Rivers Angels retained their spot on top of the Nigeria Women Premier League Table with a 3-2 win against Ibom Angels on Saturday at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.
It was a hard fight between the two South-South clubs as both teams tried to prove supremacy in the first half of the game with most of the battle taking place in the midfield with no clear cut chances created.
Stella Mbachu, the veteran striker, gave Rivers Angels the lead 10 minutes to the first half interval with an assist from Mercy Amanze.
Ibom Angels were the better team in the second half dominating the game and capitalizing on a sloppy Rivers Angels’ defense with two goals from Ijeoma Emenike and Grace Henry in the 60th and 81st minute respectively.
But In the 73rd minute, Stella Mbachu leveled a well connected cross to Lola Phillips who parried the ball pass the fantastic Falcons goal keeper, Precious Dede.
The Port Harcourt side wrapped up the game with a win courtesy of a direct shot taken by Ngozi Ebere 7 minutes to regulation time which countered Grace Henry’s goal depriving the away team a point on the road.
Team manager of Rivers Angels, Matilda Otuene was excited with the victory.
“I am very happy with the result. It was not an easy match for the girls but this shows the spirit of champions that they can curtail pressure from every team they meet, said Otuene”.
“The two goals they conceded was due to lack of concentration but all the same it was a good game, she said”.
Ime Otoene, Ibom Angels coach, blamed his team’s loss on unfair officiating.
“The home team usually wins because they always get support from the match officials. We have not had fair officiating in our away games since the beginning of the second stanza of the season but today’s game was better compared to our previous matches, said Otoene”.
The win ensured Rivers Angels remain on top of the Nigeria Women Premier League table.
There was a shocking result in Calabar in the game between Pelican Stars and Confluence Queens.
Pelican Stars suffered their first home defeat of the season which ended 1-0 in favour of Confluence Queens. While Delta Queens were beaten by Sunshine Queens by 1-0.
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