Eight-time Federation Cup champions, Rivers Angels, arrived in Asaba on Wednesday ahead of their highly anticipated match against Ekiti Queens in the women’s round of 32 fixtures. The two teams, familiar foes, recently faced each other in Match Week 14 of the Nigeria Women’s Premier League, with Ekiti Queens emerging victorious with a 2-0 win.
“This is the FA Cup, and I know we lost 2-0 to them in the league at their home. But this is a different ball game, and we’re coming out fully for Ekiti Queens on Thursday,” Coach Whyte Ogbonda said, emphasizing the team’s determination to succeed.
Coach Ogbonda reiterated that the team’s objective in this year’s President Federation Cup is to go far in the competition and win the trophy. “Rivers Angels always reach the finals of the FA Cup, and this year’s edition won’t be different. Although we narrowly lost to Bayelsa Queens last year, our target is to ensure we lift the trophy and bring it back to Rivers State.”
Coach Ogbonda also praised the leadership of the Nigeria Women’s Football League for adopting the round-robin format for this year’s Super Six.
“I’m satisfied with the round-robin format. Last year, we played an abridged league in the regular season and again in the Super Six, which didn’t go down well with most teams. But this time, playing the round-robin format will determine a truly deserving champion. Whoever wins the league will be a true champion.”
