Itimi hat-trick steers Bayelsa Queens to emphatic WAFU B qualifying win 

Mercy Itimi scored three goals to help Bayelsa Queens secure an emphatic 5-0 victory over Athleta of Togo at the WAFU B zonal qualifier of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League on Sunday.
The striker’s second-half heroics helped the Nigerian side to convincingly win their Group B match played at the Stade Yamoussoukro in Cote d’Ivoire after their total dominance.

Itimi demolished the Togolese in a space of 25 minutes after two early goals by Miracle Joseph and Blessing Etim had given the Nigerians the comfortable lead.

Joseph netted the opener on six minutes before Etim doubled their advantage two minutes later, to dampen the fighting spirit of Athleta.

Bayelsa Queens returned from the break more determined to extend their lead and Itimi started her show in the 64th minute as she scored from close range.

She made the score 4-0 in the 78th minute before wrapping up the victory with an intelligent goal just before full time to seal the comprehensive win.

The victory took Bayalsa to the top of the table, two goals better than the Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies who defeated Burkina Faso’s USFA 3-0 in Sunday’s first match.

Elizabeth Owusu opened the scoring in the 6th minute before Mariam Ouattara inadvertently put the ball into her own net to make the score 2-0 before half-time.

Mavis Owusu scored with just one minute remaining to complete the impressive win for the Ghanaians who go second in the group.

Bayelsa will take on Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday in the group’s next game while Athleta play USFA.

The competition continues on Tuesday with AS POlice of Nigeria taking on Espoir on Benin in Group A.