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.
Positive and edifying history will be made on Sunday when Niger Tornadoes FC and Akwa United clash at the Agege Stadium for the right to be the first team to hoist the glittering AITEO Cup, freshly delivered for the purpose.
For the umpteenth time, change was effected in the name of the oldest competition in the land in June this year when Nigeria’s leading energy solutions company, AITEO Group, signed a multi–million naira partnership agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation to take over a championship that had been known as Governor’s Cup, Challenge Cup, FA Cup and Federation Cup in its 72 –year history.
Agege stadium Lagos
AITEO’s money and result–oriented activation strategy has to a large extent restored the well–known glamour of the competition, with a modern streak added to it, and Sunday’s Finale at a venue nicknamed The Soccer Temple will draw the curtain on a two–month long contest that has fully lived up to the name.
A full house is expected at The Soccer Temple to witness a potentially–explosive encounter between two teams gunning to win Nigeria’s oldest competition for the second time.
Tornadoes, who pipped Enugu Rangers 1-0 for their only diadem in 2000, shoved Cup holders FC IfeanyiUbah out of the race at the semi final stage, winning 4-3 on aggregate.
Akwa United, who won in 2015 after edging Lobi Stars 2-1, count eight –time winners Shooting Stars of Ibadan among their victims in this year’s competition.
Apart from pride and desire for one of the most attractive trophies in world football, a princely sum of N25 million awaits the conquerors in Sunday’s battle; the loser to go home with N10 million.
There is also a further motivation of continental football, as the winner will take Nigeria’s second slot in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup competition.
In the women’s event, Cup holders Rivers Angels are standing by for one of Ibom Angels of Uyo and Abia Angels of Umuahia for their own Finale in Jos on Wednesday, 18th October, and a sum of N10 million is ready for the winner of that match; the loser to go home with half that amount.
The guest list for Sunday’s epoch has Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Youth and Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, CAF President Ahmad, his three vice presidents Kwesi Nyantakyi, Omari Selemani and Fouzi Lekjaa, CAF Emergency Committee members Musa Bility and Souleiman Waberi, FIFA Council member Hany Abo Rida, NFF President Amaju Pinnick (also member of the CAF Emergency Committee), Members of the NFF Executive Committee and NFF Management, Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr and Members of the Lagos State Executive Council.
AITEO CUP 2017 (WOMEN’S COMPETITION)
ROUND OF 32
Adamawa Queens 0-1 Edo Queens
FC Robo Queens 1-0 Delta Queens
Confluence Queens 3-0 (W/O) Invincible Queens
Beautiful Tours 3-1 Moje Queens
Rivers Angels 5-0 Delta Babes
Bayelsa Queens Feeders 4-0 Fortress Ladies
Pelican Stars 1-0 Young Talents 99
* Ben Women FC, Ibom Angels, Jokodolu Babes, Sure Babes, Sunshine Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Osun Babes, Abia Angels and Bayelsa Queens were drawn bye into the Round of 16.
Edo Queens 0-0 Rivers Angels (Aggregate 0-0; 0-3 penalties)
Confluence Queens 2-2 Abia Angels (Aggregate 2-3)
SEMI FINALS (1ST LEG MATCHES)
Bayelsa Queens 2-2 Rivers Angels
Ibom Angels 2-0 Abia Angels
SEMI FINALS (2ND LEG MATCHES)
Rivers Angels 4-0 Bayelsa Queens (Aggregate 6-2)
Abia Angels Vs Ibom Angels (Sat, 14th October)
AITEO CUP 2017 (MEN’S COMPETITION)
NATIONAL PRELIMINARIES
Minda FC (Benue) 1-3 Tornadoes Feeders (Niger)
Moyero FC (Ondo) 3-1 Fashmog FC (Ekiti)
Young Talent (Sokoto) 2-5 Halfa FC (Jigawa)
Ayade Babes (Cross River) 1-0 Lexington FC (Taraba)
Kaka FC (Kaduna) 0-0 Potiskum Academy (Yobe) (5-6 penalties)
FC Galadima (Kebbi) 1-1 Jarma FC (Zamfara) (5-4 penalties)
Sam Daddy FC (Imo) 0-2 Coal City FC (Enugu)
Spartan FC (Lagos) 3-1 JCTC FC (Ogun)
IfeanyiUbah Feeders (Nnewi) 2-2 Cynosure FC (Ebonyi) (4-3 penalties)
George Turnah (Bayelsa) 1-3 Ngwa FC (Ebonyi)
NFF President Pinnick (second left), Aiteo Group DMD Francis Peters (second right), NFF 1st VP Seyi Akinwunmi (r) and Barr. A. U. Mustapha (l) after Aiteo group signed the sponsorship deal with the NFF
ROUND OF 64
Ngwa FC (Ebonyi) 6-2 FC Galadima (Kebbi)
Heartland FC (Imo) 0-0 Insurance FC (Edo) (5-4 penalties)
Lobi Stars (Benue) 2-0 Katsina United (Katsina)
Katsina United Feeders (Katsina) 1-0 Aklosendi FC (Nasarawa)
Aitel FC (Taraba) 0-0 Unicem Rovers (Cross River) (3-5 penalties)
Mighty Jets FC (Plateau) 1-2 Sunshine Stars (Ondo)
Bayelsa United (Bayelsa) 3-0 (W/O) FC Zamfara (Zamfara)
Adamawa United Feeders (Adamawa) 2-1 Cynosure FC (Rivers)
Ede United (Osun) 2-0 Sakaba United FC (Kebbi)
FC IfeanyiUbah Feeders (Anambra) 2-1 Jigawa Golden Stars
Niger Tornadoes of Minna will play in the Final of the men’s event of this year’s AITEO Cup Competition, after digging their feet into the ground to eliminate Cup holders FC IfeanyiUbah in Nnewi on Thursday.
Godwin Obaje scored from the spot with five minutes to go, for his sixth goal of the competition (same as Akwa United’s Christian Pyagbara and one more than Sunshine Stars’ Ajibola Otegbeye) but it was too little too late for the Anambra Warriors who lost the first leg 2-4 in Lokoja.
In the women’s competition, Cup holders Rivers Angels did not make the mistake that FC IfeanyiUbah made, as they took their scoring boots to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium to fire four goals past stubborn Bayelsa Queens, who earned a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Nembe.
Akwa United, 1-0 losers to Sunshine Stars in Ijebu-Ode in their semi final, first leg, will host the Akure darlings in their delayed semi final, second leg on Sunday.
The NFF Appeals Committee will decide the other women’s semi final, as Abia Angels are appealing their disqualification from the competition on grounds of using an ineligible player against Confluence Queens in the quarter finals.
AITEO Cup Update (Semi Finals: 2nd Leg)
WOMEN
Rivers Angels 4-0 Bayelsa Queens (6-2 aggregate)
* NFF Appeals Committee to decide on the case of Abia Angels/Confluence Queens, with Ibom Angels on standby to play the team that scales through.
MEN
FC IfeanyiUbah 1-0 Niger Tornadoes (3-4 aggregate)
Akwa United Vs Sunshine Stars (0-1)
* Second leg to take place in Uyo on Sunday, 8th October 2017
Alice Ogebe has insisted that Rivers Angels will have to fight hard to claim the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) title this season.
The Jewel of Rivers, who are the reigning NWPL champions start their Super 4 campaign with the South-South Derby against rivals Delta Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Tuesday 12th September.
And the former Delta Queens forward has admitted that they are in a good position to lift the trophy, but won’t take things for granted.
“It is still difficult to say whether we will win the Super 4,” Alice Ogebe said “There is still a lot to fight for. “However, this team is in good shape”.
Speaking further Ogebe said “We are the defending champions – we are confident and excited. “Now we must keep our feet on the ground because there is still a lot to play for”.
“On a personal level, things are going well for me – but I am just thinking about helping the team to win the Super 4 and the Aiteo Cup.”
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.
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.
Cynthia Aku scored a brace in an effective second half as Nigeria Women Premier League champions, Rivers Angels secured a 3-0 home victory against FC Robo on Wednesday.
The first half saw the both sides struggling to find their foot with Chinaza Uchendu, Cynthia Aku of and last season’s NWFL highest goal scorer, Rafiat Sule, missing chances in front of goal.
In the 32nd minute, Cynthia had just goalkeeper Amole Damilola to beat but blazed her shot wide while five minutes later Chinaza’s header from an Osinachi Ohale’s cross failed to hit the target.
Five minutes before half-time, Sule also missed a sitter as the Jewel of Rivers headed into the dressing room goalless at half-time.
It was, however, a different ball game in the second half as Sule was substituted for Mercy Amanze who was involved in Angels’s first goal as she delivered a sensational cross to Cynthia to break the deadlock in the 67th minute.
Chinaza Uchendu doubled the lead from the spot in the 74th minute after the ball was handled in the box of the FC Robo side
Cynthia Aku then dribbled her way through the FC Robo defence three minutes later and chipped the ball over onrushing Amole to register her brace and seal the victory for the Jewel of Rivers.
Technical Adviser of the defending champions, Edwin Okon during the post-match conference acknowledged that his wards had a difficult first half.
“The first half was difficult for us because of the tempo of the game,” Okon stated. “I would say we played nothing in the first 45 minutes but came out better in the second half. “Knowing of our position on the log before the game, the girls tried as much as they could to prove that they could get the job done” he added.
Rivers Angels next game will be on the road to Abia Angels on April 19.
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
All is now set for the much anticipated finals of the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja on Saturday.
The final between defending Champions Rivers Angels and Nasarawa Amazons will decide the winner of the 2015/2016 NWPL season.
Both sides had met in the semifinal of the women’s Federation Cup in Enugu where Rivers Angels (The Ultimate Club) ran away with a 1-0 win.
Head coach of Nasarawa Amazons, Christopher Danjuma is optimistic he’d get a better result today.
“This is our job and profession, so we try to improve from our previous results.
“So it’s the issue of strategising and making sure everything that is needed to be done is approached properly rather than bothering about any last experience or our opponent,” he said
On the other hand, captain of the defending champions, Charity John has promised to lead the team to a second title this season.
Rivers Angels
The Rivers Angels skipper said the team wants to return home with the title following the promise made by the Executive Governor of the State, Barrister Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike to host the team to another dinner.
“We’ve met them before now in the semifinal and we are about to meet again in the league final.
“We will just go out there to do our best, knowing that the governor made a promise, we want to come back home with the trophy,” she told the club’s media.
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.
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