Delta Queens have dethroned Bayelsa Queens to win the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), eleven years after they claimed the title.
They defeated the Prosperity Girls 2-1 on Sunday to win the 2022/2023 crown at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.
The home team trailed in the game after Chisom Henry scored an own goal. Tosan Blankson’s ladies searched for a leveller, and almost got it at the stroke of halftime.
However, Fehintola Mabokanje missed from the spot, leaving Delta Queens one nil down heading into the break.
As the second half began, Blankson rang some changes, bringing Chinaza Agoh and Inyang Esther into the fray in the 65th minute.
It did not take time before the switch paid off. Chinaza finished off with an acrobatic goal to bring her side to parity. That’s the first goal Bayelsa Queens conceded in this year’s NWFL Super Six.
Both sides continued to search for the goals. However, four minutes from regulation time, Chinaza struck again to give her team the advantage.
Delta Queens then held on to win their first league crown since 2012 and their sixth overall.
After the final whistle, an excited Blankson, hailed the girls, especially the goalscorer, for the feat, tipping them for greatness.
𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗬! 🏆
— NWFL (@TheNWFL) June 11, 2023
🥇Champions alert🖐️💪
Long wait finally over!
Delta Queens crowned the Nigeria Women's Football League Premiership champions for the first time in 1️⃣2️⃣ years! @DeltaQueensFC| #NWFL23 | #NWFLPremiershipSuper6| #BAYDEL pic.twitter.com/lEN2WzkyiE
“These girls are all national team materials. I am short of words but I give God all the glory for the victory,” the gaffer said.
“We knew the first half is going to be tough for us so we have to keep Chinaza outside. When she came in, she was fresh and gave us the desired goals,” the coach added.
Sunday’s victory hands the Asaba-based side the chance to represent Nigeria at the 2023 WAFU-B Zonal qualifiers for the CAF Women’s Champions League billed for Cote d’Ivoire later in the year.
For Bayelsa Queens’ Technical Adviser, Domo Okara, the defeat was painful but he admitted that in football, one can’t win all games.
“We would go and prepare and bounce back next season. I wish Delta Queens the best of luck,” he said.
But before next season, the Restoration Girls have a chance to start their revival mission when they face Rivers Angels in the final of the 2023 Women’s Federation Cup.
Meanwhile, there were also individual accolades, after the Super Six ties. Mercy Omokwo of Delta Queens won the Top Scorer prize having scored nine goals in 15 games.
9️⃣ GOALS IN 1️⃣5⃣ GAMES 🔥
— NWFL (@TheNWFL) June 11, 2023
🇳🇬 Mercy Omokwo has won 2022/2023 #NWFLPremiership23 top scorer award 👏#NWFLPremiershipSuper6 | @DeltaQueensFC | #NWFL23 pic.twitter.com/ydRrBDCIdb
Her teammate Mbechi Anderline scooped the Best Goalkeeper award.
The 2022/2023 #NWFLPremiership23 Best Goalkeeper, @DeltaQueensFC's Mgbechi Anderline! 👏#NWFLPremiershipSuper6 | @DeltaQueensFC | #NWFL23 pic.twitter.com/dpWPdpzTAU
— NWFL (@TheNWFL) June 11, 2023
Chinaza also took the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Super Six following Sunday’s brace.
A historic night for a briliant star! 🌟
— NWFL (@TheNWFL) June 11, 2023
🇳🇬 Chinaza Agoh is named the Most Valuable Player of the #NWFLPremiershipSuper6 season after a remarkable brace against Bayelsa Queens 👏#NWFLPremiershipSuper6 | @DeltaQueensFC | #NWFL23 pic.twitter.com/AYuUeUHTD8
In the third-place match, Rivers Angel beat Confluence Queens 2-0 courtesy of second-half goals from Adaobi Okah and Oghenebrume Ikekhua.
The Jewels of Rivers have now won the bronze medal for the second time in a row having claimed the prize in Benin City last year.