and immediately held their first training session at Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny before moving to Yamoussoukro, where the WAFU-B qualifiers will take place from August 23 to September 5.
Placed in Group B, Bayelsa will face Ghana’s Police Ladies, AS de la Kozah of Togo, and Benin Republic’s Sam Nelly. They open their campaign against the Ghanaian champions on Sunday. With only the top team in each group advancing to the semi-finals, every match will be decisive.
Club chairman Robin Angonimi Apreala stated that the squad came “for real business” and are determined to make Nigeria proud. Head coach Whyte Ogbonda is expected to rely on the team’s discipline, tactical strength, and experience from previous campaigns.
The Prosperity Girls are aiming to replicate their remarkable 2022 debut, when they won the WAFU-B title in Ivory Coast, reached the semi-finals in Morocco, and claimed third place after defeating Simba Queens of Tanzania.
Winners of the WAFU-B tournament will earn a place at the finals in Algeria later this year, alongside champions from other CAF zones, the host nation’s league winners, and defending champions AS FAR.