Rivers Angels striker Vivian Ikechukwu says playing at the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt has made her a better player.

The Jewel of Rivers had a below par outing at the tournament last month, failing to go past the group stage after suffering back-to-back defeats to Moroccan side ASFAR and eventual champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies of South Africa.

Though Ikechukwu scored twice as the perennial Nigerian champions thrashed Kenyan side Vihiga Queens 4-0 in their last group game, but it was not enough for Edwin Okon’s ladies to progress to the knockout phase.

Despite her team’s unimpressive showing in Cairo, the Super Falcons forward says the experience of playing in such a high-profile competition was completely fantastic and memorable.

“It was as if I was on top of the world because I felt like I came for the African Nations Cup (AWCON), I won’t lie,” the 24-year-old former Abia Angels star said.  

“The treatment we got there was just as if we went for Nations Cup. It was a good outing, I must say. It was a good outing.

“The exposure has really helped me in improving myself day by day, working on myself, what to expect, my fans looking up to me. So, I just have to keep on doing my best at all times.”

On her team’s disappointing performance in the CAF Women’s Champions League, Ikechukwu says she has put that behind, adding that it is a testament that women’s football is growing on the continent.

“Actually, I’ve gotten over what really happened in that tournament because I don’t dwell in my past, but honestly speaking, it was a disappointing outing, no doubt,” she admitted. “It wasn’t what we expected. So, now we know what to expect next time, probably, when we get that opportunity to represent Nigeria at that CAF level.

“At least, we’ve known how other clubs have improved in Africa. Now we know the level of our game and the standard of our league down here.  So, it’s a good one.

“I’m impressed with the level of women football in Africa.”