…Delta Queens are 2023 NWFL champions in Asaba.
As the curtains were finally drawn on the week-long Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL) 2022/23 Super 6 tournament, hosts Delta Queens are 2023 NWFL champions after coming from behind to defeat defending champions 2-1 in a fierce encounter.
In the game, dubbed “The Battle of the Queens”, both teams had pride, reputation, bragging rights and most importantly, a cash prize of N10 million at stake.
The defending champions started the game brightly as the mercurial Flourish Sabastine proved to be a thorn in the flesh of the home team. One such attempt led to a foul at the edge of the Delta Queens box in the 14th minute, and from the resultant free-kick taken by Sabastine, the ball cannoned of the bar before going off Chisom Henry into the net for an own-goal. The goal unsettled the home side as they struggled to create attempts regularly.
Delta Queens then had the opportunity to get an all-important equalizer before the break in the 42nd minute. The leading scorer in the NWFL this season, Mercy Omokwo was brought down in the box and the referee awarded a penalty, despite protests by Bayelsa Queens. However, Fehintola Mabokanje blazed the resulting kick over the bar, much to the agony of the home fans.
At the resumption of the break, the home side, Delta Queens took the game by the scruff of the neck, chasing a leveller.
In the 67th minute, substitute Chinaza Agoh pulled the home side level, to the relief of the watching fans. Agoh popped up again, four minutes from regulation time to put her side in front for the first time in the game, as they held on to claim their sixth NWFL title and the N10 million cash prize.
Coach Tosan Blackson congratulated his girls for showing tenacity after falling behind early in the game to lift the trophy in front of home fans.
“It was not an easy game but in the end, we won. I congratulate my girls for showing grit and determination to come from behind to put smiles on the faces of home fans. They did not show fear and adapted to the situation, especially in the second half,” he said.
Delta Queens trio of Mercy Omokwo, Chinaza Agoh and Abdeline Ngbechi carted home individual awards. Omokwo went home with the Golden Boot for the highest number of goals, while Agoh picked up the MVP award, with Ngbechi who emerged with the Golden Gloves award.
