Bayelsa Queens fought back from an early setback to beat Burkina Faso’s USFA 2-1 on Tuesday, booking their place in the semi-finals of the 2025 WAFU B Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.

The Prosperity Girls, champions of the region in 2022, were stunned inside two minutes when Comfort Yeboah punished a defensive lapse between Florence Alexander and goalkeeper Monle Omini, lofting the ball into an empty net.

Bayelsa responded swiftly and drew level in the 15th minute. Shakirat Moshood dispossessed a USFA defender and danced past three markers before setting up Emem Essien, who nodded home the equaliser.

That goal shifted momentum firmly in favour of the Nigerians, with midfielders Alaba Olabiyi and Vera Samuel orchestrating play as Bayelsa grew in confidence.

The winner arrived in the 62nd minute through Janet Akekoromowei. The former Nasarawa Amazons striker latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the area and rifled a thunderous shot beyond the USFA goalkeeper.

Akekoromowei, already a standout performer in the group stage, cemented her reputation as one of West Africa’s brightest attacking talents and was deservedly named Player of the Match for the second time in the tournament.

The victory, which extends Bayelsa Queens’ unbeaten run, sets up a mouthwatering final against Ivorian champions ASEC Mimosas, who thrashed Ghana’s Police Ladies 4-1 earlier in the day to become the first club from Ivory Coast to reach the WAFU B Women’s Champions League semi-finals.

Friday’s clash will not only decide the regional crown but also determine who qualifies for the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League and keeps alive hopes of featuring in both the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup and the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.

Bayelsa Queens, who finished third at the continental finals in Morocco three years ago, now stand just one win away from another shot on Africa’s grandest stage.