Heartland Queens will rekindle her domestic rivalry against topflight giants, FC Robo Queens in Wednesday’s President Federation Cup round of 16 clash at the mainbowl of Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta state.
The only time the premier leaguers have met in competitive and non-competitive game was the group’s clash at the immediate past edition of the biggest preseason football showpiece, Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament (BOWFT) in Benin City, Edo state where the Owerri mainstreams fell 1-3 to the then BOWFT title holders and Lagos-based side.
Coming on the heels of the just concluded NWFL Super Six playoffs in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, the coach Obi Ogbala tutored side will hope to cash in on her heartwarming and standout performance at the privileged showpiece to upset the topflights from the nation’s commercial hubs and ink a premium quarterfinals in the oldest and glamorous Cup competition in the land. The Owerri side best performance in the yearly football fiesta was the quarterfinals feat in the 2022 edition of the game. The Owerri landladies were edged out on the occasion by the reigning Nigerian champions, Delta Queens.
Coach Ogbala will most likely unleash an unchanged standouts in the Super Six playoffs against the Lagos-based side and expectedly, he will hand the lead attack role to the side’s talisman and 2024 Super Six mesmeriser, Mary Lucky with equally potent aid coming from on-the-field captain Chimebere Opara, Onyinyechi Kalu, super sub and Super Six two decisive goal heroine, Emmanuella James. Hopes are high that the Owerri mainstreams’ top scorer and bullish attacker, Chinedu Chinaka may return on time to the starting role after she picked a waist knocks against the eventual Super Six champions, Edo Queens while the rearguards will see hard-as-nails defenders, Onyedikachi Ekezie, Chinyere Iheoma, Kelechi Orgii, Oluomachi Onwere and Nnenna Williams as usual providing adequate covers for the unarguably one of the best netminders in the domestic scene, Uchenna Chukwu. Accurate and tailor made passes options will come from Oluchi Okwara, Oluchi Ofoegbu, Chidinma Anaele and youngster Nwabueze Charles.
A win for the Owerri side will come through as a sweet revenge of the 2023 BOWFT group’s game loss to the Lagos-based side and a passage to the last eight of this year’s President Federation Cup.
CC: Heartland Queens Media
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