Osun Babes FC pulled off another magnificent performance at the Akure Township Stadium to maintain their unbeaten run so far in preparation for the 2016/2017 Nigeria Women Premier League.
Having played 1-1 draws with Jokotolu Babes FC, Kwara Ladies and FC Robo in pre season games in Osogbo, Ilorin and Lagos respectively before finally beating Jagunmolu Queens yesterday by 4-1. The Omoluabi Queens took the same mentality to Akure to face the 2015 federation cup champions and it really paid off.
The home team were in imperious form in the first half allowing the Omoluabi Queens only three passes in the final third! The visitors weathered wave after wave of the Owena Mermaids attacks and somehow managed to keep them away from scoring an early goal. Onyebuchi Goodness, Gladys Abasi were running the midfield with Abasi winning most of the ball possession and giving Racheal Akpojotor and Abiodun Kemi difficult times in the midfield.
The first goal of the game came in from a free kick after Akpojotor brought down Patricia Innocent just at the edge of the 18 yard box and Super Falcons midfielder Gladys Abasi took the onus and played a lowly curled free kick that was widely deflected by Goodness Onyebuchi to give the Mermaids a well deserved lead.
The scoreline however did not reflect the full extent of Sunshine Queens domination as the Omoluabi Queens came up stronger in the game, searching for an equaliser. Edewor Precious got the first clear chance of the game for the visitors in the 26th minutes as she pulled out a trigger that got Johnson napping in goal for Sunshine Queens.
Inform winger Kesiena Ojiyovwi stepped up again for Osun Babes FC late in the first half of the game to cancel out Iheoma’s goal as she bravely took advantage of a loose ball by the defense line of sunshine Queens to lob the ball past an experienced Johnson to make it 1-1 for Osun Babes before the end of the first half.
As expected, the Omoluabi Queens were better in the second half but didn’t create any clear cut chances until the 54th minutes when captain Elijah Esther threw in a long pass for Edewor Precious who dribbled past Zirike Elizabeth and gave another pass to Kessiena who played a weak shot that didn’t give Johnson any pressure.
The hosts invited their southwest rival to attack them more but looked fully in control of the game. Their only regrets will be they did not make the scoreline more emphatic from the chances they created with credit going to Christy Obia for some wonderful saves to keep the game levelled.
Sunshine Queens were focused and played with determination but couldn’t really press in for a second goal. The hosts could have been up in the 73rd minutes when Patricia Innocent and Funsho Ogunrinola combined on the right side with the latter sending in a cross from the edge of the box which flew past everyone straight into the path of Aluko who ghosted in at the far post from the second wave completely unnoticed. She controlled the bouncing ball with her first touch and with her second sent a left footed half volley over the bar from the six yard box.
The Omoluabi Queens centre backs Elijah and Iloduba were having difficult times coping with the pressure from the Mermaids and On the 78th minutes, Osun Babes showed one of their best combinations when they got the ball from the corner flag all the way to the six yard box through some one touch and two touch football from Edewor, kessiena, Rejoice. Aiyenirun only just managed to clear for a corner just as Anthony was about to pull the trigger.
In the 83rd Zirike did what she does ever so well and halted another counter attack from Osun Babes lead by Ossai Esther before she could get past the halfway line, the ball fell to Aluko and within a second it was travelling down the other way of the pitch towards the Omoluabi defense. Aluko passed the ball to juliet who sent three defenders the wrong way with one touch and finished poorly.
The game however ended in 1-1 draw as both sides couldn’t raise their games to get a winner. The game however proved to be a worthy test for both Sunshine Queens and Osun Babes FC, as they prepare for their NWPL league opener against Ibom Angels and Nassarawa Amazons respectively.
