Reigning Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) Champions, Bayelsa Queens defeated last season’s AITEO Cup Champions, Rivers Angels 2-0 to emerge Champions Shield winners in Yenagoa on Saturday evening.
After losing out on an opportunity to win a trophy early in the season it was no surprise that Rivers Angels started brightly at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa but the restoration girls defended well twarting every promising move by Rivers Angels.
More importantly, Ihiabe Rabi was terrific in goal for the league champions as Rivers Angels failed to make all the first half pressure count.
Imperious in defence for Bayelsa Queens, Uzoamaka Igwe eventually gave the home side the lead beating Charity John in goal for Rivers Angels with a beautifully struck free kick in the 43rd minute.
Having gone into the lead, the girls from Bayelsa kept their cool allowing Rivers Angels have more of the ball and dictate play hoping to hold on to their lead, soak up the pressure and hit on the counter to consolidate on their lead.
For all the early changes anf all their attacking play Rivers Angels failed to make it count. Although they did hit the woodwork Rivers Angels however failed to find the back of the net.
With 10mins from end of regulation time, Lucky Odiri poked home for Bayelsa Queens from close range following a goal mouth scramble after Charity John’s saved effort.
At the end River Angels were left to rue their missed chances an continuous pressure which failed to yield result as Bayelsa Queens emerged winners of the NWPL Champions Shield.
