By Harry Awurumibe Editor, ABUJA BUREAU
Two first half goals by fleet- footed Emem Essien in the 15th and 21st minutes gave Ibom Angels victory over Edo Queens in the first semi final match of the AITEO Cup Women’s football competition.
The highly-entertaining match which took place at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Wednesday saw Essien dazzling the defence of Edo Queens several times and forcing hapless goalkeeper, Oluwatobiloba Ajayi to conceed early goals which worked against her team’s progress in the 2018 AITEO Cup competition.
Ajayi’s costly mistakes in goal forced Edo Queens coach, Gabriel Ade Adejor to replace her as early as 26st minute of the game to avoid a massacre. She was replaced by Falconets goalkeeper Onyinye Okeke who did not let in any other goal.
The second half all out attack by Edo Queens did not however yield any result as Ibom Angels defence anchored by ex- Falconets and Super Falcons invitee, Glory Ogbonna thwarted every move to come back to the game till the final whistle of Referee Foluso Ajayi.
Ibom Angels will now wait for the winner of the second semi final match involving Defending Champions Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt and Bayelsa Queens billed for Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Friday.
The 2018 AITEO Cup Women’s final will be played in Yenagoa next week, October 23.
