NWFL Super Six ticket intact despite loss to Confluence Queens - Heartland Queens Boss, Ogbala

Posted : 05 April 2024

Heartland Queens' manager, Obi Ogbala, has said that his side's dream of securing their first-ever Super Six ticket remains intact despite their loss in the matchday 12 game against Confluence Queens.

The mainstreams from Owerri were defeated 1-2 by Confluence City side in the NWFL Premiership matchday 12 game at University Stadium in Iyamho, Auchi, Edo state.

Goals from Merit Offor and Daniella Fagbenro proved decisive, handing the Lokoja-based side all three points, while bullish attacker Chinedu Chinaka scored the lone goal for the Owerri side.

Ogbala, who spoke highly of his team despite the setback, insisted that his focus is on the remaining two matches of the season for necessary adjustments.

"Well, we have two matches to go, and my focus is on those two matches. I will not say that our lifeline depends on the home match; I actually want to secure all six points. I know it won't be easy.

"As has been said, given the unfolding scenario, the qualification could go down to the wire. I want to recall the talks when the draws were made; people said Group A is nothing, but it looks like the reverse is the case.

"Between the groups, you can see that Group A is proving to be harder with close markings and unpredictability.

"I will tell anyone who wants to know that we are working towards achieving our goal of qualifying for the Super Six, whether against Naija Ratels or in our last match against Dannaz Ladies, our sights are set on the Super Six ticket.

"We are going to work hard to see how we can achieve our dreams.

"No one goes into a contest with the intention to lose. From the outset, we aimed to achieve something for ourselves in Iyamho, Auchi, Edo state, the home ground of Kogi Confluence Queens.

"We wanted to win, or at worst, pick up a point, which we were almost doing before the sudden winning goal.

"Our sights are set on the future, so it wasn't that bad. I have taken it in good faith. After all, I have won a team outside; that's football. We keep learning, pushing, and making corrections to ensure we come out on top.

"You know that if you work hard, the result will show. We really worked hard, but we didn't get the result.

"The players were not 100 percent there in the first half, but after the break, they impressed. They tried their best, proved a point, wanted to win, did exactly what we wanted them to do, took the ball to the opponents, but again, against a team that wanted to win to boost their chances of securing a Super Six ticket," said the soft-spoken Nasarawa Amazons' gaffer.

Despite the defeat, the landladies from Owerri are still at the top of the eight-team Group A log with 21 points, same as the close and newest challengers, Confluence Queens, at least for the next 24 hours pending the outcome of the clash between hosts Abia Angels and Nasarawa Amazons in Aba on Thursday.

The Owerri side will next host the Abuja-based team, Naija Ratels, for the NWFL Premiership matchday 13 on Wednesday, April 17, at Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

NWFL Super Six ticket intact despite loss to Confluence Queens - Heartland Queens Boss, Ogbala

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