Heartland Queens capped off their Sheroes Cup campaign with a scintillating 4-2 victory over Honey Badgers at the Area 3 play Ground in Abuja, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Owerri-based side showcased their attacking prowess, with Faith Samson stealing the show by netting a hat trick and claiming the Woman of the Match (WOTM) award.
The match kicked off with Heartland Queens asserting their dominance early on, pinning the Honey Badgers in their half through relentless high pressing. The first big chance fell to Emmanuella James, who narrowly missed a simple tap-in inside the box. Moments later, Honey Badgers’ goalkeeper pulled off a brilliant save from a thunderous shot by Chizoba Johnson.
Faith Samson opened the floodgates in the 30th minute with a clinical finish off Prisca Nwachukwu’s perfectly executed free kick. The Honey Badgers tried to respond, but Heartland’s goalkeeper, Amarachi Atulayo, had little to do in the opening half, largely enjoying a spectator’s role.
Just four minutes after the opener, Samson doubled the lead with another set-piece masterclass, sending the fans into a frenzy. The first-half rout was complete in the 37th minute when Emmanuella James unleashed a stunning strike to make it 3-0, putting the Owerri Landladies in full control by halftime.
The Honey Badgers showed more fight after the restart, and their persistence paid off when they earned a penalty following a collision in the Heartland Queens’ box. Captain Joy confidently converted from the spot in the 52nd minute, narrowing the deficit to 3-1 and giving her team a glimmer of hope.
However, Faith Samson extinguished any hopes of a comeback in the 67th minute when she completed her hat trick. Rising high to meet a set piece, she nodded the ball into the back of the net, restoring Heartland’s three-goal cushion at 4-1.
The Queens continued to dominate, creating several scoring chances through Onyinyechi Kalu, Chimebere Opara, and Oluchi Okwara, but poor finishing kept the scoreline unchanged. The Honey Badgers managed to grab a consolation goal in the dying moments with a spectacular long-range volley, ending the match at 4-2.
Faith Samson’s hat trick cemented her as the standout performer, earning her the WOTM award. The victory underscores Heartland Queens’ tactical brilliance and attacking flair, leaving fans excited about their prospects in future tournaments. The Sheroes Cup may have concluded for the Owerri side, but the Queens have undoubtedly left their mark as a force to reckon with in Nigerian women’s football.
Credit: Heartland Queens Media