2023 Women’s Federation Cup Final: Bayelsa Queens vs Rivers Angels preview

By Saheed Afolabi

Defending champions, Bayelsa Queens will lock horn with Rivers Angels in the final of the 2023 Women’s Federation Cup at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Wednesday June 21.

The Nigeria Women’s Football League Premiership giants will face off for the fourth time in 2023 in a rematch of NWFL Premiership Super Six clash at the same venue two weeks ago.

To reach the finals, the Prosperity Girls defeated Edo Queens 1-0 in the semi-final to reach their eighth Federation Cup final following a 9-0 quarterfinal triumph over Lakeside Queens.

On the other hand, The Jewels of Rivers didn’t find it easy against Nasarawa Amazons in the semifinal as they fought hard to snatch a 2-1 win in Akure. The victory came after a 1-0 Round of 16 win over Osun Babes 1-0 before a 3-1 triumph on penalties over Delta Queens to book their 12th Federation Cup final.

Bayelsa Queens will be hoping on playmaker, Flourish Sabastine, Glory Edet, Chiamaka Igwe, Etim Edidiong and Mary Aderemi to make the difference for them as they chase their second title in the nation’s oldest cup competition.

Rivers Angels rock solid defender, Akudo, Edafe Mamuzo, Blessing Okpe, Alvin Dah-Zossu, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu and Adaobi Okah will be spearheading the Jewels of Rivers bid for a ninth title in Asaba.

The last time both sides met in the Federation Cup two years ago, the Prosperity Girls thrash Edwin Okon’s side 5-0 to eventually go on to win the title at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin.

It was a fiery contest in their last meeting at the NWFL Premiership Super Six in Asaba as a lone goal in advantage of Bayelsa Queens from the spot separated the keenly contested tie.

In the last three meeting between both sides, Bayelsa Queens came top winning the last three outing and and scoring five goals in the process with Rivers Angels scoring just one goal.

Rivers Angels hold the record of the most titles won in the Federation Cup as they have won it eight times, coming second three times and tasted glory last in 2018.

On the other hand, Bayelsa Queens have won the Federation Cup title once in their history and taking the runners up position on six occasions.