President Federation Cup: Ogbonda talks up Rivers Angels' chances against Edo Queens

 

Rivers Angels are gearing up for a crucial showdown as they prepare to face Edo Queens in the round of 16 President Federation Cup. 

Coach Whyte Ogbonda, determined to turn the tide following the inability of his side to win the league title, expressed confidence in his team's readiness to secure a victory against Edo Queens on Wednesday.

"Our preparations have been meticulous, both players and technical staff are primed for the challenge ahead. We're fully prepared to take on Edo Queens and secure a win," remarked Ogbonda.

Despite a recent setback of not winning the league, Ogbonda apologized and reassured that the team has put behind them the setback and promised to make it up to the good people of Rivers State.

 "We are disappointed that we couldn't lift the trophy for the fans and good people of Rivers State, we know how they trusted us to bring the trophy back, but it didn't happen. We tried our best, but our best wasn't good enough. We want to apologize to the fans and the owners of the team for our inability to win the league title."

Captain Catherine Kenneth echoed Ogbonda's sentiments, expressing the entire team's disappointment for not winning the league title but assured their readiness to win the President Federation Cup.

 "We were not happy losing the league title, considering we got so close. It was in our hands, but it slipped from us. As a team, we are not happy because the government of Rivers State has supported us thus far, and we wanted to win the trophy to pay them back, but we couldn't. 

I want to apologize on behalf of my girls, and we say, please bear with us; we plead for your support in the Federation Cup; don't give up on us."

Striker Alvine Dah-Zossu highlighted that, though the team failed to win the league title after their hard work, they have put behind them the pains and disappointment to focus on the Federation Cup. 

"We were all disappointed because we wanted to win the trophy; we really worked hard to get the trophy, but it was quite unfortunate that we didn't win it. We have been able to put behind us the setback; we had a meeting with our officials, and we were made to understand that it's either we win or we learn. So, we have learnt from our mistakes during the Super Six, and we are ready to correct them when we face Edo Queens on Wednesday."

The Jewels of Rivers have met Edo Queens thrice this season, winning twice and losing one.

NWFL: Ifeoma, Whyte sure of Rivers Angels' win over Bayelsa Queens

 

Rivers Angels Football Club will on Wednesday lock horns with their perennial rivals, Bayelsa Queens in Port Harcourt. 

The Jewel of Rivers, who currently lead Group B standing, with 24 points, two points above the Restoration Ladies will be hoping to maintain the lead after this mid-week encounter which automatically seals the team's ticket to the Super Six finals.

A win over the Restoration Girls will ensure the Jewel Of Rivers go five-point clear at the summit of Group B and the Jewels of Rivers assistant captain, Polinus Ifeoma, believes it is achievable.

"We are prepared for the match, we know it's a big game on Wednesday," she started. "We played draw with them in the first stanza, and we know they're coming here with full force, but myself and my girls are ready for Bayelsa Queens."

Polinus also dismissed the issue of pressure in their camp but maintained that the team will give their best to ensure they seal the NWFL Premiership Super Six ticket on Wednesday. 

"There is no pressure at all, I'm sure of victory at the end on Wednesday. It's a big derby in the Nigeria Women Football League Premiership, I can't predict the scoreline, but at the end, we are coming out victorious."

Midfielder Edward Tejiri echoed her teammates' sentiments, stating: "We are ready for the game on Wednesday, we believe with love and unity in our team, we would conquer on Wednesday.

"There is no pressure. We just have to motivate ourselves and play on Wednesday. It's a big game, I can't predict, but I know with God, we would conquer."

Having won the Rivers State FA Cup recently, Coach Whyte Ogbonda believes the match was a good preparatory match for his girls ahead of the big showdown against the 2022 champions. 

Whyte further said that he expects a tough match against Bayelsa Queens, but his team is ready to nick the win.

"We are playing Bayelsa Queens on Wednesday. This is the second to the last match in the regular season before the Super Six. I will say that Rivers Angels is well prepared," he said.

"The match will go a long way to help the team qualify for the Super Six, we played FA Cup match during the weekend and I will say the match was part of our preparation for the match on Wednesday.

"We are expecting a very strong and good fight from Bayelsa Queens on Wednesday. They forced us to a 1-1 draw in Yenagoa in the first stanza, I think they will come out to ensure it doesn't repeat again but we are prepared to ensure we get the victory over them."

The last time both sides met during the first stanza in Yenagoa, it ended 1- 1, with Motunrayo Ezekiel the scorer for Rivers Angels.