.Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Sunshine Queens battle for semi-final tickets
Curtain falls on the group matches of the ongoing Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament today with interesting games on offer as 12 teams battle for the four slots to the semi-finals dasportstainment247.com reports.
No team is sure of qualification for the semi-final yet with the top teams in each group guaranteed a place in the last four while the overall best second placed team will pick the fourth spot.
In Group A, Edo Queens who are in pole position to pick the sole ticket in the group will face Heartland Queens knowing that they must maintain their unbeaten start to the tournament to scale through. The host need just a draw but the Owerri side could pip them to the ticket if they secure the three points. Naija Ratels and Rolly Angels are out of the tournament irrespective of the outcome of their dead-rubber game today, also. Both games take place by 1 pm.
With two wins apiece, FC Robo Queens and Rivers Angels are only separated by goals difference ahead of their final Group B fixture at the UNIBEN Sports Centre by 10 am also today. The Emmanuel Osahon Ladies are ahead with plus 10 goals difference having scored five each in both games. Super Falcons’ forward, Monday Gift accounting for seven of the 10 goals to stay atop the top scorer award. She’s equally the favourite for the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament. Both teams are expected to qualify for the semi-final if they play a draw but Bayelsa Queens will finish as Group leaders.
The fixture is expected to be a battle of wit between two Super Falcons striker: Vivian Ikechukwu who plays for Rivers Angels and Monday Gift of FC Robo Queens. Both attackers scored two goals apiece and were teammates during the just concluded Aisha Buhari Cup but they will trade tackles with each other as foes especially for 90 minutes, today.
The second Group B tie between Fortress Ladies and Royal Queens is inconsequential as both teams have been eliminated. Both Group B rivals are without a point and have conceded nine and eight goals respectively. Both Group B games come up by 10 am.
Another action spot is in Group C where Bayelsa Queens and Sunshine Queens will battle for the top spot in the group. Sunshine Queens presently occupy the first spot with six points after they beat Kaduna Queens 2-0 yesterday in a delayed game at the behest of the defeated team.
A draw will be sufficient for Sunshine Queens to pip the reigning Aiteo Cup champions to the top spot and the semi-final ticket but the Restoration Ladies with a massive plus six goals difference will displace their fellow NWFL Premiership side from the first spot with a win.
Confluence Queens and Kaduna Queens will play another dead-rubber game as the highest they could finish is either with four or three points respectively in case either of the teams wins. Both fixtures will be decided by 4 pm.
Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament is an initiative of the First Lady of Edo state, Betsy Obaseki, and 12 teams have been battling for honours and prestige since it began on Monday in Benin City across two centres of UNIBEN Sports Centre and Western Boys High School in the Edo state capital’s metropolis.
