Heartland Queens against all odds put up a spirited performance to zoom to the next round of the 2023 Women’s Federation Cup.
The Queens from Owerri came back from a goal down to beat favourites Confluence Queens 2-1 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba in a Round of 32 tie.
Chukwuamaka Osigwe had put the Confluence Queens in the ascendancy in the 19th after she connected a defence splitting pass from her teammate. This caused a defensive mix up and Osigwe was left one on one with Heartland Queens goalkeeper, Inyene Etim who placed the ball beyond the reach of the goalie who had rushed out to make a save.
The goal did not unsettle Heartland Queens and they almost equalised in two minutes after the opening goal. Mmesoma Ibeh placed a shot from inside the 18 yard box but the ball hit the crossbar. The shot came immediately after the Owerri side protested an alleged handball in the Kogi State representatives’ vital area. It was waved away by the centre referee.
Heartland Queens were only left with half chances after then but Confluence Queens had plethora of chances to increase the scoreline but for the done saves of Inyene Etim who ensured the first half ended with the Owerri Landladies trailing by a lone goal.
The second half adopted a similar pattern with Heartland Queens defence constantly under pressure but that changed after team head coach, Obi Ogbala introduced Chinwendu Orji and others in the 60th minute. The changes brought the desired effect as a goal bound Orji was fouled in the 18 yard box by the Confluence Queens’ goalkeeper in the 68th minute.
Mary Lucky converted the ensuing spot kick. She buried the ball to the bottom right while the goalkeeper went the wrong way in the 71st minute. The equaliser was the least Heartland Queens deserved because they turned the game on its head midway into the second half.
Inyene Etim, the Super Falcons and Flamingoes goalkeeper who was making her debut had a fantastic game. It was she that began the Heartland Queens amazing comeback with strings of saves to keep her team in the competition. She was the heroine of the game with Mary Lucky supplying the ammunition with which the team progressed to the next round.
After Confluence Queens spurned some chances due to the agility of Etim, Mary Lucky got the winning goal in the 87th minute. She had got a delectable pass from one of her teammate which disorganised the Kogi reps’ defence and she was left one on one with their opponents’ goalie. She buried the ball beyond the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper for the second goal.
Heartland Queens withstood all dangers from Confluence Queens afterwards for the remaining three minutes and the additional time.
They are through to the Round of 16 of the Women’s Federation Cup and are awaiting their opponents in that round.
Speaking after the Heartland Queens head coach, Obi Ogbala said he was not surprised they won the game. He said being a former coach of Confluence Queens he was able to give them sufficient information about the Lokoja based team.
He praised his girls for their strong will and desire to win and he charged them to do even better in the next game.
The scorer of both goals, Mary Lucky affirmed that she would continue to improve other aspects of her game as she would like to score more goals.
Inyene Etim, the adjudged Woman of the Match, was humble despite the adulation threw at her.
She maintained she would continue to do our best for Heartland FC.
Meanwhile, Imo second representative, First Mahi Babes out up a good show but were undone by the own goal they conceded midway into the first half. They crashed out 1-0 to Royal Queens.
71′ Heartland Quyons 1-1 Confluence Queens
Mary Lucky converts the spot kick for the equaliser.
87′ Heartland Queens 2-1 Confluence Queens
Goal!!!
90′ Heartland Queens 2-1 Confluence Queens
Mary Lucky rolls the ball into an empty net to put the Queens from Owerri in the lead.
