River Angels Edge Delta Queens
Women Classico: Evergreen Mbachu Inspires Rivers Angels To Federation Cup Semi Final Victory
Goals from Cathy Bou and Ngozi Ebere saw Rivers Angels beat Delta Queens 2-1 on Friday and book their place in the grand finale of the Women's Federation Cup.
The defending champions went into the game as favourites, with the Delta girls impressing too, and Edwin Okon's women ensured they earned the bragging rights over their rivals.
Evelyn Nwabuoku was ruled out due to accumulated cards, but her replacement Onyinyechi Ohadugha neutralised the dangerous incursions of Ngozi Okobi and Tessy Biahwo.
Delta Queens began with four at the back and a packed five-player midfield, looking to limit Rivers Angels’ strength going through the middle.
The two goalkeepers were kept busy in the early exchanges and they proved how good they were.
Rivers Angels took the lead on 38 minutes when Cathy Bou side-footed home from close range at the end of a spilled save by Ihuoma Onuoha.
A fantastic combination by the ageless Stella Mbachu set-up Cecilia Nku and the midfielder sent a shot which the goalkeeper spilled to the path of Lola Philips and the fair skinned striker's rebound was poked home by the Cameroon star.
The Port Harcourt Angels started the second half with more bite and purpose and even had a first shot on target.
Three minutes after the break Stella Mbachu won a corner kick for the Premier League Leaders. The left-wing dead ball was whipped into the waiting net by Ngozi Ebere.
The game remained 2-0 and Delta Queens had to wait until the final 22 minutes before reducing the lead for the first time on the evening.
Ngozi Okobi, who was lethal for the 2011/12 league champions, was the woman who got the goal, with the Nigeria international firing home on 68 minutes.
Suddenly, the FIFA Goal Project Centre was awakened and Delta Queens thrived on the sudden energy.
That same formula could and should have led to a dramatic finale. This time, though, from another excellent Ngozi Okobi's free kick which Charity John saved.
Rivers Angels marched on, but despite finishing without any tangible reward, Delta Queens showed enough late on to potentially provide a springboard going forward.
