A potential fierce and fistful game is in the offing when the premier leaguers, Confluence Queens and Heartland Queens clash in titanic Wednesday's NWFL Premiership matchday 12 game at the Iyamho Stadium in Auchi, Edo state, Nigeriasoccernet.com can confirm.
When both sides met in their first time ever topflight clash on Wednesday, December 06, 2023 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri the dugout ended in an energy sapping and pulsating goalless score-line.
However, it was a mixed fortunes for the sides going into matchday 12 game on Wednesday. While the Watersmeet side, Confluence Queens shared the booties with the Oil City side and hosts, Royal Queens in Sapele, Delta state in matchday 11 game, the Owerri mainstreams, Heartland Queens made a light work of the Oriental derby against next door neighbors, Abia Angels with a 4-1 demolition at their hallowed backyard, Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.
Of course, the Owerri landladies have the bragging rights at the moment having beaten the Confluence City side in their first time ever competitive game in the 2023 Federation Cup round of 32 game. So there is a palpable score to settle between the top-flights as the decision day could as well be on Wednesday in the reverse fixture clash in university town of Iyamho.
The Owerri side have been on ascendancy of late with their captivating performances that have seen the side go on four-match unbeaten run since the start of the second term of the season. And as it's at the moment, the Owerri side are not done to further extend the unbeaten run even with the expected tough challenge against the hosts, Confluence Queens.
The Owerri side's manager, Obi Ogbala is not one given to running away from tough tasks, and happy for him, he is almost spoiled for choices with tools to conjure another masterstroke in Iyamho. Ogbala is sure to entrust the baton to lead the onslaughts on his conjurewoman and the most sought after lethal finisher, Mary Lucky, and to be ably aided by the no nonsense attackers, Chinedu Chinaka, on the field captain, Chimebere Opara, Onyinyechi Kalu and Nigeria's cadet jewel, Yetunde Anyantosho.
Choices in the middle for accurate passes will still revolve among the regulars, former Nigerian junior international, Oluchi Ofoegbu, Oluchi Okwara, Chidinma Anaele and youngster, Nwabueze Charles. While hard-as-nails defenders, Onyedikachi Ekezie, Chinyere Iheoma, Kelechi Orgii, Nnenna Williams and Oluomachi Onwere are credible options to provide a watertight covers for the record chasing and effective netminder, Uchenna Chukwu.
A good result in the epic game at the Lokoja-based side will further help the Owerri mainstreams to consolidate on their enviable position on the eight-team Group table as well as almost cement their hands on grabbing their first time ever Super Six ticket.
Heartland Queens are atop of the log on 21 points one above her closest challengers, Nasarawa Amazons.
Heartland Queens Media
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola