The Big Games - NWPFL Week 13 Preview

With two games to the end of the 2016/17 Nigeria Women Premier League

(NWPL) season and no dominant team at the helm of the Group B, the chase

for the two slots for Super Four looks likely to go down the wire for a

photo finish.

All the top four clubs have equal opportunity and the vying clubs are

battle ready.

Meanwhile, Group A looks settled with Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens

already confirmed to finish in the top two cadre.

Nasarawa Amazons (22 points) and Delta Queens (22 points) are under

pressure to maintain their positions as Adamawa Queens (20 points) and Osun

Babes (20 points) continue to pile more pressure on both teams. With two

games to go, none of the top four clubs has stuck its neck out clearly for

Super Four and it looks like any of the above clubs can win it considering

the point gap between the top four clubs.

However, all is set for match day 13 to be honored. Almost all the matches

on Wednesday are dicey and it is very difficult to pick the toughest. All

the seven matches are deciders on their own; a slip may cause a club the

top spot and a loss may drop a club into the relegation zone.

Sunshine Queens Vs Rivers Angels

Sunshine Queens’ third position is under siege as they prepare to take on

Group A leaders Rivers Angels at the Akure Township Stadium.

Rivers Angels have 22 points while Sunshine Queens are eight points adrift

the Port Harcourt side.

The Owena Mermaids are yet to lose a home game and nothing shows any of the

clubs have got the antidote against them at home.

It will be a great achievement if Rivers Angels earn a positive result,

considering the fact the Akure isn’t a good hunting ground for them. The

last three games between the two sides at the Akure Township Stadium ended

in favour of Sunshine Queens.

The homers have all the ammunition to help them carry the day but the

visitors can surprise them if they lose concentration and become complacent

in the course of the match.

Heartland Queens Vs Bayelsa Queens

Heartland Queens have a home assignment against Bayelsa Queens at the

Federal Polytechnic Pitch, Nekede. The Owerri side, who are at the foot of

the Group A standings, have been left with no choice than to win all their

remaining matches in order to beat the drop.

The Restoration Girls, who are second on the log with 22 point from 10

games will test the might of the Owerri outfit to see if they can add to

their woes.

It is a must win for Heartland Queens if they still have plans of staying

afloat in the league.

Abia Angels Vs Ibom Angels

Abia Angels have got another chance to keep their chances of survival

intact. They take on Ibom Angels at the Umuahia Township Stadium in a

crunch encounter.

Ibom Angels would be looking forward to end the league campaign in third

place

as well as appease their teeming fans.

The two teams look likely to cancel each other out in the cracker.

Pelican Stars Vs Nasarawa Amazons

Group A leaders, Nasarawa Amazons can firm their grip at the top if they

humble troublesome Pelican Stars at the UJ Esuene Stadium.

The Amazons will seal qualification for Super Four if their rivals Delta

Queens, Adamawa Queens and Osun Babes falters.

Seven-time league champions, Pelican Stars will also like to prove a point

that they are no pushovers. They would give the away side a tough time.

Blessing Edoho, Alex Faith, Aminat Waheed, Moses Pato, Anam Imo, Josephine

Mathias, Amarachi Okoronkwo and Joke Ejalonibu are expected to shine in the

game billed for the UJ Esuene Stadium.

Adamawa Queens Vs Delta Queens

Another cagey encounter of similar fate is the match involving Adamawa

Queens and Delta Queens at the Atiku Abubakar Stadium in Fufore.

Adamawa Queens are in third spot with 20 points with one game in hand while

Delta Queens lie in second position with 22 points.

This means that a win for the Yola team will spell doom for Delta Queens,

who were held to a 1-1 draw by Pelican Stars in a week 12 game in Kwale.

Coach Bello Mohammed should unleash the deadly quartet of Regina Omede,

Wachukwu Oluchi, Doshinma Tarnu and Stella Nwadike upfront as he bids to

claim the three points.

Delta Queens gaffer Clifford Chukwuma will be relying on the experience of

Joy Jegede, Ijeoma Obi, Lilian Cole and Rosemary Okezie for the tough task.

Saadatu Amazons Vs Confluence Queens

Saadatu Amazons and Confluence Queens would lock horns at the College of

Education in Minna.

The Allah Mai Ikoh Girls, who are already preparing for life in the Pro

League will certainly want to give their fans something to cheer by picking

the maximum points at stake.

Confluence Queens won for the first time in the second round at home to Edo

Queens last midweek and winning the match in Minna is crucial as they bid

to end the season on a high.

It will take greater work from Saadatu to gain a point in Minna. The New

Direction Queens look set to enrich themselves with the three available

points.

Osun Babes Vs Edo Queens

Coach Liadi Bashiru will be leading Osun Babes against Edo Queens in

Oshogbo. Laidi has already declared the game a must-win as the final two

matches leave him with no room for mistakes.

Following the slim 1-0 loss to Confluence Queens in Lokoja, Edo Queens who

won the reverse fixture 1-0 thanks to Regina Otu’s spot kick will hopefully

think of completing a double over Osun Babes.

But Osun Babes have different ideas. It is a must win for the Omoluabi

Queens to enhance their Super Four hopes. If they are defeated by the Benin

City Girls the battle would virtually be over for them.

It will however be a surprise to many if Osun Babes surrenders to Edo

Queens at the Oshogbo Township Stadium.

Week 13 Fixtures:

Date: Wednesday 26th July, 2017

Group A

Sunshine Queens Vs Rivers Angels

Heartland Queens Vs Bayelsa Queens

Abia Angels Vs Ibom Angels

Group B

Pelican Stars Vs Nasarawa Amazons

Osun Babes Vs Edo Queens

Saadatu Amazon Vs Confluence Queens

Adamawa Queens Vs Delta Queens