Heartland Queens delivered a commanding performance to thrash Nazareth Queens 6-0 in their second group stage match of the ongoing Shereos Cup, held at the FIFA Goal Project turf in Abuja.
The match, one-sided from the outset, saw Heartland’s relentless attack overwhelm their opponents, while standout performances from captain Chimebere Opara and midfielder Faith Samson ensured a memorable victory.
The Queens from Heartland wasted no time asserting their dominance, with the majority of play confined to Nazareth’s half. Midfield maestro Faith Samson broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, expertly heading in a set-piece delivery to give her side an early lead. The pressure continued to mount as Nazareth’s defense struggled to contain the relentless Heartland attack. By the 20th minute, captain Chimebere Opara doubled the lead with a composed finish, and she was far from done. In the 36th minute, Opara capitalized on another defensive lapse to complete her brace and give Heartland a comfortable 3-0 advantage at halftime.
The second half resumed in similar fashion, with Heartland dictating the tempo and showing no signs of easing off. Emmanuella James joined the scoring spree in the 50th minute, firing home the fourth goal with precision. Nazareth Queens, unable to cope with the onslaught, saw their slim hopes of a comeback vanish when Chimebere Opara completed her hat trick in the 65th minute. The prolific captain’s third goal of the match solidified her claim as the standout player of the encounter.
Substitutions by coach Obi Ogbala in the 67th minute introduced fresh legs, with Monica Matthew, Onyinyechi Kalu, and Prisca Nwachukwu coming on to maintain the tempo. Despite the changes, the Heartland Queens’ dominance remained intact. Faith Samson, who opened the scoring, capped off a stellar performance with a sensational volley from midfield in the 82nd minute, sealing the emphatic 6-0 triumph.
With this win, Heartland Queens climb to four points from two games and are well-positioned to push for further success in their upcoming fixtures. Meanwhile, the Nazareth Queens remain rooted at the bottom of the table with no points and significant improvements needed. Captain Chimebere Opara, whose hat trick and leadership were pivotal, was deservedly named Woman of the Match. This statement victory sets Heartland Queens up as strong contenders for the title, with their attacking flair and defensive solidity sending a clear warning to their rivals.
English 
French