After Bayelsa Queens won the first edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament in 2021, the ancient city of Benin is agog for this year’s Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament semi-finals which will be decided on Wednesday, September 14 with the games scheduled to be played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
Both games are balanced on a knife edge with the pre-season tournament providing quality and tasty fixtures. Only two teams will make it to the final slated for Saturday, September 17. The other two who lose will battle for third place on Friday, September 16.
Who will it be?
Edo Queens v Nasarawa Amazon – Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium – 1 pm
Edo Queens and Nasarawa Amazons lock horns again. The clubs met in the last NWFL Super Six in Benin City, exactly three months ago, when the North Central side won by a lone goal from the spot. In this pre-season tournament, Nasarawa Amazons have scored 14 goals conceding three goals in the total. They luckily scaled past the quarter-final fixture against Naija Ratels on Monday, with resurgent Naija Ratels proving too stubborn to back down, thanks to DooshTarnum’srnum 73rd minute winner. Nasarawa Amazons are led by Christopher Danjuma, head coach of the Falconets.
After Edo Queens’ poor outing at the Super Six, the management of the team has brought in Moses Adukwu, former coach of Bayelsa Queens who clinched the last NWFL Premiership title and the BOWFT title. Supporters of the club can attest to the development of the team. The attacking threat of the Obaseki Girls has always been an issue of major concern but this pre-season has proven otherwise. 14 goals in three matches, and conceding none is a good, average of three goals per game.
FORM GUIDE
Nasarawa Amazons: WWW
Edo Queens: WWW
PLAYER TO WATCH
Nasarawa Amazons: Amarachi Okoronkwo, Kesiena Ojiyovwi, Hembafen Ayatsea and Dooshima Tarnum will be a big threat to the solid defence of Edo Queens. These four ladies have netted a total of 10 of the 14 goals Nasarawa Amazons. The prolific attack will hope to conquer the defence of Edo Queens.
Edo Queens: New Signing Eunice Godwin and Fajobi Yetunde are the hottest ladies in town. This duo have a hat trick to their names and is in contention for the golden boot of the tournament. Joy Jerry at the forward line, Alani Jumoke on the wings, Suliat Abideen at the and Samuel Yemisi are still forced to reckon with.
Prediction: Edo Queens to progress.
Delta Queens v FC Robo Queens – Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium – 4 pm
Delta Queens’ hopes of winning the Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament were all but over until the Daniel Evumena-led side completed a comeback against Royal Queens of Warri to book a date at the semi-finals. Robo Queens on the other hand, who lost their opening game, ran a rampage on Confluence Queens, whitewashing the Kogi ladies by six goals.
Delta Queens finished third at the NWFL Super Six and in preparation for the 2022/2023 season on the NWFL, they have found the back of the net only four times, the lowest of any team in the semi-finals.
Although they lost to Nasarawa Amazons in their last group game, Robo Queens of Lagos will fancy their chances against Delta Queens. The defence line of Delta Queens will have to be careful of a prolific attack that shows no mercy and has scored 15 times.
FORM GUIDE
Delta Queens: WWW
FC Robo Queens: WLW
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Delta Queens: A player to watch will be the jersey number 9 shirt Peace Abbey, although she is yet to register a goal at this tournament, her movement within the opposition’s box will be a big cause of worry for Robo Queens. The spotlight will also be on Mercy Omokwo and Chinansa Agoh who have a goal each to their name.
FC Robo Queens: Folashade Ijamilusi and Taiwo Lawal have both recorded a haul in this pre-season tournament. No other player has achieved this feat. At the quarter-final, Taiwo Lawal added a brace to her name.
Prediction: Robo Queens to progress.