NWFL MD7 Preview: Queens’ duel, Heartland, Adamawa set for superiority matchup
As NWFL Premiership matchday 7 fixtures hot up in all the venues, upscale and leaders, Heartland Queens will be bracing up for fierce and fistful battle against hosts, Adamawa Queens at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.
Bookmakers are already bemused at the possible outcome of the evenly matched encounter given the existing football rivalry between the premier leaguers.
Of course, both sides will be meeting each other for the first time ever in the topflight on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.
The only time the sides have met in any competition was the 2020/2021 NWFL Championship promotion playoffs in the FCT, Abuja which ended goalless on that auspicious occasion.
The aching result saw the Owerri mainstreams missed the cuts for promotion to the elite league while the barren draw was good enough to see Adamawa Queens and Naija Ratels claim the promotion tickets on that glorious day.
Going into the first post festive holidays superiority matchup, the sides experienced mixed fortunes in the end of the year football actions. While the Owerri landladies enjoyed a 2-1 emphatic victory against hard-fighters, Dannaz Ladies in Owerri the wayfarers from Yola were piped 0-1 at Royal Queens in Sapele.
Although the Owerri side will be without the services of her two key players in the persons of conjurewoman, Mary Lucky and hard-as-nail defender, Onyedikachi Ekezie who are currently with the national team, the sweat merchant of the Owerri topflight, Obi Ogbala knows that he must conjure a fleet-footed lineup that will produce the right result which will keep his side at the top of the group’s log going into the end of the first term.
In the inevitable absence of the duo due to the demand of national assignments, coach Ogbala is sure to hand the point woman role to the strong built and bullish attacker, Chinedu Chinaka to go in chase for the crucial goals to be assisted by the sleeks and sharpshooters, Chimebere Opara, Onyinyechi Kalu and Chinwendu Orji.
High performer and effective netminder, Uchenna Chukwu is sure to keep her gloves while leakproof coverage will come from hard-as-nails defenders, Kelechi Orgii, Chinyere Iheoma, and returnee captain, Ekaette Akpata.
Midfield suspects, Oluchi Okwara, Oluchi Ofoegbu, Chidinma Anaele and two-time capper, Marvellous Duru will keep their shirts.
Heartland Queens lead the eight-team Group A log on princessly 11 points same as closest challengers, Nasarawa Amazons and Confluence Queens on superior goals.
The NWFL Premiership matchday 7 will bring to an end the first stanza of the ongoing topflight season.
Heartland Queens Media
