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Mathias Josephine’s 81st minute solitary strike in the earned Nasarawa Amazons 1-0 win over unlucky Confluence Queens in the Matchday 10 of the Nigeria Women Premier League, NWPL clash in Lafia on Wednesday.
The goal which came from Anam Imo’s cross beat outrushing Vincent Mercy as Josephine headed into empty net with just six minutes to end the pulsating game played at the Lafia City stadium.
The opening period of the match couldn’t produced its real potential due to slippery nature of the pitch as a result of heavy down pour moments before the kickoff.
But there were interesting moments to savor after the rain subside at 30th minutes as the hosts came close to open the score sheet when Imo’s effort hit the upright after being fed by Ejalonibu Adejoke.
Adejoke decided to attack on her own in the 37th minute as she dribbled past Olanrewaju Tobiloba but her weak shot was gathered by Mercy.
Confluence Queens gained confidence to attack with less than 10 minutes to end the first stanza and they came close to get a goal through separate efforts from Mercy Idoko and Anoruo Chidinma.
Confluence Queens were pushed to their half in the opening part of second half as Nasarawa Amazons came out smoking looking for a needed goal but the defense of the Lokoja based club marshaled by Tobiloba and Okpalla Maureen were rock solid to deny thwart their efforts.
But the girls of Coach Nayashi Maja led side came near to get aim at goal in the 62nd minutes when Abdulkareem Ramat hit straight goalkeeper Nwankwo Chioma.
Former Confluence queens’ winger Ikeh Ginika was left surprised to see her shot hit the two uprights before rolling out from goal.
With ten minutes to end the game it was all about the hosts throwing everything they’ve got at the goal area of their guests with a believe to get the winner.
That later laid off with nine minutes to end the game with timely arrival of Josephine who capitalized on Mercy’s mistimed and head home the eventual winner from Imo’s cross.
The Queens brought in experienced striker Ifeoma Polinus with seven minutes to end the game but the striker couldn’t salvage at least a point for her side as Nasarawa keeper Chioma played antics with time to run down the time for her side to claim the full points.
A disappointing Head Coach of Confluence Queens, Tenimu Nayashi who blamed loss of concentration for his girls’ defeat noted that there were positives to be drawn from the game as the Queens almost get the result in their favor just as he expressed confidence of getting it right in the next game against Osun Babes.
“It’s painful we couldn’t hold them till the end, it’s just that little moment loss of concentration that made us to concede that goal.
But I must commend the girls for giving Amazons a tough game, I’m sure with more effort added to what we showcased today, we will get positive result in Osogbo (against Osun Babes)
A relieved Head Coach of Amazons, Christopher Danjuma said the win has taken pressure off him and his side even as he expressed confidence of winning the match with few minutes to go.
“I’m relieved honestly, it has really taken a lot of pressure from us after the last two game which we lost, this has put us on a right stead for Super 4 again.
Yes, I was sure we will win the game, because I knew with the way we were playing there would be an opening which later came and we capitalized on, though we were lucky we got the goal,” Danjuma said.
The win has helped Nasarawa to make a stronghold of the Group B table 19 points while Confluence Queens have been shipped down to fourth with the loss.
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