Heartland Queens has a wonderful opportunity to secure, seal, stamp and deliver for the first time an NWFL Super Six ticket to Imolites and financiers, Imo state government under the able leadership and sports loving governor, Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodinma.
This will come to fruition when they confront visitors, Naija Ratels in Wednesday’s NWFL Premiership matchday 13 game at the sacred turf of Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.
Going into the matchday 13 expected fierce showdown, both sides recorded mixed fortunes in the immediate past games, while the homers felled 1-2 at the Watersmeet side, Confluence Queens the Abuja-based side, Naija Ratels were truly at home winning convincingly with three unanswered goals against the Oil City side, Royal Queens.
Incidentally, and suffices to say that the Owerri mainstreams are yet to claim outright victory in the premier leaguers’ three-time meetings in the topflight.
However, those unenviable records are about to be consigned to the darkest and better forgotten side of history come on Wednesday based on current form. While the in-form side from the hospitality capital of the country are almost signing off and cashing their precious Super Six cheque the opposite from the nation’s administrative capital are struggling to stay alive in the elite league.
With very little or no change at all in the lineups against the Confluence City side, the gaffer of the Owerri landladies, Obi Ogbala is likely to stick to his tested and trusted hard-as-nails rearguards, Onyedikachi Ekezie, Chinyere Iheoma, Kelechi Orgii, Oluomachi Onwere and Nnenna Williams to provide 100% covers for record chasing net minder, Uchenna Chukwu.
Dependable and trusted conjurewoman and the most sought after lethal finisher, Mary Lucky is sure to receive the baton to lead the onslaughts for goals and assist options coming from equally lethal finisher and bullish attacker, Chinedu Chinaka, on the field captain, Chimebere Opara, and crafty and nimble-footed, Onyinyechi Kalu and slippery Nigeria’s cadet gem, Yetunde Anyantosho.
To spearhead the midfield and provide the guile passes options are surplus coming off the foot of former Nigerian junior international Oluchi Ofoegbu, Oluchi Okwara, Chidinma Anaele, and youngster, Nwabueze Charles.
The Owerri side will definitely cement their hands on the Super Six ticket with a victory against the visitors from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja with a game to spare at newcomers, Dannaz Ladies in Lagos on the closing day of the ongoing season.
The Owerri side is second on the eight-team Group A table on 21 points two adrift leaders and former champions, Nasarawa Amazons while the opponents, Naija Ratels are seventh on paltry 14 points from possible 36.
