Rivers Angels defending champions of the AITEO Cup began their defence with a hard fought win over Osun Babes in day two of the group stage games at the Lafia Township Stadium.
Two second half goals ensured that last year’s winners began this year’s campaign on the best possible note. A great header from Yetunde Adeboyejo early in the second half and a late assurance goal from Rofiat Sule gave the holders all three points.
At the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode it was a battle of freekicks between Sunshine Queens of Akure and Nasarawa Amazons. Sunshine Queens went ahead early on but the League defending champions soon drew level thanks to a sumptous freekick by Okoye Ebere.
This was then followed by a red card to Nasarawa Amazon’s Victor Esther in the 42nd minute and it didn’t take long for the Akure based side to take advantage of the situation and go ahead; thanks to another beautiful freekick on the stroke of half time.
As time wound down in the second half, Sunshine Queens failed to add to their tally to seal the game and we’re soon punished by an Anam Imo leveller. They we’re then presented with another chance from the penalty spot to regain the lead but Aminat Yakuku failed to convert as both teams settled for a 2-2 draw.
Meanwhile at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Delta Queens and FC Robo played out an entertaining 3-3 draw as both teams shared the spoils in their 2018 AITEO Cup opener.
Full results from day 1:
Group A
Osun Babes 0-2 Rivers Angels
Group B
Confluence Queens 3-2 Delta Babes
Group C
Sunshine Queens 1-1 Bayelsa Queens
Nasarawa Amazons 2-2 Sunshine Queens
Group D
Delta Queens 3-3 FC Robo
