It will be a revenge of a sort on Saturday when Heartland Queens engage the hosts, Edo Queens in the quarterfinals of the 3rd edition of Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament (BOWFT) at the turf of Western Boys High School, Benin City.
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Both sides were locked together at the same stage in the immediate past edition of the annual preseason with the homers emerging winners at that auspicious occasion on four unanswered goals against the Owerri side at the ground of University of Benin (UNIBEN) Sports Complex.
It was the same Edo Queens’ nemesis on a five-goal thumbing at the UNIBEN Sports Complex that denied Heartland Queens a semifinals berth in the maiden edition of BOWFT. Then it was just the three groups’ winners and best losers that went straight to the semis.
Prior to the 2023 BOWFT quarters, the Obaseki Girls emerged top of Group A on 100% performance against challengers, Naija Ratels and Remo Stars Ladies while the Owerri Landladies were runners-up in Group C with wins against Royal Queens, Fortress Ladies and a loss to title holders and leaders, FC Robo Queens.
And in recent buildup for the upcoming 2023/2024 NWFL Premiership season in Benin City both sides shared the spoils on one goal apiece.
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Aside the familiarity on the field of play between the sides, the incumbent gaffer of the Benin City side, Moses Aduku was once at the helms of the Owerri side’s dugout.
So heading into the BOWFT quarters’ dugout on Saturday, October 28 the job is well spelled out for the Owerri side tactician and that is to convincingly beat Edo Queens aimed at bettering the side’s all time performance at the annual preseasons.
Of course, it’s going to be an uphill task, a huge mountain to climb but at the same time it’s still climbable given the qualities available at the door steps of the Owerri side manager.
The Owerri Landladies’ gaffer is spoiled for choices in all the departments – goalkeeping, defence, midfield and attack.
The presence of the most potent strikers in the domestic scene in the persons of Lucky Mary and Chinedu Chinaka is a huge plus, and safest hands – Amarachi Atulayo, Cynthia Akwasi and Uchenna Chukwu and strong as nail defenders, Onyedikachi Ekezie, Kelechi Orgii, Oluomachi Onwere and midfield maestro and former junior international, Oluchi Ofoegbu and Joy Enamino, among others.
And given the strong charges coming from the home front and team spirit, Heartland Queens look more a sure bet to cross Edo Queens’ hurdles for the first time and imprint their foot in the semis of the best annual preseasons in the land.
