NWPL Super IV Playoff: Sunshine Queens Journey to the soccer Temple

NWPL Super IV Playoff

Sunshine Queens Journey to the soccer Temple

By Admin

The 2018 Nigeria Women premier league began on April 7 with a game that featured defending champions Nasarawa Amazons and FC Robo of Lagos State.

The date was fixed on March 3 following a congress held in Ikeja

Prior to the league Opener, a maiden super cup match was played between Aiteo cup winners, Rivers Angels and Nasarawa Amazons to officially open the new season.

On the 11th of April sunshine Queens FC kick started the league with a home match against Abia Angels, and the Akure based team wasted no time in sending a signal to other teams that they meant business in the Elite league scoring 4goals and conceeding 1.

Patience Agbokhade fondly called "Skele" opened scoring in the early minute of the first forty five minutes before precious Vincent Lola Philips and Tina oyatheleme registered their names on the goal scorer's chat to seal a convincing win for the home team.

On the 18th of April 2018, again Sunshine Queens Showed class recording another home victory against newcomers Jokodolu babes of Ogbomosho, defeating the visitors 3-0 . Tina Oyatheleme, Lola Philips and patience Agbokhade were the goal scorers.

Having picked six points from two home matches confidence grew Within the team, especially from younger players coupled with the experience of some other key players in the Team.

Sunshine Queens was occupying the number one spot in group B of the abridged league and remain unbeaten until the visit to lafia on the 3rd of May.

Goal sensation Anam Imo scored from the spot in the dying minutes of a keenly contested tie to give her side the lone goal and the maximum three points, a match players and officials of sunshine Queens won't forget so soon.

Akure women football fans were happy on the 9th of May watching good football display by players of FC Robo especially dreadful attacker Rasheedat ajibade who scored a stunning Freekick from 23 yards as her team took a surprise one goal lead at the Ondo state sports complex.

Guess what happened moments later, another stunning Freekick , an equaliser from Tobiloba Olanrewaju, wow and wow filled the air at the spectator's stand.

Twenty six minutes later league revelation and wonder kid Rofiat Imuran scored the winner with a sublime finish to end the entertaining match 2-1 in favour of Sunshine Queens.

Whether , the girls were motivated well enough before the kickoff of the league or not became a forgotten issue as the team embarked on a journey far north, this time to Yola against Adamawa Queens.

Against all odds sunshine Queens saw and conquered, picking a remarkable and convincing 3points at the expense of the home team, Tina Oyatheleme with the goal in far away yola but team mates, fans and coaches commended the efforts of Mercy Idoko who made her league Debut for sunshine Queens , also cameroonians Carin Yoh and Bella Rose were fantastic, the match was decided on the 16th of May.

Up next for the Queens was rivals from the state of Osun, Omoluwabi babes, as usual it was a difficult one for the home Team until the introduction of Patricia Innocent in the 34th Minute, guess what she did after 120 seconds, she scored via a header in the 36th minute, an incredible style of a header but a sweet goal.

Another memorable moment was a goalless draw recorded in Calabar at the Uj Esuene stadium against pelican stars

The league went on break moments later and this was further elongated after an emerging NFF leadership crisis.

The technical crew headed by Wemimo Mathew critically analysed the first stanza with the players thus reiterating the aim this season.

Before the commencement of the second stanza, a protest over unpaid salaries and allowances ensued, players were angry and took laws into their hands.

There were accusations and counter accusations but the most important was the fact that the crisis was managed, and dealt with and players settled for business on time

The second round of any elite league always tougher and busier and we knew picking points again away from home will brighten the team's chances as the target remains the league shield and the Aiteo Cup.

Surprisingly the unexpected occurred, a one all draw against Amazons at the Info state sports complex, thanks to Lola Philips' spot kick, a shocking one nil loss in Ogbomosho against Jokodolu babes and a disappointing 3-1 defeat in Lagos, suffered in the hands of FC Robo.

The high points of the second stanza were victories at home against Pelican stars and Adamawa babes and of course the goalless draw in oshogbo against Osun babes and another sweet draw against Abia Angels in Umuahia.

Joyful moments when Aminat yakubu scored the first goal in Lagos against FC Robo and the equalizer in Umuahia against Abia angels

Those were the magic moments of the league and how sunshine Queens qualified for the super four billed for the Agege stadium, Lagos Nigeria.

The stage is now set, sunshine Queens, the pride of Ondo state are eager to make good headlines and lift the league trophy in Lagos.

Participating teams

Sunshine Queens
Bayelsa Queens
Nasarawa Amazons
Rivers Angels.

      *Meetings*

Nasarawa Amazons 1

Sunshine Queens 0

( Anam IMO 88 )

3rd May 2018

Sunshine Queens 1

Nasarawa Amazons 1

Bayelsa Queens 1

Sunshine Queens 1

Lola Philips for Queens

Aiteo Cup, Group stage. Ijebu ode.

24-09-18

Nasarawa Amazons 2

Sunshine Queens 2
Patricia innocent, Goodness Ihuoma for sunshine queens

Aiteo cup, group stage, Ijebu Ode.

25-0918

Rivers Angels 2
Sunshine Queens 0

Aiteo cup quater finals.

Lafia city stadium.

The competition will hold from January 24 to January 27, 2019 at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

The new schedule
24th Jan. 2019 - Official Arrival Date.

24th Jan. 2019 - Pre-match meeting - 6pm.

25th Jan. 2019 -
(MN1) Bayelsa Queens vs. Sunshine Queens - 2pm.
(MN2) Nasarawa Amazons vs. Rivers Angels - 4pm.

26th Jan. 2019 - REST DAY.

27th Jan. 2019
(MN3) 3rd Place - Loser MN1 vs Loser MN2 - 2pm.

(MN4) - FINAL - Winner MN1 vs Winner MN2 - 4pm.

The best thing we do, not think, not wonder, not worry, not imagine, WE Just breath and have faith that everything will work out for the best, we are Sunshine Queens

Michael Akintunde, Media Officer Sunshine Queens FC.

Cya in Lagos