Nigerian champions Edo Queens will begin their 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League qualifying campaign on Monday when they face AS Garde Nationale of Niger in their opening Group B fixture of the WAFU B tournament in Burkina Faso, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The encounter is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou, with Edo Queens aiming to start their campaign on a winning note.
The reigning NWFL champions head into the competition with confidence, having been backed by assistant coach Gabriel Benson to deliver a strong performance.
Benson said the players are fully prepared and aware of the responsibility that comes with representing both Edo State and Nigeria on the continental stage.
“Edo Queens have all it takes to make the country proud,” he said.
“The girls are ready and good to go. They know the opportunity laid before them, and they also know that they are representing Edo State and Nigeria at large. I know they are ready to fight to the end to win our first game and the WAFU B trophy. We are here for real business.”
The coach added that the team arrived in Burkina Faso early enough to adapt to the conditions and has been working on ensuring the players are comfortable despite the hotter weather.
“We are playing our first match against AS Garde Nationale of Niger. We dream of nothing but total victory. We came here on time, and our players are acclimatising well.”
Benson acknowledged the difficulty of Edo Queens' group, noting that it contains three former champions, but insisted that his side is not intimidated by the challenge.
“We have come to play against anybody here, knowing that the group we are placed in has three former champions that we know.”
“We are not scared. It is a tough group, no doubt. AS Garde Nationale is the only team new to us in Group B. We are prepared, and it is one game at a time.”
Edo Queens will be hoping to reproduce their success from the 2024 WAFU B competition as they begin their latest quest for continental glory and a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League.