The flagship competition among the women’s folks in Nigeria, the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership for the 2021-22 season kicked off on Wednesday across six-match centres with usual suspects Bayelsa Queens, FC Robo Queens, Edo Queens all recording vital wins while reigning champions, Rivers Angels were held to a barren draw by Delta Queens.
The Matchday One recorded 13 goals scored from the six games played.
In Group A, it’s a dream start for top-flight newcomers, Naija Ratels who marked their debut with a 2-0 home win over Osun Babes at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja.
The hard-fought game ended goalless at halftime but Adugbe Olamide broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute to give the hosts the advantage before Agama Zipere doubled the lead to seal the crucial three points in the 78th minute.
Rivers Angels began their title defence with a stalemate at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, against the hosts, Delta Queens in what was dubbed the season’s curtain-raiser.
Rivers Angels will next face another tough opponent in the league, FC Robo Queens of Lagos in Port Harcourt on December 15, 2021, in one of the Matchday Two fixtures.
Confluence Queens recorded the biggest scores of the evening as they spanked Pelican Stars 4-0.
Winifred Eiyebhoria scored the fastest and first goal of the season after she opened the scoring in the first minute of the game. Mercy Omokwu doubled the lead in the 21st minute before extending the host’s lead in the 36th minute as the Queens’ took a 3-0 advantage at halftime. Omokwu continued from where she stopped at halftime as she added another with six minutes left on the regular time, becoming the first player to register a hat-trick this season.
2021 AITEO Cup Champions, Bayelsa Queens thrashed the home side, Sunshine Queens 3-0 at the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure, with all goals coming in the first half.
Sunday Juliet notched the opener just two minutes into the game before Anjor Mary netted a brace in the 41st and 44th minutes to ensure the Restoration Ladies were home and dry by halftime.
FC Robo Queens continued from where they stopped last season as they beat Abia Angels 2-0, at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Lagos. The ‘Lagos Landladies’ have a decent record against their visitors from Aba.
Oke Maria headed home the opener in the 21st minute. Folashade Ijamilusi converted the first penalty kick of the NWFL season to double the lead for the hosts in the 38th minute.
Newly promoted, Adamawa Queens were given a reality check infront of their fans after they were dazed 2-0 by ambitious Edo Queens. Chioma Olise and Emem Essien’s goals were enough to ensure the Edo Ladies began the season on a strong footing after the disappointment of the last season-ending playoffs.
•NWFL Premiership 2022 | Week One|
|FULL-TIME RESULTS AND GOALSCORERS|
*Confluence Queens 4-0 Pelican Stars
Winifred Eyebhoria 1′ Mercy Omokwu (3) 21′, 36′, 84′
*Naija Ratels 2-0 Osun Babes
Adugbe Olamide 52′, Agama Zipere 78′
*Adamawa Queens 0-2 Edo Queens
Chioma Olise 16′, Emem Essien 57′
*FC Robo Queens 2-0 Abia Angels
Maria Oke 21′, Folashade Ijamilusi 38′
*Delta Queens 0-0 Rivers Angels
*Sunshine Queens 0-3 Bayelsa Queens
Sunday Juliet 2′, Mary Anjor (2) 41′, 44′
