By Our Correspondent

Nigeria champions, Bayelsa Queens on Thursday bounced back from a disappointing opening defeat to beat TP Mazembe of Democratic Republic of Congo 2-0 in their second CAF Women’s Champions League group stage game in Marrakech.

First half goals from Miracle Joseph and Chinyere Igbomalu were all Domo Okara’s ladies needed to see off their Central African rivals and keep their semi-final hopes alive at Grand Stade de Marrakech.

The Prosperity Girls made a fine start to the duel as Igbomalu was brought down inside the box as early as the opening 30 seconds of the match for Joseph to convert the ensuing penalty and put the Nigerians in front.

The DR Congo champions almost found a way back when Richanelle Kiteko fired a powerful shot from distance but keeper Ange Gabrielle Bawou pushed the ball over the back in the ninth minute.

The WAFU-B representatives went on to add another when Juliet Sunday teed up Chinyere Igbomalu to blast home on the second attempt after her first was rebuffed by keeper Yvonne Obonga in the 24th minute to ensure a two-goal lead at half time.

Both teams created chances after the break, with Sunday twice coming close to increasing the tally, while Kiteko and Naomie Kabakaba got their moments of brilliance but could not reduce the deficit as the Nigerians hanged on to claim their first win.

With the victory, Bayelsa now has their destiny in their own hands as they move up to second on Group B standings with three points before their must-win final match against Wadi Degla in Rabat on Sunday

For Mazembe, they look to keep their qualification dream afloat against title holders Mamelodi Sundowns, who required just a point to confirm their place in the last four of the competition.

Meanwhile, Cameroonian goalkeeper Ange Gabrielle Bawou won the Woman of the Match following her goalkeeping heroics between the sticks in Bayelsa Queens’ clinical victory over their Congolese counterparts.