CAFWCL: Debutant Edo Queens Thrash Ethiopian Opponent In Group Opener

Edo Queens Quash The Opposition 3:0 – A Retrospective Review

Well taken strikes from Emem Essien, Folashade Ijamilusi and Chukwuamaka Osigwe sealed a fabulous 3:0 victory for Edo Queens in their Champions League curtain raiser over the weekend.

Playing a 4-2-1-3 type formation, the enterprising West African champions looked very comfortable within the fabric of the formation deployed which captured my imagination compellingly.

Seeing them whip in delightful crosses into dangerous areas from various parts of the pitch was a thing of beauty and precision as is led to all three goals scored.

Don’t let the scoreline fool you, the opposition, CBE of Ethiopia, were physical, imposing, tenacious and professional. Edo Queens were simply a class above on the day with a sound strategy that was executed eloquently by players clearly on top of their game and brimming with confidence and determination.

They were at home playing out from behind with assurance. They bosses precedings with clever interplay of passes in midfield.

The game was played to a high standard by both teams who tore into each other with intent. Edo Queens just had more bite up front.

There were moments of tactical gravitas and panache to savour, particularly on the right side from Usani, Ijemilusi and Moses. On occasions, they would individually bamboozle their markers with dashing dribbles, meaty movements and tantalising take-ons. They even laced these with thrilling end products in quality passes and crosses that concluded their fancy foot-works.

Edo Queens players were as fit as fiddle. They displayed aggression of the positive kind across all departments. Their incursions into enemy territory were purposefully, incisive and insidious.

A key feature of Nigeria’s three goals was “simple but effective first touch”. Ijemilusi had no right to control and shoot from a tight angle for the second goal. Essien would literally pluck the ball from the sky, tame it and blast home for the first. Whilst my darling player Osigwe would take out her marker by leading the hapless defender up the garden path with the proverbial drop of the shoulder before finishing with aplomb.

Kudos also to the providers of the assists to the goals who picked out the scorers with perfection and precision with powerful probes and perfectly placed purposeful passes.

All the players involved in the build up to the goals handled their responsibilities with thought, care and attention and a vein of professionalism peppered in.

Are there any areas of criticisms? hmmmm. Okay, although the goalkeeper wasn’t overly troubled, I think Oyono looked shaky and unconvincing at times. Edo Queens could be accused of being a one-trick-pony team as they looked more menacing only down the flanks. They struggled to create anything meaningful or carve the Ethiopians open down the middle. Despite the handsome scoreline, there were still some wasteful chances from Moses for example. Ethiopia’s lack of guile, imagination and penetration up front meant we don’t know how vulnerable Edo Queens’ back 4 is.

But for me, those are minor nitpicks. This Edo Queens outfit look solid, simple. Without being arrogant, I genuinely tip them to go far in the tournament.

Their brand of football drew me in and definitely kept me engaged for the duration, so much so I abandoned watching Arsenal v Chelsea because of the professionalism, application and excitement Edo Queens, and the Ethiopians to be fair, generated.

More grass to their boots!