Edo Queens target winning start against Garde Nationale in WAFU B opener
Edo Queens will begin their quest for a return to the CAF Women’s Champions League on Monday when they face AS Garde Nationale of Niger in their opening Group B fixture of the 2026 WAFU B qualifying tournament in Burkina Faso. The match kicks off at 6pm at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou, with the reigning Nigeria Women’s Football League champions aiming to make an early statement in a group that promises a stern test. Having already conquered the WAFU B region in 2024, Edo Queens arrive with valuable experience and will be targeting another deep run as they seek to secure a place at the continental showpiece. Assistant coach Gabriel Benson said the players are ready and good to go, insisting there is only one objective against Garde Nationale: victory. He noted the squad has acclimatised to the local conditions, though the heat in Ouagadougou is slightly more intense than what they are accustomed to in Nigeria. Benson acknowledged Group B contains three former champions but said his players are not intimidated and will take it one game at a time. For Edo Queens, the immediate task is to overcome Garde Nationale and put themselves in a strong position from the outset, hoping their experience, preparation and confidence translate into three crucial points as they bid to conquer WAFU B and earn another opportunity to represent Nigeria on the African stage.
Will Edo Queens’ early victory set the tone for a successful campaign, or will the tough group challenge test their depth and resilience?