NWFL: Edwin Okon happy with player’s improvement after win over Delta Queens

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Former head coach of Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, Edwin Okon, says his team, Ibom Angels, is coming up after eight games in the 2024/25 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership season.

The Orange Ladies pipped former league winners, Delta Queens 1-0 during Matchday eight encounter in Uyo on Wednesday.

The former Rivers Angels gaffer is impressed by the gradual progress of his young side.

“In the first place, I just have to thank the founders of the league. It wasn’t an easy match. It’s like a continental game against a team that has represented Nigeria on the continent,” Okon said after the match.

“We are using rookies and they are just growing up. Every game, we are seeing improvements. Out of lack of experience, you can see the chances they are missing. Gradually, they will blend.”

Uwah Abasiofon scored the winning goal for Ibom Angels over the Pearls in the 90th minute, lifting the host to fifth position in Group B, three points from the Super Six Playoffs spot.

Okon is looking forward to their next match against his former side, Rivers Angels next week.

“Majority of them have not played in the Premiership. This is their first Premiership stage this season and I know that keeping them together with greater hard work, we will see better than what we are seeing,” He added.

“Initially, we did not want to compete for titles this season because they are rookies coming from the Championship. Premiership is a very difficult league and for those that have that mentality at that level. We just have to give them more confidence in the second stanza to let them know they can do it. Without the experience, we can see their fighting spirit. I am happy to win the first game of the second stanza.

“This is is gone. We are looking forward to the next game against Rivers Angels in Uyo.”

Okon led Rivers Angels to multiple league titles and guided them to the maiden CAF Women’s Champions League in 2021.

He pleaded with Uyo fans to support Ibom Angels as he built a formidable squad.

“I am so happy with the fans. We want to plead with them to keep supporting us.

“We wanted to build a team that would be at that level in the next three seasons, but after the first stanza, we noticed that the stanza is not huge as we initially thought and decided to fight for qualification. Going forward we just have to look for experienced players to beef up this team.” He concluded.