Bayelsa Queens stun Delta Queens

Apart from being billed as the star match of the opening weekend, fans who thronged the Bayelsa State Sports complex wanted to see the return of national team first choice goalkeeper, Precious Dede who had been injured since the African Women Championship in South Africa.

Dede, who was at the top of her game did not disappoint but could not stop two strikes from Bayela Queens, one in each half from Rosemary “Afara” Okezie and Ifeanyi Chiejine.

The game orinally scheduled for Saturday had to be delayed due to bad weather and was played on Sunday morning.

It was another battle of the Falcons in the Nigerian league as Bayelsa Queens paraded Gift Otuwe and Ifeanyi Chiejine while Delta Queens had Precious Dede, Ayi Yusuf, Bunmi Kayode, Ulunma Jerome, Lilian Cole, Akudo Iwuagwu and semola Akinlose, but it was Bayelsa Queens who drew first blood in the 30th minute of the game.

Ayi Yusuf looked like she had been fouled at the center, but the referee waved play on and Gift Otuwe was brought down in the box for a penalty that was disputed by the 2003 league champions.

However, Chairman of the Delta State sports Council, Elder Kujebola ordered his girls back into the pitch and rosemary Okezie converted for goal number one.

Former Bayelsa Queens attacker, Maureen Eke came in for Florence Okwemu in the second half  and quickly turned the heat on the home side but failed to make use of her chances.

First in the fifty second minute when she was freed by Oparaocha but shot tamely at Goalkeeper Oluchi tochukwu and then in the 83rd minute when she made a daring run into the box but her pull out was wasted.

On the other side, Ifeanyi Chiejine busy teaching the Delta Queens defenders a few tricks in the game as she consistently took them on mazy runs to the delight of the crowd.

She crowned her efforts with a beauty of a goal in the 65th minute when she turned around with the ball at the edge of the eighteen-yard box, loosing three defenders in the process, and burying the ball behind Precious Dede.

Bayelsa Queens join Pelican stars as joint table toppers after the first day of action in the Women Profesional League.

Bayelsa Queens
Oluchi Tochukwu, Anulika Achebo/Hope Akoh85th, Gladys Edet, Linda chukwuji, Onome Ebi, Selyefa Tebela, Rosemary Okezie, Gift Otuwe, Tawa Ishola/Chioma John 71st, Evelyn Nwabuoko, Ifeanyi Chiejine

Delta Queens
Precious Dede, Adaku Erengwa, Ayi Yusuf, Bunmi Kayode, Ulunma Jerome, Lilian Cole, Akudo Iwuagwu, Semola Akinlose/Chizoba Oparaocha 49th, Florence Okwemu/Maureen Eke50th, Faith Nwolu/PRecious Nnodim73rd, Promise Sike

Cautions
Gladys Edet (Bayelsa Queens) 70th
Red Card
Gladys Edet (Bayelsa Queens) 89th

Other results

Kaduna Queens 2-2 FCT Queens