CAF Women’s Champs Lge – WAFU B qualifiers: Amponsah fires four in Darkoa Ladies win
Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies began their CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU Zone B qualifying campaign with an emphatic 4-2 win over Togolese club Amid Du Monde at the tournament in Nigeria on Sunday.
Led by a four-goal haul from Mary Amponsah, Ampem raced into an early lead through the striker after just 14 seconds before Amid du Monde equalised against the run of play Chinwendu Ufomba.
Amponsah capitalized on an error to restore Darkoa’s advantage three minutes later. She completed her hat-trick shortly after halftime to give the Ghanaians a two-goal cushion.
The prolific forward grabbed her fourth in the 62nd minute as Darkoa dominated proceedings.
Despite a late consolation, Ampem held on for an impressive opening victory in Benin City.
The win provides a major boost to Ampem ahead of their final and next Group B match against Ivorian club Atletico FC in their three-team group.
Amponsah’s clinical finishing proved the difference in a statement performance from the Ghanaian champions.
Meanwhile in the opening game of the competition earlier on Sunday, Delta Queens showed resilience and quality to defeat Burkina Faso’s USFA 3-0 despite being reduced to 10 players early on.
The Nigerian league champions had Vera Samuel sent off in the opening exchanges of the Group A match but still dominated the contest to earn a crucial victory in the opening match of the tournament in Benin City.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Delta Queens raced into a 5th minute lead through striker Alaba Olabiyi’s composed finish.
With the Nigerian coach forced into a tactical reshuffle due to the red card, the home side displayed great determination against their Burkinabe opponents.
The ten-woman Delta side doubled their advantage on the hour mark as midfielder Chinaza Agoh pounced on a defensive mistake to make it 2-0.
As USFA pushed for a way back into the match, the Nigerians put the result beyond doubt when substitute Mercy Omokwo slotted home the third goal with 11 minutes remaining.
The win leaves Delta Queens in a strong position to qualify for the knock-out stages on the competition in their three-team Group A.
The tournament continues on Tuesday when Amis du Monde face Athletico of Cte d’Ivoire while Burkinabe side USFA take on Sam Nelly of Benin.