2023/2024 NWFL Match Day 15: Pride on card as Heartland Queens confront Dannaz Ladies

Posted : 22 April 2024

Heartland Queens will be the illustrious guests of top-flight newcomers and hosts, Dannaz Ladies, in Wednesday's NWFL Premiership matchday 14 game at the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena, which boasts 10,000 seats and is located in the heart of Lagos Island, Onikan, Lagos, formerly known as Onikan Stadium.

The Wednesday game, the last of the regular NWFL Premiership season, will be the second meeting between both sides in the top flight. Their first encounter at the sacred turf of Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri ended in a 2-1 victory for the Owerri mainstreams.

Heading into the official last day matchday actions of the regular season, the sides have experienced mixed fortunes. While the Owerri landladies overpowered last season's nemesis, the Abuja-based side Naija Ratels, 2-1 in Owerri, the Lagos-based side suffered a humiliating 0-3 defeat at the hands of the struggling Oil City side, Royal Queens, in Sapele, Delta state.

The dugouts may end up being largely ceremonial and entertaining for the sides, as little or nothing is actually at stake except for ego and pride.

The hosts are very much safe from the threat of relegation and are outright outsiders for the Super Six parties, while the guests have already cemented the highly prized ticket and are merely chasing a record for the group's top spot position.

Aside from that, the manager of the Owerri side, Obi Ogbala, may not significantly change the lineups against Naija Ratels and will rely heavily on his tested and trusted hard-as-nails rearguards: Ekezie Onyedikachi, Chinyere Iheoma, Kelechi Orgii, Oluomachi Onwere, and Nnenna Williams, to provide the necessary watertight covers for the ever-effective and record-chasing netminder, Uchenna Chukwu.

The bullish attacker who is nicely turning her boots at the right moment, Chinedu Chinaka, is most likely to be called upon to lead the onslaughts for goals and will be aided by the on-field captain, Chimebere Opara, the crafty and nimble-footed Onyinyechi Kalu, and the slippery Nigeria's cadet star, Yetunde Anyantosho.

To provide the guile and option passes in the middle are Oluchi Okwara, Mary Okorie, Faith Samson, and the youngster, Nwabueze Charles.

The Owerri side have already secured passage for their first-ever prestigious Super Six showdown, together with their group mates and leaders, Nasarawa Amazons and Watersmeet side, Confluence Queens.

The Owerri side are second on the eight-team Group A log with 24 points, two behind leaders Nasarawa Amazons going into the last day of the regular season's match.

2023/2024 NWFL Match Day 15: Pride on card as Heartland Queens confront Dannaz Ladies

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