Following a devastating 3-1 away defeat to Rivers Angels in week 2 of the Nigeria Women Football League NWFL, premiership played at the Adokiye Amesiemeka Stadium in Port Harcourt last Wednesday, digital Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission Yussuf Alli, (Olympian) has charged Edo Queens FC to put behind them Rivers Angels defeat and reignite winning mentality for the remaining matches in this first stanza as they face Sunshine Queens of Akure this Wednesday November 29th, 2023 at Akure Township Stadium Akure Ondo State.
Edo Queens who have been fired up by the State government and fans to keep momentum are sitting third in Group B of the Women premier league standings.
However, despite last week defeat, Edo Queens is ready to come out strong against the host not minding the deposition of women football fans around.
Both teams are in for a cracker this Wednesday as the two NWFL sides renew rivalry with each other in battle for the three maximum points, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
As the Sunshine Ladies and the Benin-City based girls go toe -to - toe this week, Edo Queens FC will be aiming to prove their supremacy over the host, because statistics has it that in 2023, Edo Queens have had two conservative win over Sunshine Queens in Federation Cup and Sheroes Pre-season Cup. This is not to say that Sunshine Queens are pushovers. Yes ardent fans of Edo Queens are shocked by the result recorded in their last game in Port Harcourt. In football world over, there are no more minnows. People might be wondering what had gone wrong at the Adokiye Amasiemeka Port Harcourt during last Wednesday's game against Rivers Angels. For us we have put that outside, our focus is now on Wednesday game. against the Sunshine girls.
Edo Queens 3-1 defeat by Rivers Angels have dominated discussions over the week, but is not a huge burden to us, we have moved on and ready to win back the confidence of our teeming fans.
We know that we are in for a tough encounter against our host, we would be very focus, we know that football fans around Ondo and Edo State expect to see good football, and we are very determined to give our best and make our fans happy again. It will be recalled that both teams suffered devastating away defeat last week, so in this crucial game, both teams would want to come out strong against each each to redeem their image before their teeming fans.
In a motivational talk to the Benin-City based ladies, Edo State Sports Commission head said:
"I want you all to put behind you your experience in Port Harcourt, it has come and gone. That is football for you. If you remember vividly well before the start of the new season, I told you players that you must be ready for defeat, if you fall in one game, there is always another chance, try as much as possible to rise up again, those top clubs in Europe have experienced the same thing before they are where they are now".
"You should know that all eyes are on Edo Queens, so you must wake up and tell yourself you are would be potential champions of Nigeria and Africa".
"Now you have the governor's backing, you have the Sports Commission's backing and above all you have the fans backing so go out there and reignite that winning mentality that Edo State is known for".
"Don't forget too that you are in a tough Group, you must be wary of your opponents, because judging from your exploits during the pre- season competitions, Edo Queens is a team to beat. We must rise up to face the big challenge before us".
"On our part as management, we would continue to give maximum support needed for our Sports men and women to excel. And the only way to enjoy this support is when you are turning out good results", he added.
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola