Prosperity Cup Women’s defending Champions, Niger Delta University Queens, have been ousted from Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football showpiece.
In a keenly contested match at the BDGS battleground, the high-scoring Ezuogha Queens defeated the defending champions, NDU Queens, by a lone goal to progress to the next round of the competition.
Ezougha, which scored eight goals in their opening fixture against Diamond Stars, had to dig deep to find the back of their opponents’ net in the 67th minute through Numulayefa Princess.
In the second match of the day at the same venue, Stardom Life Sports Academy of Ogboloma pipped Seaside Academy of Ovom by a lone goal. Paul Favour’s goal on 37 minutes was all the Ogboloma-based team needed to advance to the next round of the tournament.
The Kpansia arena will take centre stage on Wednesday, when Jerry Queens FC of Ogbia confronts Afini Ladies of Yenagoa at 3.00 p.m., while Crystal Stars will keep a date with Global Queens by 4.30 p.m.
Action continues on Thursday at the same venue with Akeddei Queens from Sagbama LGA taking on Bayelsa State College of Nursing Sciences, BYSCON Queens, by 3.00 p.m. while Niger Delta Queens trade hard tackles with Golden Sun Sports Club of Yenagoa at 4.30 p.m.
Speaking about Tuesday’s game, victorious coach of Stardom Life Sports Academy, Inemotimi Kofi, said both sides gave their best, pointing out that his team would have done better if not for some players who missed the match because of examination commitments.
According to him, he knew the game was going to be tough for his team, stating that they had been in close camping preparing for the competition, which gave his team a slight advantage.
He, however, expressed the hope that his full squad will be available for their next tie.
Also speaking, head coach of Seaside Academy, Awusa Anthony, said in addition to the cheap goal his players conceded, which demoralised them, his team’s wastefulness in front of goal was one of their greatest undoing. He said they would go back to the drawing board, correct their mistakes and come back stronger next season
