Confluence Queens shock Edo Queens on Matchday two of the 2023 NWFL Super 6…
Written by Lucas Uwagwu
Matchday two of the ongoing Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL) Super 6 competition taking place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, saw underdogs Confluence Queens shock Edo Queens as the Lokoja-based side pipped their much-fancied opponents, Edo Queens of Benin by a lone goal to claim all three points.
Following their defeat at the hands of Delta Queens on Tuesday, the Lokoja-based side knew that anything short of a victory would condemn them to relegation and from the blast of the whistle they sat deep hoping to catch their opponents on the break.
The first half proved to be cagey as the Edo side did not create any clear-cut chance despite seeing more of the ball. Edo Queens attacker Yetunde Fajobi was close to opening the deadlock in the dying minutes of the first half, but blazed the ball over the bar, with just Linda Jiwaku in the opposition goal to beat. There was a melee just before the end of the first half though as a forceful tackle from Oshobukola Omowunmi of Edo Queens on Fagbenro Daniella of Confluence Queens, left the latter on the deck and unable to continue, which sparked protests from the spectators as the offender was not booked.
Eleven minutes after the restart, Chukwuamaka Osigwe opened scoring for the Lokoja side, following some neat buildup play from the wings, which sparked jubilations from the watching spectators who cheered the underdogs added with the rivalry between Edo Queens and the watching Delta Queens supporters.
While the Edo Queens endlessly toiled for an equalizer, they faced a formidable Linda Jiwaku in fine form, who thwarted every effort thrown at her and were fortunate not to concede another following a penalty shout by the Lokoja side that the centre referee waved aside. With regulation time spent and the three minutes added almost exhausted, the formidable Linda Jiwaku produced a point-blank reaction save to ensure her side kept all three points.
An elated Coach Ogbonda Whyte, speaking with the press in his post-match conference hailed his girls for a well-deserved victory and their fighting spirit as they managed to shock those who doubted their abilities throughout the season.
“This victory is a well-deserved one and it shows that my girls have all it takes to be here. At the beginning of the season and now, people marked us for relegation, but this victory is a testament to the resilience of my girls”, he said. On the officiating, Whyte described it as a human error and tasked the other officials to do their best to help the centre referee.
Earlier, Bayelsa Queens got their title defence underway with a narrow 1-0 victory over F.C Robo.
Sabastine Flourish netted in the 57th minute after a goalless first half to give the Prosperity Ladies their first three points in the playoff series. The win takes Bayelsa Queens equal on points with Rivers Angels in Group A pending the second-round games.
The defeat marked the end of the road for F.C Robo, after losing their opening game against Rivers Angels. The Lagos Land Ladies are still looking for their first goal and point in the tournament.
