NWFL: Heartland Queens' first win of the season and 5 other things learned in Week 6 

By Olusola Adebayo 

It is a week of numerous first of the season in the six weeks old Nigeria Women's Football League, Premiership as Heartland Queens finally won their first win of the 2022/2023 season after week 6 of the Nigeria Women's Football League, NWFL. 

www.234sportsng.com takes a look at highlights and lessons learned in the week 6 matches played across the country on Wednesday, 11 January 2023. 

Heartland records their first win  

The Imo-based team snatched all three points at stake against Royal Queens of Warri in the match played at the Warri Township stadium.

The only goal of the was scored by Orji Chinwendu in the 40th minute to ensure the Queens returns to Imo with all the points at stake.

 

The newly promoted side has been knocking on the door of victory hard as they, had held Bayelsa Queens, and Rivers Angels two powerhouses in the league to surprise barren draws in earlier weeks in the league. 

The valuable points send Heartland Queens out of the relegation zone in group A, with 5 points after 5 games leaped frog Osun Babes in 6th and leaving Royal Queens rooted at the bottom of the 7-team table. 

Delta Queen's perfect calabash broken 

The week saw Delta Queens' perfect start to the season end as they were held to a barren draw by Rivers Angels at the main bowl of the University of Portharcourt.  

The Queens from Delta still hold their unbeaten run to the season intact, this draw with four victories on the bounce, and takes their season points to haul to 13 after five matches still dictating the pace at the top of the log in Group A.

 

Bayelsa Queens' defense breached for the first time this season 

Another first recorded in the week took place in Abuja at the FIFA goal project where the defending champion, Bayelsa Queens conceded their first goal of the season after keeping four consecutive clean sheets. 

Agama Ziperekefeghe won the honor of being the first player to breach the prosperity girls net as she fired an equalizer in the 73rd minute to cancel Sunday Juliet's 17th-minute opener for Bayelsa Queens as both sides settles for a share of the spoils. 

Adamawa Queens kept it late  

Adamawa Queens kept it in their encounter against Nasarawa Amazons as the game drags to a 0-0 boring ending with the Amazons destined to snatch away a point but Ijeoma Obi’s 88th-minute strike from the spot handed the hosts the lone goal that decided the match. 

The three points took Adamawa Queens to 9 points staying in second, 3 points behind Edo Queens, leaving Nasarawa Amazons in their wake in third position. 

Zainab Brace nail Robo 

Two second-half goals from Zainab Azeez in the  74th and 80th minute respectively helped Confluence Queens claim all three points at stake condemning Robo Queens to their third loss of the season. 

Folashade Ijamilusi had raised the Lagos-based hope by giving them the lead in the 55th minute but it wasn't enough as they left Lafia empty-handed. 

The struggle of the Lagos-based team continues as they only managed 4 points all season, coming from a victory and a draw.  

The poor form has kept them a point above Ibom Angels in group B at the bottom of the log.  

Abia Angels shock Edo Queens 

Abia Angels beat Edo Queens by 1-0 at the Samuel Ognemudia Stadium in Benin just a day after Edo Queens unveil their kits for the new season in an elaborate ceremony. 

The solitary goal ended Edo Queen's winning streak of four consecutive matches after they lost their opening game against Nasarawa Amazons, they went on to win their next four goals without conceding any goal.

The unexpected result catapulted Abia Angels to second on the log, on points 10 points, two behind Edo Queens on top of the log in group B.