The 2023 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship reached Matchday three at Ikenne and Sagamu centres on Tuesday.
At FC Ebedei Stadium, Sagamu, Lakeside Queens edged Sunshine Queens 2-1 to make it three wins out of three games.
The Ikenne based side had to come from behind after Precious Edewor’s opener for the Akure based side.Bright Etim equalised before Rukvwe Agbeh’s winning goal in the additional minutes of the second half.
At the same centre, Imo Striker Queens recorded its first win of the campaign with a 2-1 victory against Delta Babes. Harmony Achifula and Ikeobi Scholastic scored for Imo Strike while Unoma Okpor pulled a goal back for the Asaba based side.
Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens picked its second win of the campaign after a 3-0 win over Honey Badgers.Ola Olaronke bagged a brace as 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup bronze medalist, Mosaku Bisola converted the third goal.
At Sagamu centre, Kwara Ladies pipped Moje Queens 3-2 to win the Kwara derby.Adegoke Titilope scored two goals for Kwara with Abdulwahab Fareedah increasing the lead before goals from Ayobankole Mary and Godwin Peace ensured Moje Queens second half rally.
Okon Faith’s 79th minute goal ensured a 1-0 triumph for Pelican Stars which ended Dannaz Ladies’ perfect run and resurrected the Calabar based side’s hope of returning to the NWFL Premiership.
Ekiti Queens like Lakeside also maintained its perfect run in the league as goals from Chima Chisom and Sarafa Tobiloba lifted the debutant to a 2-1 win and Group A summit despite Owoseni Bukola’s goal for the Pride of Lagos.
WHAT THEY SAID:
Chief Coach Moje Queens, Abdullahi Ganiyu: “Kudos to my girls. They really tried their best from three goals down, they scored two goals. We are going to fight another day. We have two more games. We are going to try our best to remain in the Championship. We don’t want to relegate and are not going to relegate by God’s grace.
My defense have been trying their best but their best is not okay for now. We are going to go back to the drawing board and do the needful. We are going to make corrections for some little mistakes. They are just coming up as kids. You need to correct them continuously.”
Chief Coach Kwara Ladies, Paul Mohammed: “I am very happy for the win despite the fact that we are just coming back to our tactical plan. We had tactical plan which were not working in the first two games. The plan this time around worked in the first half, but in the second half, we were a little bit nervous. The players were not tired because if they were tired, they wouldn’t have maintained the victory. It was just a little distraction which we are going to correct and get it right in the next game.”
Pelican Stars coach, Ifeonwan Ekpo: “We are very happy the group is open. Anything can happen. We are still pushing forward. We will take one game at a time. We will go and plan for the next game by the grace of God, we will come out top.”
Head coach, Dannaz Ladies Dr Asak Johnson Diana:”I feel disappointed with the result. If we had won, it would have taken up to the next chapter. Now, we are where we still are. The girls actually gave a good account of themselves again.”