Rivers Angels kicked off their Nigerian Women’s Football League (NWFL) 2025 campaign with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ibom Angels in a tense South-South derby on Wednesday evening.
The thrilling encounter at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium was filled with unexpected twists, defensive errors, and a late winner that sealed the game for the nine-time league champions, Footballrover reports.
Defensive blunders define Rivers Angels vs. Ibom Angels clash
The PH Angels, under the new leadership of coach Tosan Bob Blankson, dominated early proceedings and quickly demonstrated why they remain a powerhouse in Nigerian women’s football.
Their early pressure paid off when a swift counterattack forced an Ibom Angels defender Helen Daniel into an own goal after a poor clearance.
However, Rivers Angels couldn’t maintain their lead for long.
A costly defensive mistake saw one of their defenders Joy Micheal deflect a cross into their net, levelling the score at 1-1 just before halftime.
Despite the defensive lapses from both teams, the match remained tightly contested, with both sides battling for control.
Ifeoma’s late strike saves the day
As the clock ticked down, the search for a winning goal intensified.
The Garden City side finally broke the deadlock in the 78th minute when Ifeoma Ikenokwalu fired a powerful free kick that deflected off the Ibom Angels’ wall and found the back of the net.
The goal secured a hard-fought victory and handed coach Tosan his first competitive win with the team.
Despite integrating 14 new players into the squad, the Jewels of Rivers showed resilience and determination.
However, the team appeared slightly uncoordinated, a sign they are still working to build chemistry.
Their next fixture will be crucial in proving whether they can maintain this winning momentum.
A promising start for Rivers Angels
For the current FA Cup champions, this narrow win over their visitors is a significant step toward reclaiming league dominance.
While the performance exposed some defensive vulnerabilities, the Simplified Queens’ ability to grind out results under pressure signals they are for serious business this season.
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