By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
It was a case of ‘saving the best for last’ as Rivers Angels on Sunday at Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, thrashed Sunshine Queens of Akure 4-0 to win the 2021Nigeria National Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership Super Six play-off.
Also, by this victory Rivers Angels retained the NWFL Premiership title the team won in 2019 and picked the ticket to represent Nigeria in 1st CAF Champions League West African Zone B competition billed for next month.
Rivers Angels which drew their first two matches last Monday and Tuesday scored two first-half goals from Oghenebrume Ikehua and Vivian Ikechukwu put the Port Harcourt-based side in the driver’s seat at Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode.
Two more goals in the second half by Alice Ogebe and Maryann Ezeanagu ensured that Rivers Angels garnered 11points to retain the league title which they won in 2019 in Lagos after the 2020 league was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rivers Angels had started the NWFL Premiership Super Six play-off with two draws before bouncing back to win three games on the row to overhaul the earlier frontrunners, FC Robo of Lagos and Delta Queens of Asaba respectively.
Delta Queens however finished in the second position after Chiamaka Okwuchukwu’s 87th-minute goal canceled Lawal Taiwo’s goal to force FC Robo Queens to a 1-1 draw in the earlier match of the day.
Lagos-based FC Robo Queens finished third with Sunshine Queens, Bayelsa Queens, and Edo Queens ending the Super Six with fourth, fifth, and sixth position respectively.
Meanwhile, the final game of the NWFL Premiership Super Six was attended by many dignitaries including Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare; Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President; Amaju Melvin Pinnick amongst others.
Speaking after the match, Rivers Angels Technical Adviser, Edwin Okon, believes the victory of his teamat the play-off did not come easy, pointing out that “he had trust in the players that they will deliver at the end of the day “.
Okon told Prompt News in a telephone chat from Ijebu-Ode that Rivers Angels worked very hard to achieve the success they desired, saying” the team is grateful to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Commissioner of Sports, State FA and the entire Rivers people for supporting the club”.
