By Amaechi Agbo

The coach of Nigeria’s representative at the maiden edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt have blamed the 3-0 defeat the team suffered in the hands of ASFAR of Morocco on Saturday on travelling issues and tiredness, www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Rivers Angels arrived Cairo, Egypt, venue of the Champions League on Friday, less than 24 hours before their opener.

The team were reportedly stranded in Lagos by the Nigerian immigration officers after they were not issued visas which delayed their departure.

Playing at Al Salam Stadium, Egypt, Cairo, on Saturday in Group B second match,
ASFAR thrashed Rivers Angels 3-0 to top the group with Sanaa Mssoudy scoring all the three goals to make history as the first player to record a hat-trick in the competition.

Sanaa scored the first goal at the 31st minute and twice in the second half at 74th with individual skills and again at the 84th minute.to condemn the Nigeria champions to huge defeat.

Speaking in post match briefing, Rivers Angels coach, Edwin Okon said the team paid the expected price for their traveling issues and tiredness adding that his job is to rouse their spirit and keep going.

“The team is tired from all the traveling issues and that’s the normal result.

“My job is to pick up their spirit, let them know that the game is over and recover for the next matches,” the Chief Scout of the Super Falcons said.

Hat-trick heroine, Sanaa Mssoudy expressed joy over her performance and the result of the match and dedicated her feat to her late father who passed away.

“I’m very happy to be the first player to score a hat-trick in WCL, I dedicate it to my father who passed away”.

“My favorite goal of the hat-trick was the second one because I showed my capabilities and skills in it. It’s all due to my team’s efforts”.

ASFAR Coach Abadallah Haidamou reckoned that the win and the points are great motivation for the team attributing nthe win to team work.

“The first 3 points give us huge motivation for the rest of the matches. Every coach wishes for his players to be the best, I’m very proud of Sanaa and her teammates

“I don’t think we won because the opponent was tired, we played good football and that’s why we won.”

“The second goal of Sanaa’s was brilliant, we physically reacted to it. But the third goal is my favorite as it shows teamwork and right movements”.

Rivers Angels will be on the pitch again on Tuesday when they take on Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.