The 2023 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship enters matchday two at Ikenne and Sagamu centre in Ogun state as the quartet of Ekiti Queens, Sunshine Queens, Lakeside Queens, and Dannaz Ladies made it two wins out of two games.
Ekiti Queens edged Pelican Stars 1-0 thanks to Adelabu Pascaline’s 32nd minute goal which ensured the first loss for Efionwan Ekpo’s side on Sunday.
Sunshine Queens also won its second game of the campaign after it pipped Honey Badgers 2-1. Kehinde Aganmuyi opened the scoring for the Akure based side in the 64th minute.
Onuoha Aamarachkwu doubled the lead for Sunshine in the 89th minute before Ikpa Janet pulled a goal back for the Benue state outfit from the penalty spot at the death.
On the same day, Ogunfuwa Omotoke’s 76th minute goal gave Dannaz Ladies a 1-0 win over Moje Queens to pick up its second win in the first two matches of the campaign.
Elsewhere, Lakeside Queens set up an exciting match up against Sunshine on Tuesday after a 3-1 victory against Delta Babes.
Dorathy Essien’s brace and Bose Ebisuwa’s goal lifted the Ikenne based side to a comfortable win despite Itobore Destiny’s equalizer.
Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens recovered from opening game 1-0 loss to Sunshine with a 4-3 win over Imo Striker Queens.
Osundina Oluwafemi scored two goals while Mosaku Bisola and Akinola Ebunoluwa converted two goals each to help the Lagos based side to a slim win.
Oscar Precious scored two goals for Imo Striker while Harmony Achifula converted a goal for the Imo State based side.
DreamStar FC Ladies also picked its first win after a 3-0 triumph over Kwara Ladies. Bukola Owoseni bagged a brace as Isiaka Olamide scored a goal to lift the Pride of Lagos to victory.
Monday, July 10 will be observed as a rest day before the season campaign resumes with matchdays on Tuesday and Wednesday.
WHAT THEY SAID:
Sunshine Queens Coach Abimbola Oladimeji: “It was a very excellent game and performance for my team and thank God for the win in our first two games despite the fact that it was a very huge task but we were able to succumb to the pressure. We will go to each game the way it comes. Our major target is to pick promotion ticket and we are on it. By God’s grace we will pick the ticket because the people of Ondo state are waiting eagerly to see us play in the Premiership. The Governor, Deputy, and Commissioner of Youth and Sports in the state who was here during our first game and today as well to cheer the team up. It is something we are looking forward to. The commissioner is here to motivate the girls and we shall return to the Premiership.”
Honey Badgers coach, Felicia Anthony: “The girls gave a good fight and I am proud of them. Forget about the defeat and missed chances but they played according to instructions given to them and I am so proud of them. It is just for us to go back to the drawing board and work then you would see what we will do in the next match. We played a draw and lost a game but we are looking forward to our next match. By the grace of God, we would try and see what we can get from our remaining three matches.”
Lakeside Queens coach Ganiyu Oluwatobi: “The win was what we deserved and we have prepared very well. We thank God that we have six points now and looking forward to our next game against Sunshine Queens as we are both on the same point. The match would decide the team that would probably gain promotion. We have seen our lapses. It’s not about the result so we are going back again to come back with victory against Sunshine Queens. Few weeks ago, we played a pre-season game in Ikenne and it finished in a 1-1 draw. It is going to be a tough game and are prepared to win the game.”
Delta Babes coach, Danlami Dickson: “I am not okay with today’s performance from the team but football is unpredictable. We will try again but a team must win. By the grace of God we expect a win in our next game.”