RIVERS ANGELS WIN 10TH FEDERATION CUP IN DRAMATIC COMEBACK

By: Gyang Dakwo

Rivers Angels have once again asserted their dominance in women’s football after beating Nasarawa Amazons 4-2 on penalties to retain the President Federation Cup at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

The final ended 2-2 after regulation time, and both sides gave fans a thrilling show that lived up to the occasion. Rivers Angels, the most successful club in the competition’s history, held their nerve in the shootout to lift the trophy for a record-extending 10th time.

Nasarawa Amazons, led by Nigeria U20 coach Christopher Musa Danjuma, started the stronger of the two sides and shocked the champions with two quick goals. Odushola Shobowale opened the scoring just six minutes in after the Rivers Angels goalkeeper dropped the ball into her path. The striker then doubled the lead in the 16th minute with a powerful volley that clipped the crossbar on its way in.

The Port Harcourt-based team, however, came back stronger after the break. Taiwo Ajibade began the fightback 10 minutes into the second half when she finished off a clever freekick by Polinus Ifeoma. Soon after, in the 62nd minute, Taiwo Afolabi found space and calmly slotted in the equaliser, completing the comeback and setting up an exciting finish.

Both sides had chances to win the game in the closing stages, but it remained level and went to penalties.

In the shootout, Nasarawa Amazons missed their first and third kicks while Rivers Angels were more composed. Ifeoma Ikenokwalu, Catherine Kenneth, Tejiri Edward, and Anderline Mgbech all scored to seal the win.

The victory keeps Rivers Angels at the top as the most successful team in Federation Cup history, while it was another heartbreak for Nasarawa Amazons, who had earlier lost the league title to Bayelsa Queens on the final day of the Super 6.