ABUJA – Coach Lawrence Sunday of State House Queens of Abuja has expressed optimism that the club would still gain promotion to the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL).
Sunday stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja after his club beat Martins White Dove of Benin 1-0.
The match is a week eight, Group A match of the Nigeria Women Professional Football League (NWPFL).
“I am happy with what my players played today considering the fact that they didn’t do well in our last match against Beautiful Tours Football Club, also of Abuja.
“But they improved on their performance today because they are all aware of the fact that we are aiming to get promotion to the NWPL.
“ Now, we have only two matches to go and our opponent today, who are the table toppers, also have two matches left and they are leading us with just two points; so, anything can happen.
“Any of us can pick the promotion ticket; but it is the congress that will decide the number of clubs that will gain promotion, we are targeting the top spot.
“We are still very hopeful of gaining promotion by the time we play the remaining two matches, ‘’ Sunday said.
The match played at the Area 3 Sports Complex, Mercy Omokwe’s 43rd minute goal separated the two teams. [eap_ad_1] The score-line would have been higher had the Abuja-based side converted the chances they had.
However, the goal that decided the winner was a carefully headed one that resulted from a corner kick in the first half of the match.
Almost 30 minutes of the second half was played in the rain.
Martins White Dove coach, Grace Kurah, said she was sure that her club would qualify.
“My players’ performance today was excellent and wonderful. In spite of the rain that almost destabilised the match, they played to my instructions and gave me a good game.
“But losing this match does not really affect us because we are already on top in our group with 17 points and we have only two matches left.
“So, our qualification is sure, but the officiating we got here was not too good.
“The referees should try and improve in their officiating because it affects good play of football,’’ Kurah said.
She said security should be taken seriously, especially by Abuja-based clubs.
“During the pre-match meeting, we were told that there would be 20 regular policemen here, but we saw only five which is not too good for football,’’ Kurah said.
State House Queens would host Oguche Babes of Lokoja in the week nine match while Martins White Dove would also host Beautiful Tour Queens of Abuja. (NAN)
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