Nwfl: Rivers Angels beat Bayelsa queens, lead the pack

ALICE Ogebe scored in each half to help Nigeria Women Football League(NWFL) champions, Rivers Angels secure a hard fought 2-1 win over their eternal rivals, Bayelsa Queens, in a Match Day 7 derby played

inside the Yakubu Gowon stadium on Wednesday.Ogebe had opened scoring in the 40th minute to hand the ‘Jewel of Rivers’ a 1-0 lead before half time.

Bayelsa Queens responded in the second half following a mistake from goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi who was delivering a quick service but had her shot hit Angels’ central back, Gladys Akpa and it fell in front of Yetunde Adeboyejo, who made no mistake to level terms in the 52^nd minute.

The downpour couldn’t stop the visitors from pressurizing the Edwin Okon-led side as they tried to get more goals but the defence line of the hosts prevented them from achieving their aim.

The former Super Falcons gaffer, Okon made some strategic changes in the 57th and 58th minutes as Cynthia Aku replaced Rafiat Sule while Glory Iroka came on for Cecilia Nku.

And in the 67th minute, Alice Ogebe headed home from a brilliant delivery by Ugo Njoku to secure the much-needed victory for the Port Harcourt side as they head for the NWFL break after six matches.

After the game, Technical Adviser of Rivers Angels, Edwin Okon, said he was happy his side finished as top of the group in the first stanza.

“I thank God for the end of the first round which saw Rivers Angels at the top of the group. Bayelsa Queens are no pushovers and they tried their best.

If not for the mistake from my goalkeeper, we would have won 2-0 today,” Okon said.

Bayelsa Queens head coach, Tarila Okorowanta, revealed that his team didn’t play to instruction and that cost them the game.

“It was a good game, though we lost and I expected it to be like this because my team did not play to instruction,” said the former Super Eagles player.

“It was a disappointed game for me and good fight from Rivers Angels, we will meet again,” he added.

With the win, Rivers Angels wrapped up the first round as group A leaders with 11 points and will be away to Bayelsa Queens when they resume on June 7 in Nembe.