Female League Preview: Riv Angels in dire straits

The club groaning under its lack of finances seems ill prepared for the start of the league season as players show a complete nonchalance towards club activities.

A visit to the club's training session in the last couple of weeks showed that players do not take things seriously as they continue to silently protest the non payment of their wages for four months.

Less than fifteen players train daily and this is not good enough for a club that signed thirty players and are one week away from the start of the new season.

However, Club Chairman, LArry Eze insists the club will still play in the league denying that players are not mentally prepared for the league.

Larry Eze told nigeriasports.com that the girls are prepared to play despite their situation though he is hopefull that all will be well by the time the league starts next week.

"We will play the league and I dont agree that the girls are not mentally prepared for the campaign. We have had it rougher than this before and came through. We are working out on what to do, and I believe before the season starts I know we will be financially and mentally prepared for the season."

On the pitch, Rivers Angels look good enough to better their last season performance of a fourth place finish in the league. At the end of last season, the club sacked 14 unruly and under performing players, signing on about twenty new ones to beef up the squad.

Sign 32 for 2004

From Pelican Stars of Calabar, the club signed on Cameroonian Captain, Anong Bernadette Zang, Lawrencia Nnadieto and Jacinta Onuoha while Ibom Unity Queens had to part with four of their players- Ngozika Ebere, Charity Ifenko, Oluchi Ogbonna and Faustina Ugwuadu.

Ejoke Atubele and Falcons fringe player, Helen Azi also jumped ship from Capital Queens of Oron.

Kelechi Gideon, Chinyere Afor and Augusta Egwim were signed from Bayelsa Queens, while Ngozi Dialla and Ogonna Chukwudi joined from Inneh Queens of Benin.

Martha Achede and Ada Ella were scooped from Confluence Queens of Lokoja while Chinyere Ndu joined from league Champions, Delta Queens of Asaba.

From FCT Queens came Kome Williams while Ogochukwu Atube was unattached.

Nigeriasports.com can authoritaively reveal that the club is on the verge of being taken over by the Rivers State Government.

The full squad list

Goalkeepers

Lucky Atu
Ann Chiejine
Charity John

Defenders

Martha Abara
Maureen Ogu
Regina Akaronye
Regina Akubudike
Ogadi Anyaele
Augusta Egwim- Bayelsa Queens
Martha Achede- Confluence Queens
Chinyere Ndu- Delta Queens
Charity Ifenko- Ibom Queens
Anong Bernadette Zang- Pelican Stars
Kome Williams- FCT Queens
Faustina Ugwuadu- Ibom Unity Queens
Lawrencia Nnadieto- Pelican Stars

Midfielders

Gloria Iroka
Celina Akide
Ngozi Dialla- Inneh Queens
Onyinye Ohaduoha- Oladimeji Tigress
Ogonna Chukwudi- Inneh Queens
Ada Ella- Confluence Queens
Ejoke Atubele- Capital Queens
Jacinta Onuoha- Pelican Stars
Nkechi Amadi

Attackers

Ngozi Onwubiko
Kelechi Gideon- Bayelsa Queens
Helen Azi- Capital Queens
Chinyere Afor- Bayelsa Queens
Oluchi Ogbonna- Ibom Queens
Ogochukwu Atube- Unattached
Ngozika Ebere- Ibom Queens