Rivers Angels underlined their status as favorites for the 2026 President Federation Cup after a convincing 3-1 victory over Abia Angels to secure a place in the quarter-finals on Tuesday at the Eket Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom.
The defending champions produced a clinical first-half display, scoring three unanswered goals to put the contest beyond the reach of their opponents before the interval.
Coach Tosan Blankson's side took control early and deservedly opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Abasiofon Uwah carved open the Abia Angels defense with a brilliant run before setting up Zainab Oduga, who made no mistake with a powerful finish.
Having provided the opener, Uwah doubled Rivers Angels' lead shortly after the half-hour mark. Ramotalahi Kareem delivered an inviting cross into the box, and the forward applied a composed finish to extend her side's advantage.
The Port Harcourt-based side continued to dominate proceedings and grabbed a third goal just before halftime. A costly mistake by Abia Angels goalkeeper Inyiama Chikamso gifted Kareem the opportunity to get on the scoresheet, and she capitalized to make it 3-0.
Despite facing a daunting deficit, Abia Angels showed resilience in the closing stages. Winner David pulled a goal back late in the game, denying Rivers Angels a clean sheet, but the effort came too late to spark a comeback.
The comprehensive victory highlights Rivers Angels' determination to successfully defend their title. Their attacking efficiency, fluid movement, and ability to punish mistakes will encourage the coaching crew as they prepare for the quarter-final stage.
With another dominant cup performance, the 10-time champions remain firmly on course for a successful title defense and continue to demonstrate why they are regarded as one of the most formidable teams in Nigerian women's football.
The technical dominance and early attacking display from the Port Harcourt side reinforced their status as leading contenders in the competition. This clinical victory ensures their progression as they move one step closer to retaining the coveted trophy. The squad will aim to maintain this tactical precision and momentum heading into the quarter-finals.
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