Bayelsa Queens duo Osarenoma Igbinovia and Rofiat Sule lead the nominations for May’s Nigeria Women Premier League Player of the Month award as powered by Futbalgalore.com. Igbinovia has been in good form and chalked up two assists in two appearances, while also finding the net in the win over COD Ladies. Sule has benefitted from […]
via Igbinovia, Five Others Gets Player Of The Month Award Nomination — newfanzoneblog
Nigerian Women league and Federation Cup holders Rivers Angels were beaten 2-1 by Bayelsa Queens in a friendly game at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The game was used as test for both sides who were drawn in separate groups of the upcoming Nigeria Women league season which kicks off on Saturday in an abridged format.
Fringe players such as Mabel Effiom, Peace Obioma, Uju Joseph, Emenike Ijeoma, Obi Ijeoma and NWPL topscorer last season Amarachi Orjinma were given the nod to show their worth in the absence of 10 key players who are away on national duty with the Super Falcons.
In the 7th minute, former Pelican queens forward, Orjinma fired her team’s first real attempt over the bar.
River Angels however went behind soon after as they conceded a free kick in the 21st minute when new recruit, Effiom brought down Uzoamaka Igwe on the edge of the 18 yard box.
Igwe dusted herself up and converted the kick from an acute angle position directly into the net, leaving goalkeeper Charity John with no chance.
Three minutes later, Effiom drew the host level after being awarded a free kick a few meters from the right hand of the 18 yard box.
The remaining part of the first half ended with not many clear cut chances created with more of the battle taking place in the midfield.
The second half started with the visitors acting like a house on fire with most of the action played in Rivers Angels half in the first 15 minutes of the second period.
Bayelsa Queens enjoyed the larger part of the possession, dominating play, and having the highest completed passes in the game.
Charity John who was in goal for Rivers Angels, had her hands full making three saves from Edeji Chidinma, Esther Udegbe and Rafiat Sule who all combined well on different occasions to cause terror on a porous Rivers Angels defence.
Amarachi Orjinma yet again found her shot roll over the bar in 63rd minute but the Flamingoes star Cynthia Aku made better use of her chance which was saved by Favour Nwaaha in goal for Bayelsa Queens.
In the 71st minute, another Flamingoes star, Joy Bokiri who was a torn in the flesh in the second half , linked up well with Rafiat Sule in the 18 yard box who slotted home the winner for Bayelsa Queens.
Two minutes later, Mabel Effiom yet again almost got the equaliser for the League champions but she was stopped by Favour Nwaaha.
Coach Ronaldson Odeh got the midfield orchestra, Edeji Chidinma off the pitch for Edith Eduviere who quickly made her impact felt by finding Joy Bokiri in the middle with both players linking up but her shot went far wide.
With eight minutes to regulation time, the visitors still proved unstoppable creating chances and winning a free kick which was taken by Lucky Odiri but Charity John was alert to avoid another goal into the back of her net.
Despite the win against Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens coach, Rolandson Odeh said he still has a lot of work to do before the league kicks off on Saturday.
“It has been able to expose a lot of lapses and i was thinking i was ready for the league but based on what i have seen today i have less than 24 hours to correct the mistakes i have seen here so to me it is still work in progress, said Odeh.”
Odeh added, it’s a friendly game not all teams would have come with their talented players and coupled with the fact that Rivers Angels are the household name of women football in Nigeria but it was a good game.
On his part, assistant coach of Rivers Angels, Whyte Ogbonda attributed the loss to the absence of his key players who are on national duty with the Super Falcons.
“Despite losing to Bayelsa Queens in this match we all know it is a friendly match but it is preparatory match to our league match which kicks off this weekend. Most of our players are not in the Rivers Angels camp but in the Super Falcons camp. We just managed to use what we have to execute this match but all the same we think the players at home will be able to execute the league match pending when the rest of the team will return to Port Harcourt, Ogbonda explained.”
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has urged the Super Falcons to raise their game if they want to reclaim the Africa Women championship (AWC) title in Namibia next month
NFF technical director Emmanuel Ikpeme made the charge after watching the Falcons play a goalless draw with A.I. Dikko international soccer academy at the practice pitch of the Abuja National Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Ikpeme praised the girls for holding their own against a male side but urged them to up their game, adding that he was happy with the progress they have made since camp opened.
“As you prepare for the AWC in Namibia, you must realise that you are going there to bring the cup back. What the Falconets started at the FIFA Under-20, you must complete by winning the cup.We believe you can do it if you raise your standard
“We want you to go to the world cup as African champions and we shall give you all the necessary support to excel in Namibia, so continue to work hard to achieve your target” Ikpeme said.
In the game, Falcons failed to convert some begging chances while goalkeeper Charity John made a couple of saves to deny Dikko Academy from scoring clear chances.
Falcons Assistant coach christopher Danjuma said the essence of the game was not to win but to strenthen the girls and help them in increasing their pace adding that they can only get better.
He assured that the girls would be up to speed in their preparations stressing that the resolve is to go Namibia and win the cup.
Super Falcons Vs A I Dikko international soccer academy
Charity John (Precious Dede 46′) ,Sarah Nnodim (Ugo Njoku 46′) ,Osinachi Ohale,Josephjne Chukunonye,Gloria Ofoegbu (Ngozi Ebere 67′) ,Evelyn Nwabuoku (Onyinyechi Ohagugha 46′) ,Halimat Ayinde (Ngozi Okobi 70′) ,Gloria Iroka (Uchechi Sunday 67′), Ayila (Cecilia Nku 46′) ,Asisat Oshoala,Chiwendu Ihezuo (Stella Mbachu 46′)
Rivers Angels defeated their South-South counterpart, Bayelsa Queens 2-1 to progress to the semi finals of the Federation Cup.
Gabrielle Ndengue opened scoring for Bayelsa Queens in the 33rd minute in this game decided at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure. Her fantastic effort from more than 30yards sailing past Charity John in goal for the Angels.
A persistent Angels team, playing without the inspirational Asisat Oshoala who is on her way to Canada to feature for the Falconets at the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup eventually got an equalizer six minutes before the break.
Sherifat Saheed’s pass was dummied by Soma Oraegbuam, allowing Lola Philips to bury the ball home. Honours were even at the interval and it remained same till the 74th minute when after a sustained period of pressure, Mercy Amanze fired home what turned out to be the winner from outside the penalty box.
Rivers Angels head coach, Edwin Okon says they are on course to defend their title.
“I don’t consider any team as a small team. On no occasion have I said I will demolish Bayelsa Queens, said Okon”.
“We are the defending champions and our expectation is to win the FA Cup and retain it in subsequent editions, he said”.
Rivers Angels will face Delta Queens in the semi-final in Abuja.
The Super Falcons goal keeper trainer, Bala Mohammed has said that none of the goalkeepers in camp can lay claim to being the number one at the moment.
He told Super Falcons media Officer Gracious Akujobi that the competition for shirts is very keen to the extent that young goalkeeper like Whyte is giving the other experienced hands a run for the number one position.
“We travelled to Japan with Ebubeleye Whyte and Charity John for a double header friendly with their Japanese counterparts and they did very well and they have continued with their good performance.
Falcons goal keeper trainer,Bala Mohammed.
“The competition for the number one shirt is very stiff as none of them is giving any thing to chance. They should give it their best shot in training and we the coaches would pick the best for any game” he stressed
The coach explained that Precious Dede was picked for the last international friendly because of her experience adding that any of the other goalies could equally have done well in that game against Cameroon.
He said for the qualifier against Rwanda, any of the goalkeepers can be called upon to be between the sticks because they are capable.
Rivers Angels on Sunday fought back from a goal down to secure an impressive 2-1 win over their host Confluence Queens at the newly constructed Confluence Stadium in Lokoja .
It did not look quite easy at the start as the host drew the first blood in the 17th minute courtesy of a controversial penalty. The centre referee pointed to the spot after he adjudged an Angels” defender to have handled inside the box when Angels’ goal keeper, Charity John punched a cross clear.
In the 37th minute, a through pass from Loveth Ayila from outside the 18 yard box to Cecilia Nku got the away team the equalizer.
Rivers Angels doubled their advantage with 10 minutes left to play from a well-connected cross from veteran striker, Stella Mbachu spotting the Ghana born striker Elizabeth Addo to allow her tap the ball into the net.
This is the first away victory for Rivers Angels and it takes them to the top of the League table with 11 points from 5 games.
Assistant coach of Rivers Angels, White Abunda expressed happiness over the result.
”Rivers Angels have taken their rightful position on the league table and from now we would retain it till the end of the season and no turning back, said Abunda”.
“We scored five goals and the referee disallowed three goals. I am happy the girls fought hard to win the game despite the controversial penalty awarded against them, he concluded”.
Rivers Angels will slug it out with Osun Babes in their next game this weekend at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.
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