This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
HIBAPRESS-RABAT-CAF
Both teams come from Group B and qualified for the semi-finals. Edo Queens finished first in their group, while Masar took second place.
This is their second meeting in this tournament.
The two teams met in their second group match on November 13 at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, a match which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Masar are the second team from North Africa to participate in the third place match, after AS FAR, who did so in 2021 and 2023, winning the encounter each time.
Edo Queens becomes the second Nigerian club to compete in the play-off for third place, after Bayelsa Queens who triumphed over Simba Queens in 2022.
Edo Queens are also the third West African team to participate in this third place match, alongside Bayelsa Queens, who won in 2022, and Ampem Darkoa, who lost to AS FAR in 2023.
The previous three third-place matches saw goals scored and a winner inside 90 minutes: in 2021, AS FAR defeated Malabo Kings 3-1, while in 2022, Bayelsa Queens beat Simba Queens 1-0.
For the second year in a row, two teams who faced each other in the group stage find themselves in the match for third place. In the 2023 edition, Ampem Darkoa eliminated the defending champions AS FAR 2-1 in the group stage, but the latter took revenge by beating the Ghanaians 2-0 to clinch third place.
FC Masar (Egypt)
Masar was eliminated in the semi-finals by host AS FAR.
Masar became the first Egyptian team to reach the knockout stage, finishing in second place in their Group B.
In the group stage, Masar beat defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in their first match, before drawing 0-0 against Edo Queens, winning 2-1 against CBE of Ethiopia and lost 2-1 against AS FAR in the semi-finals.
Masar is the first team to beat Sundowns in a group match at the finals. Before this defeat, the two-time winners were undefeated after 9 group matches.
Masar won three penalties during this final phase, converting two and missing one.
Among the four semi-finalists, Masar is the team that has scored the fewest goals, with a total of four goals.
Masar kept a clean sheet twice, in his first two matches. Since then, the team has conceded three goals.
Masar player Mahira Ali created 9 chances during this final phase, placing her name in third position among all competitors.
Masar goalkeeper Habiba Sabry made 10 saves in four appearances, the third best total among goalkeepers this edition.
Sandrine Niyonkuru is Masar’s top scorer with two goals scored. She also missed a penalty in the semi-final defeat against AS FAR.
Niyonkuru has a shooting accuracy of 60%.
Currently, Masar has a shot conversion rate of 16%, only AS FAR (32.6%) has a better success rate.
Edo Queens (Nigeria)
Edo Queens became the second Nigerian team to reach the semi-finals, after Bayelsa Queens in 2022.
Edo Queens is the first Nigerian club to go through the group stage of this competition without losing (2 wins, 1 draw).
If they win this match, Edo Queens will become the second Nigerian team to clinch third place, after Bayelsa Queens in 2022.
A victory in regulation time will allow Edo Queens to become the first Nigerian team to win three matches in the same edition of the final tournament.
Edo Queens started the tournament with a 3-0 victory against CBE of Ethiopia, before drawing 0-0 against Masar. They then eliminated defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, winning 2-1 in their final group match. In the semi-finals, they were beaten 3-1 after extra time by TP Mazembe, despite opening the score.
Edo Queens are the second team, after Ampem Darkoa in 2023, to open the score in the semi-final and lose. Darkoa led against SC Casablanca in 2023 before finally losing on penalties.
Emem Essien scored her third goal in this edition, giving Edo Queens the lead in their semi-final against TP Mazembe, becoming the first player to score three goals for a Nigerian club in the same edition of the competition.
Essien is the first player to score in three different matches for a Nigerian club at the final tournament.
Edo Queens completed 1367 passes, no other club achieved more.
Edo Queens placed 24 shots on target, the second highest total of this edition, only ahead of AS FAR (30).
Edo Queens’ players have a 77% tackle success rate, the highest among the four semi-finalists.
Edo Queens are the team that have suffered the fewest shots so far, with only 10 shots conceded.
