Juliet Sunday’s second half goal handed Bayelsa Queens CAF Women’s Champions League bronze medal after a 1-0 win over Simba Queens at the Stade Moulay Hassan, Morocco on Saturday.
This was the first time the Baysela Queens were playing in the tournament and they were eliminated at semi-finals by hosts ASFAR.
The Nigerian ladies started the bronze game brightly and they nearly took the lead in the 10th minute through Glory Edet.
In the 16th minute, Simba defender Dotto Tossy had to make a brilliant intervention to cut out Etim Edidiong’s shot from the right after she had been sent through by a delightful ball from skipper Opo Tukumbuke.
Six minutes later, Simba tried to take the lead through Vivian Odhiambo who drove his way through the Nigerians, but ended up lashing the ball over the crossbar to bring the first half to a close.
Baysela Queens made five attempts with just one on target in the first half, while the Tanzanians had two attempts with none on target.
The second half became more competitive as both teams raised the tempo in search of their maiden medal of the tournament.
It was Baysela Queens who kept Simba Queens defence on the backfoot by creating more chances, but the Tanzanians defence also kept their composure.
Glory Edet came inches close on the hour mark, her low effort from the edge of the box after skillfully evading a tackle from Fatuma Suleiman went just wide.
On the other end, Joelle Bukuru came close to breaking the deadlock when she picked up the ball at the edge of the box but his curling effort was smothered behind for a corner by Rihanat Kasali.
An end-to-end battle followed until Juliet Sunday eventually broke the deadlock off a cross from Mercy Itimi in the 70th minute.
Simba Queens had their best chances in the 87th minute on the clock when Clement sent in a powerful right-footed strike from outside the area after the Nigerians failed to clear their defensive line, but goalkeeper Bawou Gabrielle made a timely one-handed save to deny Simba Queens an equalizer.
