Imperial landladies of Owerri, Imo state, Heartland Queens will push hardest for a double against nextdoor neighbours, Abia Angels in an Oriental derby billed for the hallowed chamber of the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
The derby is the NWFL Premiership matchday 11 game. The first term game at the Enyimba Stadium in the busy business centre of Aba, Abia state saw the Owerri mainstreams triumphed 2-1 against the homers on that occasion right there at their backyard.
Ahead of the Wednesday's dugout, the premier leaguers experienced mixed fortunes in matchday 10 games. While the Owerri landladies overpowered former champions, Nasarawa Amazons with one unanswered goal, the Angels from the South East commercial hubs shared the booties with the oil city side, Royal Queens.
Aside the mixed fortunes on matchday 10 experiences, both sides sit wide apart on the eight-team Group A log, while the homers sit pretty atop of the table, the neighbours and visitors are wedged in the middle of the pecking order.
Apart from the two mentioned mixed experiences, more experiences will come into play to shape how the pendulum will swing on Wednesday. A few months ago, the helmsman at Abia Angels, Ben Nwoke was a dugout mates with his opposite at Heartland Queens, Obi Ogbala.
Few seasons ago the Owerri mainstreams chief coach and former Nigerian international, Adanna Nwaneri was in charge of the Aba side. In the Aba side's rosters are about three or four Heartland Queens, Funmi Adefuye, Isiaka Asiata Ololade, Silvia Iheanyichukwu, et cetera, that switched allegiance to the sister's side at the start of the season.
Of course, the Owerri side gaffer, Ogbala is as articulate, calm and cool as ever very confident of an impressive performance with the timely ascendancy of the most-sought-after finishers, Mary Lucky, Chinedu Chinaka, Emmanuella James, Yetunde Anyantosho and on the field captain, Chimebere Opara turning the legs nicely well.
Record chasing netminder, Uchenna Chukwu still at her imperial best and hard-as-nails defenders, Onyedikachi Ekezie, Chinyere Iheoma, Kelechi Orgii and Oluomachi Onwere effective as ever to secure the back, and naturals in the middle to spread tailor-made passes, Oluchi Okwara, Joy Enamino, Chidinma Anaele, Nwabueze Charles and Marvellous Duru.
A possible double over nextdoor neighbours, Abia Angels will help the Owerri mainstreams to consolidate on her prime and summit position on the eight-team group's log.
Heartland Queens Media
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola