Edo Queens FC players returned smiles to the face of their supporters as Esther Oyenezide’s first-half goal earned them their first win of the Nigeria Women Football League Premiership super six – over Naija Ratels FC – at the University of Benin Sports Complex on Friday afternoon.
The struggling ‘Obaseki Girls’ were up for pride against their Abuja counterparts and they didn’t leave it late as they picked up from the blast of the whistle with attacking threats against their opponents.
Just before the 20th minute, Edo Queens registered their dominance over their opponents as Esther Oyenezide crafty curled in a beautiful free-kick far from the goalkeeper’s reach.
Yemisi Samuel was on occasions denied by the defence lines of Edeh’s girls. Nkiruka Obidinma was also called to action and she didn’t disappoint to keep Ezekiel Motunrayo’s free-kick and Ratels away from levelling up. The first half ended with Edo Queens in the lead.
Yemisi Samuel once again in the 53 minutes had a glorious chance to get on the scorers’ sheet – she found a good pass from the captain, Onyebuchi Goodness, and dribbled past Chioma Alua in the 18-yard box, but wide, her shot went disappointingly.
Folorunsho Aminat for Ratels and Odiagbe Deborah for Edo Queens both had their chances to score for their teams but the goalkeepers were equal to the tasks.
Chioma Olise almost made it two for Edo Queens, but her effort hit the woodwork and immediately, Esther Oyenezide from the rebound forced a great save Ohia Doris.
Edo Queens ended the game on the winning note, a sigh of relief over the faces of the teeming supporters and faithfuls.
Post Match reactions
Edo Queens Interim coach, Grace Kurah – ” I’m very happy with my players as they get better by the days. Scoring has been the difficulty and getting one against Ratels is a good one. The next match against Rivers Angels will be a tough one for us, but we can almost do well in that one.”
Head coach, Naija Ratels, Anyawu Ugochi – “This is football and for us to come in for the first time, we ate gathering experience and we are progressing. We have two more matches to play and we have time to redeem our image.”