Latest News
Rivers Angels coach Edwin Okon unsatisfied with NWFL Premiership bronze medal feat
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
The Head Coach of Rivers Angels, Edwin Okon insists that he never bargained for the bronze medal following a 2-0 win over Confluence Queens in the 2022/2023 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership tie on Sunday.
The Jewel of Rivers required second-half goals from Adaobi Okah and Oghenebrume Ikekhua sealed a 2-0 win for the Jewel of Rivers to earn the third-place triumph at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, on Sunday.
Despite claiming the bronze medal, the 2014 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations winner took positives in returning to Port Harcourt with a medal.
“I didn’t bargain for this but we still thank God at that level. Every team is thorn in the flesh of other teams,” Okon told journalists.
“No team is a pushover as far as this Super Six is concerned even the teams that couldn’t make it to the Super Six are not pushovers. Women’s football has come of age in Nigeria. No team is a pushover at this level.
“I lost too many players to greener pastures and I think I would go back to see how I can fortify the team. What we are trying to do is build up the team and see how we can get back to the top standard.”
Before the third place, Rivers had bowed 1-0 to former holders Bayelsa Queens thanks to Glory Edet’s solitary effort and the manager expressed disappointment over the lack of sponsorship and quality officiating after the title miss.
“I am happy every day. The only way I wasn’t happy was that I am appealing before now. I am one of the oldest coaches as far as the league is concerned,” Okon continued.
“I have been crying for too long for us to get sponsors into the league which will allow government teams to rest. Super Six is the Nations Cup in Nigeria. At that level, everything should be put in place so that whoever comes in.
“Referees are the chief priest. If the Chief Priest can handle their cases very well, nobody would complain at that level.”
This will be the second consecutive season that the Port Harcourt-based side will finish the season in third position after achieving the same feat last season in Benin City at the end of the 2021/2023 NWFL Premiership Super Six.
They will now shift focus on the Federation Cup final with Bayelsa Queens in Asaba on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
