There were three goals in two matches as the Nigeria Women Premier League Super Four got underway on Monday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.
Ugochi Emanayo scored the first goal of the championship from the penalty spot as Nasarawa Amazons enjoyed a 1-0 victory over Bayelsa Queens, before Delta Queens made a huge statement by stunning a below-par Rivers Angels 2-0 in the second match of the day.
The Warri-based side was in terrific form against the Jewel of Rivers and they had beautiful goals from Amirat Adebisi Saheed and Rosemary Okezie to show by the end of their impressive display.
Dignitaries including the Governor of Edo State, ably represented by his deputy Rt. Hon. Philip Shuaibu witnessed the thrills and frills of Matchday 1.
The results from Matchday 1 of the NWPL Super Four means group B has set the pace for the title race. You will recall that the 2016/17 NWPL season began with the regular season which had 15 teams in two groups (A and B). By the end of the regular season, Bayelsa Queens and Rivers Angels qualified for the Super Four from group A while Delta Queens and Nasarawa Amazons booked their tickets from group B.
With three points apiece, Delta Queens and Nasarawa Amazons are both one win away from the final of the NWPL Super Four, while Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens, with no points yet, are both one defeat away from giving up on the title.
Player of the day
Amirat Adebisi Saheed: the Delta Queens midfield maestro did enough to earn this for her dazzling display against Rivers Angels where she scored the first goal and set up Rosemary Okezie for the second. Whenever she had the ball at her feet, she made her jersey number (10) very conspicuous.
Quote of the day
Joy Jegede (Captain of Delta Queens): This team is hungry to win. it’s been long we tasted top level of competition like the Super Four, Super two and Super six. We’ve been hoping to be in a tournament like this and we are hungry to play, hungry to win.
Next Fixtures (Tuesday 10, October)
Rivers Angels vs Nasarawa Amazons – 2pm
Bayelsa Queens vs Delta Queens – 4pm
