Africa Sports of Cote d’Ivoire ran riot as they swatted AS Police aside 5-0 in their opening WAFU B zonal qualifier of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League on Saturday.
The Abidjan-based club started their campaign in style by scoring three goals to establish a firm lead before half-time of the opening match in Yamoussoukro.
Two strikes in the second-half sealed the fate of the Niger club and completed the emphatic victory for the home club in the Group A match.
Sandrine Adjoua Edwige opened the scoring on 14 minutes before Abrogoua Akebié’s header extended the lead before Esperance Cousso made it 3-0 in the 36th minute.
Edwige missed her chance to score a brace after her penalty kick went off the crossbar just after the break captain Doudou Yeti scored in the 69th minute.
Deborah Ange completed the emphatic victory with just ten minutes remaining to spark Africa Sports’ hopes of reaching the knock-out stages of the tournament.
The result of the game was a reflection of the complete dominance of the home side who dominated the early exchanges against the hapless police side from Niamey.
It was no surprise in the 14th minute when a well worked pass from midfield allowed Edwige to break free before beating the goalkeeper.
Akebie’s header deceived the AS Police shot-stopper despite the latter’s desperate effort to clear the ball on the line before Cousso made it 3-0.
Edwige could have made it 4-0 just before half-time after an Ivorian midfielder was brought down in the box but her powerful penalty hit the crossbar.
The captain of Africa Sports Yeti was close to easily slotting into the net and Ange sealed the victory with her goal in the 80th minute.
AS Police will have the chance to revive their hopes in the tournament when they play Espoir of Benin on Tuesday.
Africa Sports will take a rest on Tuesday with their next game scheduled for Friday against Espoir in the three-team group.
The tournament continues on Sunday with two matches in Group B as Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies will play USFA of Burkina Faso while Togolese club Athleta will play Bayelsa Ladies of Nigeria.
Source: Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF)