By Olukayode Babalola
Lafia – A 79th minute penalty kick helped to secure a win for Nasarawa Amazons against visiting Sunshine Queens Football Club of Akure.
Imo Anam converted the penalty kick in the 2017/2018 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) Match Day 4 fixture at the Lafia Township Stadium on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that The Sunshine Queens’ head coach, Wemimo Mathew, was however unhappy with the match’s officiating.
She described it as “troubling’’ and urged referees in the league to officiate fairly for the good of the game.
“The officiating needs to be looked into. Referees should allow for free and fair games. They should stop helping home teams.
“The ball went outside of the field and the assistant referee raised her flag. Then a player brought the ball in again and a penalty kick was awarded.
“It is wrong, unfair. Those in charge of the league need to look into officiating in female football so that we can have a better league.
“My players were excellent, but in the end the referee just killed the game. It is troubling,” Matthew said.
In his reaction, Christopher Danjuma, the Head Coach of Nasarawa Amazons, praised his players’ fighting spirit.
“In spite of the good defensive efforts put in by the Sunshine Queens players, Nasarawa Amazons were able to break the deadlock due to their positive mentality on the pitch.
“Football is about mentality. It is all about mentality. It is the team that has a better mentality and toughness that won.
“I am satisfied with our performance because it is an issue of mental toughness. I am satisfied they sustained their mentality,” he said.