NWFL Premiership: Emem Essien eyes Europe move after a terrific season 

By Saheed Afolabi

Edo Queens forward, Emem Essien has set her target in securing a move outside the shores of the country.

The prolific goal scorer won the Naija Women Football Awards Player of The Season after leading the Benin Ladies to their first NWFL Premiership title in grand style.

The striker is excited to be part of the history making players to win Edo Queens first major title which will lead them to the continental charge as the striker admitted she had a torrid regular season before changing the narrative positively with her performance in the Super Six.

She however, signalled the encounter against Nasarawa Amazons as her toughest game.

“I feel so great to be among the players to win the league title for Edo Queens which hasn’t been too easy but I thank God that we came out victorious this time because I do always make a statement that Rivers have gone, same with Bayelsa Queens and Delta Queens and it’s actually our turn,” Emem told Nigeriafootball.ng exclusively.

“The whole season wasn’t cool with me because I wasn’t expecting, I will come back to play in this tournament again with the way the team went in the first round and the second round but I’m happy to come back and play and be the best player of the season. I’m grateful.

“My toughest game should be Nasarawa Amazons, they were the toughest team I played. I noticed their five and six had the experience of covering the little space I had. Their defense gave me problems and a lot of stress while playing against them.”

The former Ibom winger stated that, former Edo Queens gaffer, Wemimo Mathew pioneered her change of position to left back which Aduku reversed when he came to the club.

“Before Aduku came, it was coach Wemimo that actually took me to the left back position. I’m actually a winger not a fullback. Coach Wemimo took me there and I became one of the best playing that role. Aduku came and observed I had a different mindset of scoring, so he pushed me back to the forward role.

“I saw it coming that I would score as a forward. My target in the Super Six was to score in every match like two or three goals, that’s why I said Nasarawa Amazons were the toughest team I played against because I struggled to reach the goal line talk less of scoring a goal. So my target was to score more goals which I delivered on.

“I believe we will work to get to the continent. Wafu B shouldn’t be what will stop us from going to the Champions League. We are champions here, so we will be champions there.

“My next move is still undecided. I pray this will be my last season at the NWFL Premiership. I pray this tournament and winning the title should take me away from the Nigeria league to Europe.

“Germany have actually come for my service, China too but I have a target and I believe it will come. I have little little challenges but I have a target for the next season.”