It will be a battle of familiar foes tomorrow as Heartland Queens battle Bayelsa Queens in one of the semis of the ongoing Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament in Benin, Edo state.
Both teams had tough quarter finals battles. While Heartland Queens stopped Beninois Championnat National Feminine champions, Espoir FC de Cotonou, Bayelsa Queens rode on Fortress Ladies to book the semis tickets.
In the first quarter finals, the former Nigerian champions, Bayelsa Queens defeated hard fighting NWFL Championship side Fortress Ladies with two unrepliied goals in the first quarterfinals to pave the way for the impending semifinals clash and first time ever between the Nigerian topflights.
Speedster and lethal finisher, Onyinyechi Kalu’s 82nd minute lone strike proved decisive to hand Coach Obi Ogbala his fourth unblemished wins and historic semifinals ticket for the Owerri Ladies.
The Benin Republic side had their captain and Nigerian goalkeeper, Ifunanya Judith Chiaka and defence to thank for the slim goal margin as well as the Owerri landladies’ wastefulness at the finishing areas.
The Owerri side have now made history with its first time ever qualification to the last four of the yearly preseason showpiece in its fourth year and the premier leaguers have been all-time players. The Owerri side are the only team in the BOWFT that guaranteed the elimination of the two foreign invited topflights from Benin Republic, Aigle Royal d’Adjara and Espoir FC de Cotonou.
The semi final clash between Heartland Queens and former BOWFT champions and third best club side in Africa, Bayelsa Queens will hold on Monday at the turf of Western Boys High School by 13:00 hours.
