Bayelsa Queens head coach Domo Okara has conceded defeat following the club’s 1-0 result to ASFAR in the CAF Women’s Champions League semi-final match on Wednesday in Rabat.
The Nigerians were left to lick their wounds after Ibtissam Jraidi’s first half fine finish was all the Moroccans needed to dash the West Africans’ title dream at Stade Moulay Hassan.
The 45-year-old coach, who guided Bayelsa Queens to the WAFU-B title in August, while reflecting on their second disappointing result in Morocco, is looking on the bright side.
“It was a good game, I must confess that the Moroccan team is very good. We gave our best and I am disappointed we didn’t win, but life goes on,” Okara told CAFOnline.com.
“We started a little bit late, the Morrocan team dominated the first 20-25 minutes, I have watched all their games, and I thought we will be able to do more than this, but we must give it to them, they are a very good side, and they are playing home.
“My girls are disappointed so am I, but it is a game of football, it is past and there is nothing we can do about it. I am happy we played well, though we lost.
When asked about lessons learned from the defeat and the next target, Okara continued: “This kind of competition is very good for our girls, not only the country but also the club sides, they started very high, I know it was very difficult, but I am happy that Africa has come of age in women’s football.
“In the coming years, the African team would win the Women’s World Cup. It is very good that we African teams compete amongst ourselves to improve, and as a coach, I have learnt a lot. I will be coming back to Morocco.
“My girls tried their best but it wasn’t good enough, but we will come back and fight better next time. We will go out and play, we have lost, there is nothing we can do.
“Our goal is to clinch the title, to become the champion of Africa, but we didn’t get it, we lost to a good side and we will see what we can do to get the third position. We’d see how we will recuperate and come back and play the third place.”
On his impression about the final between Mamelodi Sundowns and ASFAR, he said: “I know It will be a very tactical match and high level, I will love to watch the match, it shows it is the two best teams here playing the finals.
“I would have loved to be in the finals, but you can’t take it away from the two teams, the South African team and the Moroccan team they are the two teams that beat us. I will say they are better than us, we are here to learn and wish the best side win.”
Source: Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF)