.Bayelsa Queens, Confluence Queens battle to draw
.Naija Ratels suffer narrow loss
Hosts Edo Queens, Rivers Angels FC, FC Robo and Heartland Queens have commenced their Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament campaigns with victories as the tourney got off to a flying start yesterday at the UNIBEN Sports Centre, and Western Boys High School in Benin City metropolis.
Rivers Angels dazed Fortress Ladies 4-0 through the goals of Ifeoma Polinus whoich she scored from close range in the 20th minute to put the Jewel If Rivers in front and in the 26th minute.
Evelyn Nwabuoku converted from the spot after a Penalty was awarded to the team following a foul on Maryann Ezenagu for the second goal.
In the 54th minute, Berita Kabwe made an instant impact barely 60 seconds after coming off the bench to increase the tally from a goal mouth scramble while another substitute, Cecilia Nku rounded off the scoring with a strike in stoppage time to make it 4-0.
In another Group B game played yesterday FC Robo thrashed fellow NWFL Premiership side, Royal Queens 5-0. Shukura Oladipo opened the floodgate of goals in the 38th and Opeyemi Ajakaiye doubled the advantage two minutes later. Super Falcons’ rave of the moment, Gift Monday weighed in two goals in the 60th and 69th minutes and Sade Ijamilusi added gloss to the result with fifth goal in the 89th minute.
Bayelsa Queens and Confluence Queens began Group C affair with a goalless draw while Kaduna Queens tie with Sunshine Queens has been postponed to Wednesday due to technical hitches.
In a Group A tie, Heartland Queens started off brilliantly with a win after they pipped Rolly Angels 1-0. Chioma John with the lone goal that separated both sides.
Edo Queens held on despite attempted late fightback from Naija Ratels to record their first victory of the Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Yourney.
It was Edo Queens that opened the game’s curtain raiser through Glory Osagie in the 37th minute and Habibat Agbaji doubled the advantage in the second half to make it look like a roller coaster for the home team but Naija Ratels pulled a goal back through Favour Peter late in the game.
Naija Ratels put up a spirited fight to conjure up an equaliser but they were unable to as they had to settle for a 2-1 defeat in a match that turned out to be the opening game of the tourney.
The Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament enters day two today with interesting fixtures lined up.
In Group A, Edo Queens will square up with Rolly Angels by 4pm at the UNIBEN Sports Centre aiming for their second win while Naija Ratels and Heartland Queens will rekindle the rivalry they shared during the NWFL Championship with another tie billed for the Western Boys High School by 4pm also. Naija Ratels will be looking for their first points of the tournament while Heartland Queens will be eager to revenge their loss to the same team during the NWFL Championship in Abuja some months ago.
In Group B, Rivers Angels will hope to consolidate their solid start when they face Royal Queens at the UNIBEN Sports Centre by 1pm today while Fotress Ladies will slug it out with FC Robo hoping to stop the rampaging Emmanuel Osahon Ladies who plundered five goals past Royal Queens yesterday.
Bayelsa Queens will be gunning for their first win of the tourney when they file out against Kaduna Queens by 10am while Confluence Queens will aspire for the same outcome when they lock horns with Sunshine Queens also by 10am. Both games hold at UNIBEN Sports Centre and Western Boys High School respectively.
