MERCILESS ANGELS THRASH SORRY C.O.D BABES

City of David Babes of Lagos.

Women Premier League table toppers, Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt advanced to the next round of the Federations Cup after a 6-1 demolition of City of David Babes of Lagos.

Defending champions of the Women Federations Cup, Rivers Angels started the first half on a bright note as they out-classed their opponent with two quick-fire goals in the opening 10 minutes.

Mercy Amanze opened scoring in the 7th minute, followed by Ebere Orji in the 10th minute.

In the 28th minute, Blessing Okpe scored for C.O.D Babes to keep their hopes alive but a third goal from the Angels midfielder, Cecilia Nku in 35th minute, spoilt their expectations.

The Angels were relentless in their effort as Ebere Orji added a second goal to her account 5 minutes into the second half and got a hat trick in the 75th minute from the penalty spot as Elizabeth Addo was brought down in the penalty area.

Cynthia Aku who came from the bench in the 76th minute, converted Elizabeth Addo’s cross, 7 minutes to regulation time.

This result booked Rivers Angels into the next round of the FA Cup as they build their quest to defend their title.

Assistant coach of Rivers Angels, White Ogbonda, was happy with the victory

“We had a plan of replicating the Brazil 2014 semi final game between Brazil and Germany but did not work as planned, said Ogbonda”.

“I believe this victory will put fear in our next opponent because we want to retain the cup, he said”.

Despite the loss, C.O.D Babes coach, Anne Chiejine, a former Rivers Angels and Falcons goal keeper, was happy with her team’s performance.

“Am not disappointed but happy with my team because it is an experience for them. This is the first time they are in this competition against an experienced side but this will help us to work more, she said”.

Ebere Orji who got hat trick in the game was short of words.

“It was God’s grace and the help of my team mates, said Orji”.

Angels in narrow win over Amazons, stay top of Women League

An early goal by Super Falcons’ captain Evelyn Nwabuoku earned Rivers Angels a lone goal victory over visiting Nasarawa Amazons as the Angels continued their unbeaten run in the league.

Rivers Angels scored 6min into the match with a superb free kick from the left corner of the box by the Super Falcons’ captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku and sailed high into the net at the Liberation stadium.

Nasarawa Amazons who were the 2013 champion of champions ahead of Rivers Angels, could not find the net as they got unlucky hitting the cross bar twice in the game.

The majority of the 2nd half was played in the midfield with either side not able to gain control of possession.

Coach of Rivers Angels, White Ogbonda, was happy with the result.

“I feel happy keeping Rivers Angels on top of the league for the past 6 weeks. Our aim was to get to the top and remain on top till the end of the season, said Ogbonda”.

“Our intention was to try and score and avoid conceding. Since we could only get a goal, the best was to defend the lone goal and am happy we defended it till the end of the match, he said”.

Nasarawa Amazons coach, Pastor Christopher Danjuma, was able to prove a point.

“Being last year’s champion of champions and winner of the league, we came to prove that we were not a fluke and we deserve to be champions, said Danjuma”.

“I think we proved ourselves to a level but I was expecting nothing less than a draw, he concluded”.

Super Falcons captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku spoke after the game.

“It is a privilege to be the captain of the Falcons. It does not mean I am the best. To be the captain, you have to know how to bring the players together, she said”.

“Concerning the game, I expected my team to do better but sometimes in football, you have bad days, said Nwabuoku “.

Rivers Angels have 24 points from 10 games and are 5 points clear with a game in hand against Pelican Stars.

Meanwhile, the Women League is going on a 2 weeks break due to the African Women Championship qualifiers as some of the players are also in the national team.

Determined Angels battle past Bayelsa to remain on top.

Rivers Angels fought hard to get a 1-0 home win to remain on top of the Nigeria Women Premier League(NWPL) table against Bayelsa Queens on a wet pitch at the Liberation stadium ,Port Harcourt.

The home team found it difficult to create clear cut chances more or less converting the few chances created in the game.

Asisat Oshoala was the worst culprit as she failed to make use of any of the few chances created and in other cases,she was perpetually caught offside.

The deadlock was broken in the 80th minute when the Ghana born striker Elizabeth Addo who came on as a substitute towards the half time break ,scored a superb goal from 25 yards to give Rivers Angels the much desired win.

The goal scored by Elizabeth Addo was her third of the season.

Rivers Angels remain unbeaten and stay firm on top of the table with 18 points from 8 games.

After the game,assistant coach of Rivers Angels White Ogbonda explained the reasons behind his substitutions.

“The difficulty came as a result of the players that came from the national camp. They were affected by fatigue due to the training they were made to undergo,said Ogbonda”.

“The midfielders were unable to give good passes to the attackers. When I realised ,I made the double changes and at the end of the day,we were able to get an opportunity to score a goal,he concluded”.

Former technical adviser of Bayelsa United ,Chief Ekete was happy with the result.

“In a game, a team can play well and loose,a team can play well and win,a team can play badly and loose and a team can play badly and win. We played well but lost the game,he said”.

“We came with the intention to pick three points but unfortunately we lost but as far as am concerned we will win the FA cup and the league trophy,Ekete said”.

Rivers Angels will next play against another south south rival ,Pelican Stars at the Unical Sports Complex ,Calabar.

Unbeaten Angels remain on top of NWPL Log

Rivers Angels on sunday picked an important point against their south-south rivals ,Ibom Angels at the Uyo township stadium , Uyo.

Asisat Oshoala gave Rivers Angels the lead in first half stoppage time as she netted her third goal of the season from a spilled ball by the goal keeper of Ibom Angels,Chichi Sandra.

Ibom Angels came back with full force after the interval and were the better side until they got their reward in the 64th minute when Bessy Obot got the equaliser from the penalty spot courtesy of a hand ball in the 18 yard box from a Rivers Angels defender.

A lot of credit should be given to both goal keepers as they were able to rescue their teams when called upon.

Despite the draw, Rivers Angels remain on top as Pelican Stars who were a point behind Rivers Angels were beaten in Kogi.

After the game, Technical adviser of Ibom Angels Austin Udoinyang believed the officiating was not fair.

“The two teams have good qualities but Ibom Angels are a high side team and always able to rise to the occasion, he said”.

“But the officiating was not fair,Udoinyang concluded”.

Rivers Angels’ stand-in coach, White Ogbonda expressed how happy he was with the result.

“It was an excellent performance from my team.They tried their best to pick a point away from home,he said”.

“Ibom Angels pressured my team in the second half because they had the home advantage playing infront of their fans although my attackers failed to convert the chances they got,Ogbonda added”.

Rivers Angels will welcome another south -south rival Bayelsa Queens in their next game at the Liberation stadium.