The first stanza of the NWFL Premiership season 2021/22 ends today and the mid-season break and opening of the February transfer window will follow suit as the race to usurp the league title from incumbent champions, Rivers Angels continues to gather momentum
The matchday 7 fixtures will witness six massive fixtures across six centres in the Nigerian women’s league topflight with Edo Queens and Bayelsa Queens excused from the midweek fixtures having fulfilled their quota for the first stanza.
The battle to become halfway league leaders is still up for grabs in both groups. In Group A Nasarawa Amazons can supplant unbeaten Edo Queens as first stanza champions with a home win against Confluence Queens whose best position can only be third spot even with an away win in Lafia.
In Group B, Bayelsa Queens slender lead at the top will be under threat when Rivers Angels host erratic Sunshine Queens in Port Harcourt. The Jewel of Rivers surrendered their numero Uno spot to the Restoration Ladies when they were beaten 1-0 in Nembe. Can they reclaim the position?
Royal Queens Vs FC Robo Queens – Warri Township Stadium, Warri:
Royal Queens welcomes the ‘Lagos Landladies’ to their home fortress in Warri. The ‘Canadian Geese’ need an outright win against FC Robo Queens to make amend for their disastrous loss to Delta Queens in Asaba last week. With four points from possible 15 and in sixth spot another negative result in the last of game of the first stanza will see them waxing stronger in the relegation zone.
Coach Emmanuel Osahon will also hope FC Robo Queens end the first round with a flourish in Warri having began the season lukewarm. They are fourth on log with seven points and four points off leaders, Bayelsa Queens.
Rivers Angels Vs Sunshine Queens – UNIPORT Sports Complex, Port Hacourt:
Rivers Angels host struggling Sunshine Queens to Port Harcourt with the three points as the only respite for their insipid defeat to Bayelsa Queens last week. It was the loss that ended their unbeaten start to the season and also saw them drop to the second spot.
With Bayelsa Queens drawn bye having completed their first stanza games, a home win for Rivers Angels will see Edwin Okon tutored ladies returning to the top of Group B. They are tipped to get the maximum points against disappointing Sunshine Queens who needed a late push before drawing at home to lowly Abia Angels last week.
Pelican Stars Vs Naija Ratels – U.J Usuene Stadium, Calabar:
The ‘Ayade Ladies’ are yet to score a goal after five games in the ongoing season and they are up against wounded Naija Ratels who lost their unbeaten start to the season last week at home to Nasarawa Amazons in Abuja. Having lost all the games they have played this season, Pelican Stars with rich vein of tremendous track record will be under huge pressure to record a positive outcome against NWFL Premiership newcomers.
Naija Ratels dominated headlines in the opening games of the season and they could end it impressively with an away win in Calabar which may be enough to see them retain their spot ahead of top season campaigners like Confluence Queens and Osun Babes.
Nasarawa Amazons Vs Confluence Queens – Lafia City Stadium:
After an unproductive start to the season, Nasarawa Amazons under the tutelage of Christopher Danjuma has managed to turn a corner and have recorded four victories in the last five games with their only loss being to Edo Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Matchday three.
The ‘Solid Babes’ needs an outright victory against Confluence Queens to finish as mid-season leaders in group A. They are presently on 12 points, while Edo Queens, who are on bye this Wednesday are on 14 points.
Meanwhile, Confluence Queens need to get back to winning ways in Lafia, after going through series of poor results in their last three games. They drawww at home against Edo Queens, lost to Adamawa Queens in Gombe, then played a goalless draw at home against Naija Ratels.
Osun Babes Vs Adamawa Queens – Lanreleke Stadium, Ile-Ogbo:
Two teams with similar form will face each other at the Lanreleke Stadium, Ile-Ogbo today with Osun Babes FC locking horns with Adamawa Queens. Osun Babes are second from bottom team in Group A, but a win will see them move a step forward to the fifth spot.
The ‘Omoluabi Queens’ have recorded just one win in their last five games. A situation, the technical crew will be hoping to overturn with a victory against the ‘Fintiri Ladies’.
Abia Angels Vs Delta Queens – Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia:
Abia Angels picked a point away from home last week in Akure, against Sunshine Queens and in the process managed to get their first goal of the season also. They will fancy their chances against Delta Queens who are eager to pick another maximum points that will ensure they stay in the top two in Group B at least if other results go their way.
Abia Angels who are presently bottom of Group B will be buoyed to record their first win of the season after their bravery in Akure last week.
The second stanza of the 2022 NWFL Premiership League resumes February 23, while the season ends on April 6, 2022 to give way for the NWFL Premiership Super 6 where the League Champions will be determined.
At the end of league games on April 6, three teams each from Group A and B will pick tickets for the Super 6.
