Rivers Angels Technical Adviser Edwin Okon has expressed delight at his side’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Delta Babes in the AITEO Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Amarachi Ojinma scored twice while Chinaza Uchendu, Patience Kalu, Cecilia Nku contributed one goal each to ensure an easy start for the Jewel of Rivers in their quest to defend the title.
Okon believes they could have even scored more.
“I am happy because playing an amateur team like this isn’t an easy task,” the former Super Falcons coach said. “We were in a hurry to score in the first half which made us miss so many chances.”
He, however, pointed out that regardless of the result, progressing to the Round of 16 is what matters the most.
“All we needed was qualification, even if it had ended 1-0, qualifying was the target,” Okon added.
Visiting Delta Babes were no match for the Angels as they could only manage two shots on target in the match.
Elsewhere in Lagos, another Delta State team kissed the tournament goodbye as FC Robo Queens shocked Delta Queens 1-0 to book a place in the next round.
Esther Ndubuisi’s goal in the second half of that encounter made the difference.
Speaking to the media after the match, Delta Queens Right Back, Lilian Cole said, “I had so much expectation before the match based on our excellent run in the league but the outcome of the match actually confirms that there are no underdogs especially in women’s football.”
Delta Queens who finished on top of Group B in the regular season of the Nigeria Women Premier League still has a shot at a title though as they now concentrate fully on the NWPL Super Four tournament scheduled for next month.
“I think our focus now should be on the Super Four as this defeat will certainly spur us to claim the title as a compensation,” Cole added.
The defender represented Bayelsa Queens in last season’s AITEO Cup and was the one who missed the vital penalty kick which led to Rivers Angels emerging as champions.
AITEO Cup Round of 32 RESULTS
Rivers Angels 5-0 Delta Babes
Adamawa Queens 0-1 Edo Queens
FC Robo Queens 1-0 Delta Queens
Confluence Queens 3-0 Invincible Queens (walk over)
Beautiful Tours 3-1 Moje Queens
Bayelsa Queens Feeders 4-0 Fortress Ladies
Pelican Stars 1-0 Young Talents 99
TEAMS IN THE AITEO CUP ROUND OF 16
Ben Women FC, Ibom Angels, Jokodolu Babes, Sure Babes, Sunshine Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Osun Babes, Abia Angels, Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, FC Robo Queens, Confluence Queens, Beautiful Tours, Rivers Angels, Bayelsa United Feeders and Pelican Stars.
