Following the disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Adamawa Queens in the week four encounter of the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL), Osun Babes FC will now turn their attention to the showdown against their counterpart from the Bini-Kingdom, Edo Queens on thursday evening at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
The Obaseki girls are just a point clear of the Omoluabi Queens and are still basking in the euphoria of a sweet 3-1 victory over Confluence Queens last midweek. The game seem to be important for both clubs, as victory for any of the sides will see them climbing up the group B table of the Nigeria Women Premier League.
In their last match at home, the Omoluabi Queens were left hugely frustrated after being held to a goalless draw by the Bindo Jibrilla ladies when the sides met at the Osogbo City Stadium, Osun Babes dominated throughout and struck the woodwork six times through Sarah Iloduba, Seun Atanda, Edewor Precious and Kemi Abiodun. While former Omoluabi goalkeeper Nkiruka Obindinma produced an outstanding display in Adamawa Queen’s to earn her team a very valuable point away from home.
Osun Babes will be hoping to get their first point away from home in this campaign and having picked a point last season on the same ground, they will keep on hoping for the best.
In his pre-game press conference, Osun Babes boss Liadi Bashiru said that the game is an important one and they have to get something out of it.
” Our objective is to continue working hard until we get it right. We are facing a very strong team and we expect to be stronger than ever. We have to keep pushing harder and believing in ourselves. He told the club’s media team.
He continued by emphasising the need for his team to stay focused during the 90 minutes duration.
” We are playing against a team that just won comfortably at home in their last game and we will need to start the game strongly and give our all.
DATE: Thursday, 27th OF April 2017.
VENUE: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
KICK OFF: 4PM
TEAM NEWS:
* Liadi Bashiru will make some changes in the attack line of the Omoluabi Queens in thursday’s encounter.
* Coach Kenneth Aigbe should stick to the same squad that slew Confluence Queens. As they say, ” you don’t change a winning team”
* Experienced Defender Bunmi Kayode should start for Edo Queens in this encounter after shaking off from a knock.
* Sarah Iloduba is said to play from her normal position, which is the centre back position in this encounter.
* Flamingos Goalie Christy Obia may likely continue to be in goal and Linda Jiwiakwu will deputise her.
FACTS AND FIGURES:
* Osun Babes have not picked a point away from home this season. They will be hoping to do that in Benin.
* Osun Babes have conceded five (5) goals this season, while Edo Queens have conceded just four (4) this term.
* in the last four (4) meetings between these two sides, Osun Babes have one three (2) and lost once(1), and drew once (1)
* Edo Queens have won one (1) game this season against Confluence Queens, drew twice (2) to Adamawa Queens and Delta Queens and lost to Nasarawa Amazons.
* Osun Babes have won just once, at home to Pelican Stars and lost two (2) away games to both Nasarawa Amazons and Confluence Queens respectively and drew to Adamawa Queens.
RECENT MEETINGS:
2013/2014 (NWPL) :
EDE: Osun Babes 2 Edo Queens 0
BENIN: Edo Queens 1 Osun Babes 0
2015/2016 (NWPL)
Osogbo: Osun Babes 1 Edo Queens 0
Benin: Edo Queens 1 Vs Osun Babes 1
* RECENT FORM:(Last 7 games: Last Season)
OSUN BABES FC: WWLDDWLD
EDO QUEENS: LWLWDDLW
REFEREE: Christiana Adeyemi (Ondo)
DISCIPLINE THIS SEASON (OSUN BABES) : Y4 R0
JERSEY COLOUR:
OSUN BABES (AWAY) : Green, Black and Red
EDO QUEENS (Home) : Blue and White.
PLAYERS TO WATCH (OSUN BABES): Ikoyo Rejoice, Ilodubah Sarah, Esther Elijah, Edewor Precious.
PLAYERS TO WATCH (EDO QUEENS) : Vivian Nkem Uwandi, Amanze Omo-Idiaghe, Bunmi Kayode.
* TOP SCORERS (OSUN BABES)
Anthony Esther (1) , Edewor Precious (1)
* TOP SCORERS (EDO QUEENS)
Vivian Nkem Uwandi (2)
