By
Queen John
An
inspired Mabel Effiom’s performance handed Rivers Angels a 4-0 win against new
comers, Capital City Doves of Abuja in a Nigeria Women Premier League Week 1
rescheduled game at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.
Rivers
Angels dominated the midfield and attacked early in the game with the inspired
Effiom troubling the visitors with her darting runs and crosses from the left
flank.
The
former Ibom Angels full back, was playing in place of Ngozi Ebere who is on
duty with the national team and made sure Ebere's absence was not felt in the
game.
The
Port Harcourt based side opened scores on 19 minutes when newly-signed striker
from Finland, Ijeoma Obi rammed home a fantastic bicycle kick which left
Oluwaseun Sanusi, in goal for Doves with no chance at all.
Two
minutes later, the double champions increased the tally and this time around it
was last season NWPL highest goal scorer, Amarachi Ojinma opening her account
for the season.
The
former Pelican stars forward got a just reward for her efforts after her shot
was previously blocked by Sanusi taking advantage of a defensive error by the
Abuja side to poke home.
Two
soon became three in the 32nd minute as the hosts compounded their visitors'
woes. A perfectly weighed cross from Mercy Amanze found centre back Ihuoma
Onyebuchi who teed up Ijeoma Obi to bury it past Sanusi.
Capital
City Doves, lacking a cutting edge, outmuscled in the midfield and could not
find their way through the Rivers Angels defense on countless occasions.
With
ten minutes into the second half, the referee disallowed a goal scored by Grace
Henry who pounced on a spilled ball from Sanusi. She was adjudged to be in an
offside position.
The
home side however continued the game without any protest but so much attention
was on the coach of Capital City Doves, Ngozi Ezeh who on three different
intervals called on her players to the sidelines after they conceded a goal
from Rivers Angels side.
In
the 75th minute however, Rivers Angels got icing on their well baked cake with
a free kick from 25 yards from Ulunma Jerome who connected the newly introduced
Ijeoma Emenike. Emenike did brilliantly to find a relentless Mercy Amanze who
headed into the net.
It
wrapped up an efficient yet comfortable display for the Champions who were yet
to kick a ball this term after they walked over Pelicans Stars in Calabar last
weekend.
Angels coach
delighted
Assistant
coach of Rivers Angels, Whyte Ogbonda expressed his delight after the match but
admitted they were missing their key players who are on national duty.
“We
are missing the players in the national camp and if they were here we would
have scored up to 10 goals.
“The
standard of the game would have been higher than this but I’m happy because we wanted
3 points and at the end of the day they were able to get it.
“I’m
happy they played to instruction and there is room for improvement,” said
Ogbonda.
Coach
of Capital City Doves, Ngozi Ezeh admitted she was not disappointed with the
result.
“The
girls tried their best. We just got into the league and we were not supposed to
be in the league but I still believe these girls will still do wonders. I am
not disappointed for what my girls played because its not easy to face the
champions,” Ezeh said.
“I
have to inject new players and encourage the little ones that can meet up the
league when next they come for the return leg in Abuja you will hear a
different result,” Ezeh concluded.
OSUN BABES SET TO
DIM BAYELSA QUEENS
Meanwhile,
high riding Bayelsa Queens of Yenegoa will this weekend meet their match in Ede
when they face a victory thirsty Osun Babes of Osogbo.
The
two teams who are yet to lose a match in the three weeks old league, would give
the spectators much to cheer about.
The
Osun Poly Ede pitch which was in a bad shape when the home team played their
first match of the season, would surely wear a new look if the promises of the
management of the Osun babes is anything to go by.
Coach
of Bayelsa Queens, Rollanson Odeh, would have to deploy all his wealth of
experience in this match if he hopes to leave the stadium with his head held high.
Elsewhere
in Oleh, Delta Queens would compound the problems of FC Robo in the League.
The
Dan Evuemena girls would want to take the revenge of their last week loss to
Ibom Angels on the Robo girls. Confluence Queens will travel to Yola to tackle
the Adamawa Queens, while Ibom Angels would welcome Martins White Doves in Uyo.
In
Group B, It would be a game of two new comers at the Agege Township Stadium
where City of David (COD) United Ladies will welcome Capital City Doves of
Abuja.
Both
teams have promised to give soccer crazy Lagosians much to cheer. Rivers Angels
would host Nasarawa Amazons in Port Harcourt, while Edo Queens would play
Taraba Queens.
The
Star match of the group would be in Akure where Sunshine Queens and their guest
Pelican Stars would do battle
FIXTURES
GROUP A
Delta
Queens Vs FC Robo
Adamawa
Queens Vs Confluence Queens
Osun
Babes VS Bayelsa Queens
Ibom
Angels Vs Martins White Doves
GROUP B
COD
Ladies United Vs Capital City Doves
Sunshine
Queens Vs Pelican Stars
Rivers
Angels Vs Nasarawa Amazons
Edo
Queens Vs Taraba Queens
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