NWFL Matchday 1: Heartland Queens drag Royal Queens in four goals thriller

Posted : 16 November 2023

Heartland Queens demolished Royal Queens 4-0 in Wednesday's NWFL Premiership Matchday 1 clash at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

The home team's intent was clear from the blast of the whistle. Just 53 seconds into the game, before the opponents could settle down, the slippery attacker Onyinyechi Kalu had already hit the back of the net, setting the record for the fastest goal of the season so far, much to the consternation of the oil city side's goalkeeper, Adefunke Enugbokan.

The pitiable goalie, Enugbokan, was stunned seven minutes later by the dead-ball specialist Chidinma Anaele. The hapless shot-stopper was rooted to the spot as the ball caressed the back of the net.

Unable to contain the home team's ceaseless forays into the visitors' vital areas, under-pressure defender Gift Afigbediitor turned her head into her own net, giving the Owerri Landladies a cushioning third goal.

Afigbediitor had to pay severely for letting in three goals in less than 20 minutes as she was substituted by the second-choice goalkeeper, Catherine Gabriel.

Both sides went into the locker room with a three-goal advantage for the Owerri side, as efforts to increase the goal tally by the duo of Lucky Mary and Chimebere Opara were stoutly rebuffed.

Heartland Queens' all-time top scorer, Lucky Mary, looked ordinary throughout the game and, as usual, received the most severe and vicious knocks, along with Chimebere Opara and Faith Sampson.

Undone with the three-goal advantage, the home team pulled out the trio—Mary, Onyinyechi, and Sampson—for Chinedu Chinaka, James Emmanuella, and Charles Nwabueze to further the search for more goals.

However, the visitors, perhaps feeling they had endured enough of the home team's growing domination, took the battle to their hosts' vital areas with the introduction of former Nigerian international Charity Reuben. Still, the practically holidaying goalie of Heartland Queens, Uchenna Chukwu, had all the answers.

But just when it looked like both sides were satisfied with the state of affairs, substitute Chinedu Chinaka, out of nowhere, slotted in the match winner at the dot of 90 minutes.

The four additional minutes did not produce any change in the scoreline as the center referee signaled the end of the match, with the home team securing an emphatic four-goal victory.

The Owerri side will embark on a road trip to meet former champions Nasarawa Amazons for the NWFL Premiership Matchday 2 clash at the Lafia City Stadium.

NWFL Matchday 1: Heartland Queens drag Royal Queens in four goals thriller

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