Champions League: Akekoromowei fires Bayelsa Queens to WAFU B final

Bayelsa Queens came from behind to beat Burkina Faso’s USFA 2-1 on Tuesday to reach the final of the 2025 WAFU B Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.

The Prosperity Girls, who won the regional crown in 2022, fell behind inside two minutes when Comfort Yeboah capitalised on a defensive mix-up between Florence Alexander and goalkeeper Monle Omini to lob into an empty net.

Bayelsa responded quickly and levelled in the 15th minute when Shakirat Moshood dispossessed a USFA defender before skipping past three opponents to set up Emem Essien, who headed home the equaliser.

The goal injected confidence into the Nigerians, who began to dictate the tempo with Alaba Olabiyi and Vera Samuel among those pulling the strings in the middle of the park.

The winner arrived in the 62nd minute through Seimeyeha Akekoromowei.

The former Nasarawa Amazons forward pounced on a loose ball and unleashed a thunderous strike from the edge of the box that left the USFA goalkeeper helpless.

Akekoromowei, who had been a standout player in the group stage with decisive goals, once again demonstrated her value and strengthened her reputation as one of the brightest talents in West African women’s football.

She was later named Player of the Match for the second time in the tournament.

The victory means Bayelsa Queens, unbeaten throughout the competition, will face Ivorian champions ASEC Mimosas in Friday’s final after the hosts defeated Ghana’s Police Ladies 4-1 earlier to become the first Ivorian side to reach the WAFU B Women’s Champions League final.

The winner of the regional tournament will secure qualification for the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League and a potential spot at both the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup and the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. Bayelsa, who finished third at the continental finals in Morocco three years ago, are now one game away from another appearance on Africa’s biggest stage.