RIVERS ANGELS CALL ON FANS TO TURN UP AS THEY TACKLE DELTA IN NWPL

Players and officials of six-time Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) champions, Rivers Angels, have called on the club’s supporters to come out in their numbers as they play host to Delta Queens in the last group game of the season at the Yakubu Gowon stadium, on Wednesday.

The Jewel of Rivers are currently top of Group A with 10 points and need a win to secure a spot in this season’s NWFL Super 4.

Team Captain, Charity John made a direct appeal to the fans to show up, not only to watch the beautiful game of football, but add vociferous support to the Angels’ quest.

John, while calling on the fans, was equally optimistic that the Jewel of Rivers would nick all the three points on offer on Wednesday.

“In order for us to qualify for the Super 4, our expectation as a team is nothing short of victory,” John said.

“We’ve always made the good people of Rivers State proud and will keep doing it. Since this is our last game of the season, we are appealing to our fans to come out and cheer us to victory,” she added.

Team manager of Rivers Angels, Matilda Oyiloha Micheal, added that Wednesday’s game is a very crucial one and the team needs all the support they can get from the fans.

“The tension is very high as it stands right now because all the teams in the group are working on their different strategies to ensure qualification,” Oyiloha said.

Rivers Angels

“As a team we are very focused, and we promise not to let anyone down come Wednesday.

“But having our fans out there with us will be an added advantage to us as the hosts.

“I equally want to assure the fans that they won’t be disappointed as they make it to the stadium,” she concluded.

Meanwhile Wednesday’s Matchday 6 battle with Delta Queens has been declared open to all as no gate fees will be charged.

Kick-off time is 4pm.

Edo State To Host 2016/2017 NWPL Super 4 tourney

All is now set for the kickoff of the 2016/17 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) Super 4 tournament of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) billed to take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

The Super 4 will hold from 11th to 16th September in Benin City.

Edo State Government are the sponsors of this year’s competition which will involve four teams.

Chairperson of the NWFL, Aisha told Nwfl.com.ng on Wednesday at the draw that the mini tournament is expected to produce the overall winner of the season.

She said teams that will do battle at the championship are reigning champions Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, Delta Queens and Nasarawa Amazons.

Speaking on the format of the six-day event, Falode said that the tournament will be a round robbin event with all the four teams playing against each other before the top two lock horns in the final to determine the overall champion.

Arrival date for the competition shall be 11th September with teams departing Benin City on 16th September.

Falode also used the opportunity to express her gratitude to the government and people of Edo State for accepting to host the championship despite other pressing issues projects on their hand.

“We want to specially thank the Government of Edo State for their remarkable magnanimity in being the gracious hosts for the NWPL Super 4 Championships,” Falode said.

“I am certain we will have a fantastic tournament with the great facilities in the state.”

The highly rated broadcaster appealed to corporate bodies to always associate with the NWFL brand.

“I want to use the occasion of this event to ask discerning companies, organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to sponsor and associate with the NWFL. I can assure you that this property will give you a remarkable return on investment, significant goodwill and visibility for your brand.

“As this board prepares to actualize its vision of taking the NWFL to greater heights, we cannot pretend that the workload before us is light.

“It is anything but. However, we also realize the considerable responsibility we are tasked with and we realise that a whole generation of youths and women look to us for inspiration, for leadership, for livelihood
and for the attainment of their dreams. We will not let them down. We will not let you down!

The winner of the Super 4 will be #3m richer while the runners up will earn #2m.

NWPL Super 4 Schedule (September 11-16)

Day 1 (September 11)
Arrival

Day 2 (September 12)
Nasarawa Amazons Vs Bayelsa Queens
Delta Queens Vs Rivers Angels

Day 3 (September 13)
Rivers Angels Vs Nasarawa Amazons
Bayelsa Queens Vs Delta Queens

Day 4 (September 14)
Nasarawa Amazons Vs Delta Queens
Rivers Angels Vs Bayelsa Queens

Day 5 (September 15)
Final

Day 6 (September 16)
Departure

OKON: LOSS TO BAYELSA QUEENS WILL INSPIRE US TO VICTORY

The battle is pretty much on as far as qualification for the Nigeria Women Football league (NWFL) Super 4 is concerned and defending champions, Rivers Angels believe they can still be amongst the best.

The NWFL side suffered her first defeat in the current season at the hands of Bayelsa Queens during a Week 8 encounter at the Nembe City Stadium which saw them drop to second place on the log.

Rivers Angels

In spite of the loss, the Jewel of Rivers are still confident they can make the final four and retain the title.

Technical Adviser of the side, Edwin Okon, who believes officiating has been a challenge especially on the road says last week’s setback will be used as a morale booster when they face Heartland Queens of Owerri on Wednesday.

The former Super Falcons gaffer equally didn’t fail to acknowledge the fact that the loss to Bayelsa Queens was a big blow to his side since the target is to go undefeated throughout the season.

“It will boost the confidence of the team because we played against the referee in Nembe,” he stated.

“That loss was a very big blow to us because we didn’t plan to lose any match.

“We are going into the match on Wednesday to redeem our image,” Okon added.

The Jewel of Rivers will be facing a team that is seen as bad travellers but Okon has refused to underrate them saying he expects a good game from the Owerri based side.

Heartland Queens forced Rivers Angels to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture and the gaffer says his side will leave no stone unturned.

Edwin Okon Technical Adviser Rivers Angels

“No match is as easy as one thinks, every game is a difficult one,” said the former Super Falcons gaffer.

“I expect a good match from them but at the same time we expect to get all three points.” he summed up.

FORM GUIDE (Last five matches):

Rivers Angels: DWDWL

Rivers Angels 0-0 Abia Angels (A)
Rivers Angels 2-0 Sunshine Queens (H)
Rivers Angels 1-1 Heartland Queens (A)
Rivers Angels 2-1 Bayelsa Queens (H)
Rivers Angels 2-1 Bayelsa Queens (A)

Heartland Queens: LDDLW

Heartland Queens 0-2 Bayelsa Queens (A)
Heartland Queens 1-1 FC Robo (H)
Heartland Queens 1-1 Rivers Angels (H)
Heartland Queens 0-4 Ibom Angels (A)
Heartland Queens 2-1 Ibom Angels (H)

RIVERS ANGELS EDGE SUNSHINE QUEENS

An own goal from Akudo Ogbonna in the first half and an Amarachi Ojinma lob in second half was all Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Champions, Rivers Angels needed to edge their visitors, Sunshine Queens in a match day 5 encounter played at the Yakubu Gowon stadium in Port Harcourt.

The league champions dominated the first half as they came close to hitting the back of the net on several occasions but failed to convert their chances.

However, the pressure on the visitors increased as it led to an own goal in the 26th minute when the Akure side’s central defender, Ogbonna tried to clear a cross from Ugo Njoku inside the box but ended up heading the ball into the back of the net.

Rivers Angels went into half time with a 1-0 lead but wasted no time in getting into top gear in the second 45 minutes when Amarachi Ojinma lobbed in the ball beyond Elizabeth following a supposed clearance from the defense line of Sunshine Queens in the 61st minute.

After the game, Technical Adviser of the Port Harcourt side, Edwin Okon praised the resilience of his players.

“I have to thank the players for making it two goals today. “One in the first half and the other in the second half despite missing lots of chances. “Generally we have the three points at stake and am happy,” said the gaffer.

On her part, Head coach of Sunshine Queens, Wemimo Matthew felt officiating wasn’t favourable to her side.

“The game wasn’t too bad as my girls did their best. “But when you talk about officiating, it wasn’t fair,” she said. “From what I saw this evening, I don’t think it’s a free and fair officiating,” she added.

With Wednesday’s win, Rivers Angels now top Group A of the Nigeria Women Football League with 8 points and will be on the road to Heartland Queens of Owerri in a rescheduled match day 1 game of the NWFL on May 6.

RIVERS ANGELS PLAY ABIA ANGELS IN PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY TODAY

Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) side, Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt will on Wednesday take on Abia Angels of Aba in a pre-season friendly as measures to intensify her preparation for the 2016/2017 league season.

Technical Adviser of the side, Edwin Okon confirmed the friendly to Rivers Angels Media after Tuesday’s training at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Okon said the reigning NWFL champions needed a couple of friendlies to ascertain the fitness of his girls.

The former Super Falcons gaffer said he was delighted the Commissioner for Sports, Honorable Boma Iyaye approved these friendlies.

“I have requested for a friendly from the owners of the club and they’ve approved about four friendlies for the team,” he said.

“After so much work you need to taste your job, the friendly will help me see how the new players will blend with the old ones because there is a big task ahead for the team this season. “So I am happy with the approval of the friendly matches,” he added.

The friendly match with Abia Angels holds at Abanyi in Aba by 3 pm.

Rivers Angels

The Nigeria Women Football league kicks off on March 25 and the Jewel of Rivers are expected to start their campaign on the road to Capital City Doves on April 5.

Rivers Angels is in group A alongside, Bayelsa Queens, Sunshine Queens, Heartland Queens, Ibom Angels, COD Ladies, FC Robo, Abia Angels and Capital City Doves

RIVERS ANGELS CROWNED NWFL CHAMPIONS

Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt on Saturday emerged champions of the 2015/2016 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) for the third consecutive season after beating Nasarawa Amazons 5-3 on penalties.

Rivers Angels Port Harcourt crowned NWFL 2015/2016 champions

The match played inside the FIFA Goal Project ended in a stalemate after regulation time as both sides showed levels of brilliance but none of them could break the deadlock.

It was straight to a penalty shoot-out after the draw as Angels skipper and goalkeeper Charity John turned out to be the hero of the day.
John saved Nasarawa Amazon’s third kick taken by Ejalonibe Adejoke to ensure the NWFL defending champions had a lifeline.

Uju Joseph’s calm effort in the last spot kick for the Ultimate Club ensured Rivers Angels won their third consecutive league trophy, bringing it to five, the number of NWFL titles won by the team

Rivers Angels Port Harcourt crowned NWFL 2015/2016 champions

The win ensured Rivers Angels crowned their season with a double as they had also grabbed the Federation Cup in November 2016 in similar way.

After the win, head coach Edwin Okon said he was a happy man

“Coming back from a break to have a three to four days training, I think am the happiest man.

“I expected them to do what they did today, I wasn’t expecting so much from the team and I thank God for the victory,” Said Okon.

Rivers Angels Port Harcourt crowned NWFL 2015/2016 champions

Having lost to Rivers Angels for a second time this season, Head coach of Nasarawa Amazons, Christopher Danjuma still believes his side was the better side on the day.

“My girls were excellent and their performance was very good despite the final result,” he said

“The first one we lost during the course of the game while we lost this one on penalties so it doesn’t matter because I know we are better”. Danjuma added.

Winners Cup: Rivers Angels, Nasarawa Amazons Light Up Abuja

Federation Cup winners Rivers Angels will take on Nasarawa Amazons in the Winners Cup match of the Nigeria Women Football League at the FIFA Goal Project, National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday.

A statement from the secretariat of the NWFL and signed by the Executive Secretary, Mr. Ayo Abdulrahaman clarified that the match, earlier scheduled for Wednesday, 18th January 2017 had been moved to Saturday, 21st January, to start at 3pm on that day.

The Winners Cup is the women’s version of the NPFL’s Super 4 mini-tournament, and is the official season –closing event of the Women’s League.

Rivers Angels

Rivers Angels FC is regarded as perhaps the strongest women football club in the land, though the girls from Lafia can never be pushovers for any team. Both teams regularly supply players to all categories of the National Teams, from the U17 to the senior team, Super Falcons.

NWFL Throws Out Tokas, Doves, State House Queens

The Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL has sent packing three teams from the premier and pro cadre for breach of the rules and regulations governing the League.

Ayo Abdulrahaman, Executive Secretary of the NWFL, told thenff.com on Wednesday that the Ad-hoc Committee governing the NWFL has already communicated this decision to the affected clubs.

The clubs are Tokas Queens, Capital City Doves and State House Queens. While Tokas Queens and City Doves campaigned in the Premier League, State House Queens played in the pro league.

In the letter intimating the Nigeria Football Federation of the decision and addressed to the NFF General Secretary, Abdulrahaman wrote: “I have the directive of the Ad-hoc Committee Chairman of the league to inform the Federation of some league clubs that have lost their slots due to falure to honour three (3) matches in the current season, and as supported by article 4.2 paragraphs 1 and 5 of the 2015/2016 Nigeria Women Football League rules, they are out of the league.”

Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee of the NWFL, Alhaji Babagana Kalli confirmed the development to thenff.com.

RIVERS ANGELS START NEW NWFL SEASON ON A HIGH

Amaechi Ojini scored on her debut as Defending champions of the Nigeria Women Football League, Rivers Angels opened their season campaign with a 4-1 thumping of Martins White Doves at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin.

The former Kogi Confluence forward came off the bench to send in a rebound from close range after goalkeeper Obia Christiana parried away a shot from Mercy Amanze in the 90th minute.

The sizzling champions had taken the lead in the 6th minute through central defender, Osinachi Ohale who blasted from 20 yards beyond the reach of goalkeeper Obia.

Martins White Doves FC

Amarachi Ojinma doubled the lead in the 18th minute from a Mercy Amanze cross inside the 18 yard box.

The Port Harcourt side continued to dominate play until the 22nd minute when Cynthia Aku sent in a rebound from a Glory Iroka’s shot that hit the cross bar but it was ruled off by the center referee.

However in the 27th minute, Afodia John capitalised on Osinachi Ohale’s error from the midfield to make the tally 2-1.

It didn’t stop there as Rivers Angels continued to haunt the defense of their opponent in the second half and 17 minutes later Mercy Amanze raised the tally to 3-1.

Amarachi Ojinma scored in the 77th minute from a superb cross by Ugo Njoku from a set piece outside the box but was this time denied by the assistant referee.

Ojini however sealed things for the league champions to hand them a well deserved victory.

Technical Adviser of Rivers Angels, Edwin Okon is a happy man

“It’s the first match of the season and is as important as the finals of the league, so you just have to try as much as you can to win your first match”

“So winning away from home is a plus for us and I think am happy as a coach and the team is equally happy” said an excited Okon.

Coach of Martins White Doves, Gladys Nwagbara said her team played against a better side.

“I believe we played against a good side. Rivers Angels is one of the best female teams in Nigeria”.

“That we lost the game doesn’t mean that we cannot win our next game so we’re going back to make sure we come out with something in our next game” she said.

RIVERS ANGELS

In other NWFL centers

GROUP A

TOKAS QUEENS 0-1 EDO QUEENS

BAYELSA QUEENS 3-1 COD LADIES

NASARAWA AMAZONS 3-0 ABIA ANGELS

OSUN BABES 2-0 PELICAN STARS

GROUP B

MARTINS WHITE DOVES 1-4 RIVERS ANGELS

CAPITAL CITY DOVES 1-0 TARABA QUEENS

SUNSHINE QUEENS 1-1 CONFLUENCE QUEENS

FC ROBO 2-2 DELTA QUEENS

Jessica Amadi

NFF Constitutes Selection Committees For Boards Of Leagues

The Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday released names of the selection committees for the Boards of the Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nigeria Nationwide League One, under the new governance structure.

Heading the selection committee for the Nigeria National League is Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, who is also chairman of the NFF Referees Committee. Other members are Sir Emmanuel Ochiagha (an outgoing board member), Dodo Isah (also an outgoing board member), Mr. Julius Atete (Chairman of J. Atete FC) and Prince Oladimeji Thompson of Kwara United FC.

A member of the NFF Executive Committee, Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi heads the selection committee for the Nigeria Women Football League. Members are Peter Oguche (an outgoing board member), Emmanuel Zira (an outgoing board member), Augustus Ikenwa of Cerezo Queens FC and Emmanuel Osahon of FC Robo Queens.

Another NFF Executive Committee member, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa heads the selection committee for the Nationwide League One. Members are Labaran Danladi of FC Abuja, Mr. Tony Akoma of FC Akoma, Babatunde Johnson of FC Juvenile, Hon. Emmanuel Okereke of FC NEK, Hon. Abdullahi M. Yauri of Yalwa United and Salisu Mohammed of El-Kanemi Babes FC.

The selection committees will constitute the Boards of the various Leagues.