Rivers Angels finally opened their 2025/26 Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) account with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Naija Ratels at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

Sharon Onwere’s decisive 55th-minute header sealed the victory, but it was Rivers Angels’ dominance throughout the match that drew attention, Footballrover reports.

Rivers Angels dominate despite narrow scoreline

Despite several missed chances, the Jewels of Rivers showed attacking intent and tactical control, proving that they remain one of the league’s top contenders.

From the first whistle, the Rivers ladies pressed aggressively, with Patience Otubo testing Naija Ratels’ goalkeeper Vincent Mercy within the opening minute.

Mercy’s impressive saves continued to deny Zainab Oduga and Ifeoma Ikenokwalu in the first half, leaving the scoreline goalless at halftime.

Coach Tosan Blankson’s substitutions at the start of the second half added fresh attacking options, but the pressure was repelled once again by Mercy, including a key save from Ijeoma Onweagba in the 51st minute.

The breakthrough came when Onwere rose highest to head home Polinus Ifeoma’s corner in the 55th minute, turning pressure into points.

Coach Blankson praises performance despite narrow victory

In his post-match interview, Blankson maintained a firm stance on his team’s display:

“The team did not struggle. The result just did not reflect the performance of the girls. This match would have ended not less than 7-8-0, if not for the saves and the misses from our girls. But let’s give them the credit; they tried their best. But we played far better, far, far better than them. The result is not what we really wanted, but we got the three points.”

Reflecting on the pressure of a first match after a bye in week one, he added:

“Definitely, in first games like this, there will be this pressure to win by all means. Like I said in my last interview, it will not be easy for us because we didn’t play in week one. And it all showed out this afternoon. But I know from our next matches, we’ll do better.”

On the new players making their debut, Blankson was optimistic:

“They all did very, very well. They will get it right.”

Looking ahead to their next encounter against Pacesetters Queens of Ibadan, Blankson emphasised the challenges ahead:

“That will be a different ballgame entirely. We didn’t struggle (against Ratels). We had chances; we couldn’t convert them. Maybe in Ibadan, those chances will come and we’ll convert them,” he said.

“Definitely, in the next training session, we’ll put those things in play, and we’ll get it right there,” the coach concluded.

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Last Updated on December 4, 2025 6:55 am by footballrover