Title holders, Bayelsa Queens pipped 2020/2021 champions, Rivers Angels 1-0 in the last Group A match of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership Super Six on Friday.

The Prosperity Girls needed a win to make it to the final after a 1-0 win over FC Robo Queens as Jewel of Rivers had to avoid a loss.

The defending champions started the match on an impressive note as a foul on Sabastine Flourish in the box resulted in a penalty.

Glory Edet in the third minute converted the resulting spot kick to give Domo Okara’s side the lead.

Bayelsa Queens had other chances to double its lead but couldn’t convert before Rivers Angels recovered and started pilling up pressures on the opponents’ defense.

Adaobi Okah had a gilt-edge chance of equalizing before the end of the first half but couldn’t score from an open net.

The Port Harcourt-based side continues to pile more pressure on the Yenegoa-based side in the second half.

Substitute, Hassan Suliat thought she had equalized with the last kick of the game but the assistant referee flagged the goal for offside as the league holders held on for a win and a chance to defend its title.

Domo Okara’s side will wait to confirm their opponents in the final from the winner of either Delta Queens or Edo Queens on Sunday.

WHAT THEY SAID
Bayelsa Queens Technical Adviser, Domo Okara:”The match was a tough one which showed that the standard of Nigeria women’s football is high compared to before because there is a ticket now. Every team that came for the Super Six are potential champion. It’s just that one goal but I am happy that my team won. The officiating has been fair. The referees are human beings as well and can make mistakes. So far, I rate them 80%. I am happy that my team won. This win is a morale booster for us ahead of the Federation Cup final next week against Rivers Angels. We have won them twice and this is the third time. For the final, I will come out with full force to win. In this kind of game, all coaches are under pressure to win. We are under pressure and not sure of what will happen. I want to take positive that we would do our best to win.”

Rivers Angels coach, Edwin Okon:”It’s more annoying because it’s not easy building a team. We lost about nine players and came out with players to stand this type of heat. To the league board, if we must grow we should look for sponsors that will sponsor the league. We should be able to run the league the way the men’s league is being run.”