Bayelsa Queens Football Club were held to a 1-1 draw by Abia Angels in matchday one of the Nigeria Women Football League Super Six at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port-Harcourt.
Bayelsa Queens approached the game with confidence showing greater organisation and defensive discipline and thought they have taken the lead in the 16th minute through Chiamaka Ezekwugo’s header, only for the referee to rule it for off-side.
Bayelsa Queens the defending champions, showed urgency and sharpness but missed chances in the final third to end the first half goalless.
Bayelsa Queens wanted the early goal in the resumption of the second half which they got and after 56 minutes with a chidi Harmony’s header.
The celebration has not died down when referee Rashidat Abdulganiyu adjudged Chiamaka Ezekwugo to have fouled an Abia Angels player and awarded a penalty which Abdulrasheed Marian scored in the 58th minute.
The Prosperity Girls tried all they could, mounting pressure on Abia Angels, but could not add another goal to end the game one goal apiece.
After the match, Technical Adviser Bayelsa Queens Whyte Ogbonda said he praise the performance of his girls.
‘My girls did well today and you know as defending Champions of the league it comes with lots of pressure, but I must give credit to my girls for their good showing’, Whyte said.
‘All hope is not lost we still have four matches to play and I know the team i have. The players have resolved to put this game behind them and focus on the nest match, so there is still hope’, Whyte Ogbonda added.
Next game for Bayelsa Queens FC is against Nasarawa Amazons on Monday by 2 O’clock in the afternoon.
