Lagos based FC Robo Queens rekindled their hope of picking one of the three Super 6 tickets from Group B after they trounced Sunshine Queens 3-0 in a rescheduled NWFL Premiership Week 12 tie.
The game ought to have held on Wednesday with the other five games scheduled but due to the death of Sunshine Queens goalkeeper, Elizabeth Johnson last weekend the league’s body agreed for the game to be shifted until Friday for the Owena Mermaids to properly mourn their departed goalie.
The tie was held at the Otunba Dipo Dina, Ijebu Ode- the adopted home ground of FC Robo Queens and it was a game the Lagos Landladies could not afford to toy with if they are to inch closer to the Super 6 ticket.
Sunshine Queens who have been erratic since the start of the season with seven losses from nine games played prior to the fixture held their own and refused to allow FC Robo Queens to have their way in the first half as It ended goalless.
FC Robo technical crew led by Emmanuel Osahon had change of tactics and Raheemot Adebayo managed to score the curtain raiser in the 65th minute before Folashade Ijamilusi made it two eight minutes later.
Rukayat Shobowale put the icing on the cherry with the third goal in the 80th minute to ensure FC Robo secure their sixth win of the season from 11 games. They have displaced Delta Queens (who are now fourth on the log with 17 points) to occupy the third position in Group B with 19 points from 11 games while Bayelsa Queens (21 points) and Rivers Angels (20 points) occupy the top two with only two rounds of games to the end of the regular season.
In Group A, Edo Queens and Nasarawa Amazons with 23 and 21 points respectively have virtually picked two of the three tickets with the third ticket a three horse races between Confluence Queens (16 points), Naija Ratels (15 points) and Osun Babes (14 points).
But in Group B it is real battle for the three tickets with no team assured of anything yet. Rivers Angels (now second with 20 points) seemed to be cruising at some stages but they have lost two of their last three games and have been knocked off the perk by Bayelsa Queens who are now atop with 21 points.
FC Robo are now third with 19 points but they have played a game more than Delta Queens who are presently fourth with 17 points. Next round of games billed for next Wednesday will be crucial for the four teams.
Meanwhile, after almost going unbeaten in the regular season, Edo Queens suffered their first defeat of the season in Lafia against Nasarawa Amazons while Osun Babes, Confluence Queens, and Bayelsa Queens bagged crucial wins to either strengthened their stronghold on Super 6 tickets or leave the drop zone for good as the Nigeria Women’s Football League Premiership entered Week 12.
At the Lafia Township Stadium, Nasarawa Amazons defeated Edo Queens 2-0 to inflict the first loss of the season on the Wemimo Matthew led Benin based side. Chimeberem Opara and Tarnum Dooshima who scored his seventh goal of the season were responsible for the goals in the sixth and 51st minutes.
The Solid Babes remain in second spot with 21 points from 10 games and they have opened up a five point gap between them and third placed Confluence Queens who have 16 points but with a game more. But Edo Queens still remain at the driver’s seat in Group A with 23 points from 10 matches.
At the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja Favour Nkwocha’s 62nd minute effort was enough for Confluence Queens to pip Adamawa Queens 1-0. Confluence Queens are in third position in Group A with 16 points from 11 games but Adamawa Queens are sixth with nine points from 10 games.
Osun Babes boosted their survival chances with a 2-0 away win against Pelican Stars in Calabar through the goals of Grace Marcus and Alvine Dahz in the 63rd and 90th minutes. The Omoluabi Babes firmed their grip on fifth spot with 14 points from 11 games.
Etim Edidiong’s 83rd minute strike for Bayelsa Queens in Warri against Royal Queens ensured they leapfrogged Rivers Angels to top Group B with 21 points from 10 games. Royal Queens with a brace from Tosin Ogundeko had beaten Rivers Angels 3-1 in Port Harcourt the penultimate midweek but they were unstuck at home against the reigning Aiteo Cup champions, Bayelsa Queens.
Royal Queens are still fifth on the Group B table with 10 points from 10 games.
At the Umuahia Township Stadium, Abia Angels held reigning league champions, Rivers Angels to a goalless draw to improve to eight points from 10 matches. They are sixth and time is running out for them to secure more points to avoid relegation. Rivers Angels who at a time were cruising at the top with as many as five points have slipped to the second spot with 20 points from 11 games. They are without a win in their last three games.
NWFL Premiership 2022| Week 12 | FULL TIME RESULTS & GOALSCORERS.
*|Nasarawa Amazons 2-0 Edo Queens|
Chimeberem Opara 6′ | 1-0
Tarnum Dooshima 51’| 2-0
*|Confluence Queens 1-0 Adamawa Queens|
Favour Nkwocha’ 62′ ⚽| 1-0
*|Pelican Stars 0-2 Osun Babes|
Marcus Grace 63’| 0-1
Alvine Dahz 90’| 0-2
*| |Royal Queens 0-1 Bayelsa Queens|
Etim Edidiong 83’| 0-1
*|Abia Angels 0-0 Rivers Angels
*|FC Robo Queens 3-0 Sunshine Queens
Raheemot Adebayo 65’|
Folashade Ijamilusi 73’|
Rukayat Shobowale 80’|
