By Francis Joseph
Bayelsa Queens on Sunday strolled past the reigning Champions of the Nigerian Woman Football League (NWFL), Rivers Angel’s to secure a place in the finals of the 2021 Women’s Aiteo Cup at the Training Pitch of the Godswil Akpabio International Stadium Uyo.
The match which started on a high note saw both teams seizing up each other in the early exchanges but came to life in the 14th minute when Bassey of Bayelsa Queens had the first attempt to score from close range but her attempt went inches wide. Bayelsa Queen’s dominance finally paid off in the 20th minute when Peace Effih was on hand to score the first goal of the encounter, while River’s Angel’s were trying to settle down and get an equalizer, Anjor Mary of Bayelsa Queens won a free kick for the glory and girl’s, she stepped up to take the freekick and beat the goalkeeper of River’s Angel’s in the 26th minutes to make the score 2 zero for Bayelsa Queens.
In the 34th minute, Vivian Ikechukwu of River’s Angel’s had a chance to pull one back but her effort went over the bar in the 18-yard box, a few minutes later, River’s Angel’s will be made to pay for their missed chance as peace effih scored her second of the day to make it 3 zero to Bayelsa Queens in the 37th minutes.
With their back on the wall, the pride of River’s went out searching for a goal back before the halftime break but conceded another goal in the 43rd minutes through Sunday Juliet strike to make it 4 zero to the Gloryland Girls at halftime.
Any hope of a second-half comeback for Rivers Angel’s were quickly dashed as they had a nightmare start early on, Bayelsa Queens scored just three minutes into the second half through Bassey who scored her second goal of the day in the 48th minutes to make it 5-nill for Bayelsa Queens.
As rivers Angel’s push forward and searched for a consolation goal, they were awarded a penalty in 60th minutes, Mariam Ezenagu stepped up to take the penalty but was saved by Bayelsa Queens Goalkeeper Sandra Chichi. Vivian Ikechukwu missed another opportunity for Rivers Angel’s in the 69th minutes as Bayelsa Queens Goalkeeper Sandra Chichi proved solid again at the back and provided a stunning save from close range to deny ezenagu from getting a consolation for Rivers Angel’s in the 83rd minutes. Peace Effih of Bayelsa Queens had a chance to get her hat-trick but was denied by the River’s Angel’s goalkeeper, ibubuleye Whyte to end the score 5-nill in favor of the Bayelsa Queens at full-time.
Rivers Angel’s Coach explained that it was fatigued that affected his team as they are going to prepare for the upcoming Wafu B Caf Women’s qualifier later this month while Bayelsa Queens Technical Adviser, Moses Aduku was pleased with his team performance and happy to be in the finals.
The second semifinals take place tomorrow (Monday) between Edo Queens and FC Robo and the winner faces Bayelsa Queens in the final.
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