NWFL Premiership: Week 1 Review: Edo Queens And Delta Queens Dominate While Nasarawa Amazons, Ibom Angels Fail To Win At Home.

 

The 2021 NWFL Premiership got underway on wednesday with the match-day one fixtures played across seven centres in the country which created some thrilling moments in the Nigeria Women Football top-tier. 

The first match of the new season recorded 19 goals, two away victories, a draw and four home wins. 

Nasarawa Amazons 0 FC Robo 1

Nasarawa Amazons on Wednesday lost their second consecutive league opener at home. In 2019, the "Solid Babes"  lost their first game at home to Bayelsa Queens with Anjor Mary scoring a brace in that encounter. 

The home team created alot of goal scoring chances in the first half, but failed to convert them, however they were punished in the 32nd minute through FC Robo's young forward Shobowale Rukayat. 

Ibom Angels 0 Osun Babes 1

Osun Babes started the season in an impressive fashion with a win at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. The opening half hour left much to be desired as both teams struggled to make strings of successful passes, but Osun Babes woke up after the mark. Yetunde Fajobi sent in a low cross  that was met by Yemisi Samuel and the forward wasted no time in converting coolly to give the Omoluabi Queens an away victory. 

Bayelsa Queens 2 Sunshine Queens 1

Bayelsa Queens Captain Joy Jerry started the season with aplomb as she led the Restoration Ladies to a 2-1 win over strong opponent Sunshine Queens FC. 

Precious Vincent who just joined from Sunshine Queens scored the second goal in the 27th minute, while Seun Fakunle reduced the deficit in the 41st minute.

Edo Queens 4 Royal Queens 1

Edo Queens enjoyed total control over their opponents from the blast of the whistle. It was a comfortable win for the Rollandson Odeh girls as they romped over their neighbours Royal Queens by 4-1. Tessy Biahwo scored twice for the "Obaseki Girls" while Taibat Odueke also got her name on the scoring list. 

Confluence Queens 1 Rivers Angels 1

The hosts played a good game, regularly threatening Ibubeleye Whyte in the first ten minutes of the game and got rewarded in the 7th minute through Glory Edet, but Regina Otu got Rivers Angels levelled in the 14th minute to make it 1-1.

Abia Angels 2 Pelican Stars 0

Abia Angels played an impressive attacking game against Pelican Stars at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Wednesday evening. Margeret Ademulegun's sublime free-kick in the 15th minute handed the 'Angels from the East' a lead before Jane Abraham doubled in the 47th minute to give the host a 2-0 victory over the Ayade Ladies. 

Delta Queens 4 DreamStar Ladies 1

Delta Queens started off the 2021 campaign with a big win over Lagos based team DreamStar Ladies in Agbor. Former Jokodolu Babes forward Dominance Odubanjo scored a brace, while Iyasere Gift and Agbonu Aghogho netted to make it four, before Bankole Sofiat scored a consolation goal in the 77th minute.

Otunba Isiaka Adeleke Memorial Football Championship: Ofatedo United Begin On Winning Note.

 

Ofatedo United made the ideal start to the Otunba Isiaka Adeleke Memorial Football Championship by seeing off Awo United in the opening game of the Football tournament hosted in honour of the late political icon and first civilian Governor of Osun State, Otunba Isiaka Adeleke.

Jelili Muritala scored the only goal of the game after receiving a close pass from Asimiyu Ayomide in the 73rd minute of the pulsating encounter. 

The competition which is sponsored by Rep Bamidele Salam, the Federal House of Representatives Member representing the good people of Ede South/North/Egbedore and Ejigbo constituency, got off to a spectacular start with a welcome speech by the sponsor Hon. Bamidele Salam who described the late senator as someone who rendered selfless services to his people and never left them for once. 

"Today we celebrate a man who has a heart of gold and his dreams and aspiration of selfless service to humanity remains undying, but rather blossomed even after his death. 

In her opening remarks, the special guest of honour, Yeye Dupe Adeleke-Sanni thanked the sponsor of the tournament , Hon. Bamidele Salam for honouring her late brother and stated that each passing day keeps him evergreen in the minds of his teeming admirers across the world, as he did alot of philanthropic gestures while still alive.

Ofatedo United were the better side from the blast of the whistle, putting a number of efforts wide off goal and managed to get two shots on target before the interval. 

Just as Awo United were enjoying their best spell in the second half, Ofatedo United took the lead through Muritala. A neat one-two allowed Asimiyu Ayomide to break into the Awo United box before cutting inside his marker and putting Jelili Muritala in a good position to slot in.

The win puts Ofatedo United top of the Egbedore Centre, which includes Ido-Osun Warriors, Ultimate Warriors from Iragberi and Awo United F.C. 

Other centres are the Ede Centre which will play host to Fidelity Soccer Agency, Dynasty FC, Ede, Adiatu Adebayo FC, Akogun FC, Ede Eyiowuawi FC and GFCC Ede North FC. 

Ejigbo Centre includes, Ifesowapo FC, Ejigbo United, Tanjo Surprise FC and Temidire FC.

Ofatedo Starting XI: 

Adefioye Olaoba| Akintayo Matthew| Oladunjoye Ishola| Oparinde Kehinde|Adekeye Joshua| Sanusi Hammed| Jelili Muritala| Jerry Jerry| Gaffaru Onifade| Asimiyu Ayomide| Adeshina Ademola

Awo United Starting XI:

Olawuyi Ayuba

|Babatunde Joseph| Oyekanmi Wasiu|Williams Tefa| Olarenwaju Victor| Vitalis Daniel| Adeshina Tosin| Adedokun Ademola| Ogbu Sunday| Vitalis Tunde| Moses Daniel

Otunba Isiaka Adeleke Memorial Football Championship Kicks Off On Sunday

 

The first edition of the Otunba Isiaka Adeleke Memorial Football Championship will officially commence on Sunday at the Community High School, Ido-Osun from 4pm. 

The tournament which is sponsored by Hon. Bamidele Salam, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Ede North/South/Egbedore/Ejigbo constituency as a mark of tribute to the first executive Governor of Osun State, the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke.

According to an official release from the organisers, 16 teams across Ede, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal constituency will participate in the competition with Awo United and Ofatedo United playing the opening match this Sunday by 4pm.

On his own part, the initiator of the Championship, Barrister Bamidele Salam disclosed that the championship is a key part of the BS-E4 initiative which was launched about a year ago. 

" The competition is dedicated in honour of Otunba Isiaka Adeleke, who was the first executive Governor of Osun State. He was known to be honest, transparent, selfless and contributed immensely to the growth and development of Osun State and Nigeria as a whole. 

"Apart from remembering the legacies of Otunba Isiaka Adeleke, the competition which will involve 16 teams in our constituency will bring up various soccer opportunities for talented young footballers across the state.

The opening ceremony of the competition will start by 3pm, while official kick off is 4pm, special guest of honour is Yeye Dupe Adeleke-Sanni.

Osogbo Agog As Okocha, Mutiu Adepoju 10 Other Ex- Internationals Celebrate Oyetola With A Football Match Tomorrow

 

Celebrations of the 2nd anniversary of Governor Gboyega Oyetola in office continue tomorrow with a novelty match between Osun Cabinet members and Osun Parliament, a repeat of last year's match where the lawmakers' triumphed.

Several ex- internationals include Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Mutiu Adepoju, Bright Omokaro, Duke Udi, Ike Shorunmu,  Dimeji Lawal, Friday Ekpo, Femi Opabunmi and a host of other soccer legends will feature in the match which holds at the Osogbo Township stadium. 

Speaking about the match, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Yemi Lawal, who is expected to lead executive attack stated that the event will begin 2pm with an explosive match between the State's Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Works after which the Executives will slug it out against the Legislatures.

"Nothing is too much to celebrate His Excellency, Governor Gboyega Oyetola as his giant strides speak volume. This is why the notable and famous ex-internationals are around to be part of the match between the legislative and Executive arms of Government.

"Everybody is expected to come and witness the artistic displays by soccer legends and technocrats who are already in town," concluded the Sports Commissioner.

Meanwhile, there will be a flag-off of a Sports Academy at Ile-Ogbo, Ola Oluwa Local Government in the morning by Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

Dignitaries expected at the Osogbo Township stadium, venue of the novelty match, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development include the Governor, State of Osun, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi, APC Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun, Chief of Staff and his Deputy, Secretary to the State Government among others while the Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Right Hon. Timothy Owoeye is expected to lead lawmakers to the event.

David Okoromi- The Prodigy that made Gold Cup possible for ABS FC.

 

By Yemi Sodeeq

There were many takeaways from the just concluded Ogunjobi Gold Cup but one can't just forget the impact of a young but rugged player called David Okoromi of ABS Ilorin FC.

After a quite not encouraging start by ABS, the team came back to thier feet in the second game against Gombe United as they won 2-1 with Okoromi causing a penalty for Mubarak Gata to slot in their first goal and he scoring the second to keep the hope alive - thus the beginning of their impressive run.

The 3 points secured in the second game actually inspired the Saraki boys into a resounding 2-0 victory over FC Ebedei in their last group game when Samuel Oyedeji hit a masterclass free kick to open the scoreline and Okoromi yet again capped it all for his side with another cool header- what is then the definition of consistency? 

After the group stage games, his strategic positioning couped with his eagerness to always 'factored' in his team victory helped him in scoring three decisive goals in the semi-final and the final of the tourney.

He tormented Gombe United and drove their defence weak point with his brace in the final as he found the back of the net in the 56th and 60th minutes of the game. The Savannah scorpion couldn't recover from his damage and went on to lose the earlier secured advantage.

Fond of causing menace and  genuine threats to the defence of the opponent ,no doubt, the former Golden Eaglets invitee has got all it takes to become a force to reckon with in the season on the horizon.

Another hallmark worth to note is that David scored three of his goals from the competition's most valuable player Samuel Oyedeji's assist. For Samuel is another complete story of influence and leadership in the team.

One could also added that he is a manifestation of his club youth system that has always provide opportunities for young players to thrive in a record time.

As the highest goal scorer of the Gold cup tourney, he scored 5  of his club total 10 goals in the competition with a whole of his individual effort rendering the coast clear. Coach Anthony Encho might just need to apply all his tactics around the young lad whose energy and zeal look different from his age.

With his ability to play wide and deep,David can be trusted to hit the button anytime and anywhere in front of the goal. And if drought persists,he can always break the deadlock or perhaps play integral role to get one.

He is just an answer to some clubs problem. Why shouldn't some big teams in the tournament which had bitter experience of cutting edge secure the service of a player like him before he bears the thought of going elsewhere because he has been receiving invitation for trials in Europe.