Rivers Angels head coach Edwin Okon has advocated for improvement in the quality of officiating in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) after her side spanked Delta Queens 3-1 to go top of Group A.
Okon spoke to ACLSports after his wards’ entertaining victory in the Match Day Nine encounter decided at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt on Wednesday evening.
“I think at this level, the league is more than what people think. It is a Premier League, it is not an amateur league. So we need sound referees who will take care of the league at this level.
“You can as well see the calls, I’m not here to complain, and not because my team won but I think we need sound referees so that we can see the good side of the league,” said Okon to www.aclsports.com
Forward Alice Ogebe was the star of the show for Angels as she netted twice – one in each half – from long range efforts after captain of the day, Cecilia Nku had opened scoring with a spectacular free kick in the eight minute. Rose Ekong’s 30th minute controversial goal proved to be a mere consolation in the end for Queens.
The game was littered with incompetent calls by the Assistant referees (especially) but Angels’ superiority shone through against their opponents.
“We are not yet in form and we will not allow the back to back wins get into our heads. We are still work in progress and we still have the AITEO Cup to play for as well,” added Okon.
Rivers Angels’ second league win in a row has taken them to the summit of the NWFL Group B table with eighteen points from nine matches, two ahead of Wednesday’s opponents Delta Queens.
Head coach of the Delta side, Tosan Blankson is however adamant that his side will still win the league.
“The standard (of the game) was very very high. We expected what Rivers Angels gave us because we knew they would prepare for us. The first goal demoralised my girls a little because it was from a free kick where nobody expected it to go in because it was from a tight angle.
“We will efinitely have something to win. We will be winning the league, we are very confident of that. There are still many games left and the Super Four also,” said Blankson, a former junior international.
In Group A’s other game decided on Wednesday, Ibom Angels came from a goal down to beat Edo Queens 2-1 at the Old Uyo Township Stadium. Fehintola Mabokanje scored both goals from the penalty spot for Whyte Ogbonda’s side after they fell behind early in the second half.
Other NWFL Results (Group B)
Nasarawa United 2-1 Osun Babes
FC Robo 1-0 Jokodolu Babes
Abia Angels 2-0 Adamawa Queens
Sunshine Queens 2-0 Pelican Stars
