Angels in titanic battle in Yenagoa for AITEO Cup
Cup holders, Rivers Angels and Ibom Angels will clash today at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa in the finals of this year’s AITEO Women’s Cup. It is a replay of last year’s final, in which the Rivers team overcame their opponent to lift the title.
The champions overpowered Bayelsa Queens in Enugu 2-0 in the semi-finals, while the girls from Akwa Ibom saw off the challenge of Edo Queens at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.
The women’s final comes 24 hours before the men’s battle, where Rangers International of Enugu and Kano Pillars slug it out at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba for the coveted crown.
Coached by Whyte Ogbonda, the Ibom Angels have earned the respect of the average women football follower, having stretched Rivers Angels in last year’s Final in Jos and generally showing consistency on the domestic scene.
No doubt, their ‘star woman’ today would be defender Glory Ogbonna, who has become an integral part of the Super Falcons squad and is one of the principal reasons Ibom Angels are making their second successive appearance in the AITEO Cup final. She commands a solid defensive set-up and ensured her side has not conceded in this year’s competition.
They also boast the precocious Emem Essien, a winger with so much promise and potential, as well as strong defender Fehintola Mabokanje.
Cup holders Rivers Angels are certainly not coming to Yenagoa to admire the riverine landscape. Coached by former Super Falcons’ chief-in-the-dugout, Edwin Okon, the Angels have won the National Cup (which became AITEO Cup last year following the acquisition of the competition rights by AITEO Energy Group) more than any other club in the land and are looking to
The girls from Garden City represent an array of some of the best performers in women football in the country, and names like Evelyn Nwabuoku, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Rofiat Sule easily strike a note in that sector.