IT was all fireworks at the U.J. Esuene stadium in Calabar as six-time champions of the Nigerian Women Premier League (NWPL), Pelican Stars of Calabar were evenly matched with Sa’adatu Amazons of Minna on Wednesday.
However, Pelican Stars’ Ugah Helen secured victory for the host as she placed her half volley shot with the back of her right foot to give her side a 1-0 win over the newly promoted Sa’adatu Amazons.
The coach Adat Egan-led Pelican Stars enjoyed the early opening minutes of the first half as Pato Faith’s quick foot work beat the Sa’adatu Amazons’ duo of Esther Fubara and Folashade Adeleke but her shot was collected like a pack of biscuits by Sa’adatu Amazons, goal keeper Chioma Okoye.
It was Pelicans Stars all the way for the early part of the first half as the visitors were struggling to contain the offensive attacking play of trio, Pato Moses, Unegbu Emmauella and Chika Edeh.
In the 24th minute, Pelican Stars Chika Edeh had a chance at goal with a powerful header from a connecting Chisom Henry cross from the left wing but the ever alert Sa’adatu Amazons goalie, Chioma parried the ball for a corner kick.
Four minutes later, Pelicans Stars Chika Edeh’s lob ball to Pato Moses was cut off at the nick of time by Sa’adatu defender Stella Anthony to still keep the scores unchanged. The first real chance of Sa’adatu Amazons came in the 29th minute when Doris Akachukwu pounced on a defensive mix up in the penalty area of Pelican Stars but the goal bound ball was inches off the goal post.
In the 35th minute, Sa’adatu Amazons Janeth Obiobo pile driver shot from 22 yards out was punched away by Pelican Stars goalkeeper, Chioma Okoye for a corner kick.
Pelican Stars were on the offensive again as Obianuju Ezechukwu who was the commander in chief of the midfield of play was fouled by Sa’adatu Amazons defender, Folashade Adeleke for the first yellow card issued by the centre referee to the visitors in the 31st minute.
The visitors were resurgent in the second half of play with an entailing team move which involved Chinonso Ezechukwu, Stella Anthony and Chiwendu Ufomba. Chinonso’s well struck shot from the edge of the box was denied by the timely stop by Pelican Stars goalie, Adenaike Odunayo.
Chinenye Okafor almost scored for Sa’adatu Amazons in the 55th minute as she met a Stella Anthony corner with a fierce header which was denied yet against by the cross bar. In quick succession, Pelican Stars were on a counter attacking move but the finishing shot by Alex Pato was smothered by Sa’adatu Amazons goalie, Chioma Okoye.
Both teams made their first substitution with Sa’adatu Amazons Mbosowo Emmauella brought in for Obianuju Nnaji and Pelican Stars’ Long Tina replaced with Blessing Okon in the 59th and 61st minute respectively.
Sa’adatu Amazons’ Chinonso Ezechukwu was like a house on fire as she was a constant threat to the Pelican Stars defence as they struggled to contain her. A clumsy tackle by Pelican Stars Chinenye Okafor on Sa’adatu Amazons Chinonso earned her a yellow card in the 68th minute.
The deadlock was broken in the 81st minute when Pelican Stars’ Ugeh Helen half volleyed the ball with her inside right foot from 18 yards out with Sa’adatu Amazon goalie, Okoye was rooted at a spot ball watching as the shot was in the back of the net.
Speaking during post-match conference, Pelicans Stars technical adviser, Coach Adat Egan thanked God for his team’s win over Sa’adatu Amazons and admitted that his visitors was a decent side.
He expressed that his team made some errors on the field of play and was confident that it will be corrected before their next game.
Coach Egan further affirmed that the Aisha Falode-led board of the Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL) will do very well if all stakeholders in the Women League will give her full support.
Pelican stars, Alex Faith was full of praises for the Sa’adatu Amazons players but admitted that luck was on her team coming out victorious.
She said that her team will go places because of the acquisition of experienced players like Victoria Aidelomon and Blessing Edoho will make her team perform better.
Sa’adatu Amazons’ technical adviser, Ibrahim Ladan said the match was fantastic, his team did well but that the God of soccer was not on their side because of a miscalculated error from an aerial ball by his goal keeper cost his team.
“I have no regrets with my team’s loss because the home team can bear us witness that we gave them a tough fight,” Coach Ladan affirmed.
“Our next game, we will be playing Adamawa Queens at our own ground so I am promising my team will bring down Adamawa Queens no matter,” Coach Ladan further said to Tribunesport correspondent.
The man of the match of this game, Sa’adatu Amazons goalie, Chioma Okoye was not happy with her conceded goal because her target was to keep a clean sheet but admitted that is football for you.
“My team deserved to win because they worked so hard, especially in the second half; We will keep fighting till the very end because this is our first game and there are many more to play for this season,” said Chioma.
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