NWFL Premiership: Obi Ogbala on cloud nine after historic Super Six feat with Heartland Queens

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

head coach of Heartland Queens, Obi Ogbala is happy and elated after his team clinched the Super Six ticket for the first time in the club’s eight-year history.

A 2-1 win against Naija Ratels, their first win over the Abuja-based side in the league sealed a place in the season-ending Super Six.

Ogbala who has achieved a similar feat with Rivers Angels, Pelican Stars, and Nasarawa Amazons is returning to a familiar ground with Heartland Queens to his happiness.

“I feel elated. I started with Heartland Queens back in 2020 and took them to the Premiership. From Premiership to Super Six,” Ogbala told journalists after the match.

“I know I am a Super Six coach. I have done it severally with Rivers Angels, Nasarawa Amazons, and Pelican Stars. I thought it wise to take Heartland Queens to make history. First of its kind for the state and the team. I feel very happy and I have to give kudos to my players. Most especially the management, government, and fans. They really worked hard for us to be there.

“The journey wasn’t that easy but I muscled the courage to make Imolites happy. I know with this, everybody is happy now. It wasn’t that easy but we thank God the management, the Technical crew, my colleagues, and the players did it for us and the backing from the government, distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma rallied round for us to qualify for the Super Six.

“Actually looking at the table and what we want which is victory no matter the goals, we needed that three points. I took them to the league table telling them that our opponents are seventh on the log in the relegation zone which won’t be easy. We played goalless in Abuja. I told them that this match is everything for them but we are going to take it as one of those matches. When they scored that one goal, I knew the fight was on but I had to remind the players about our game plan to double the strength.

“In a contest like this, if you look at the history (past) and bring it to the present. From the Championship, we played a draw with them and then last season we received it hot. I told the players not to allow the past to come to play again. I feel happy that the jinx has been broken.”

Looking forward to the Super Six, Ogbala is taking each game as it comes.

“One thing after the other. We have played the regular season. Now we are in the Super Six. I have never bothered bringing the experience we will have at the Super Six to my players. I told them to let us cross. Now that we have crossed the bridge, we will give a push.” He continued.

“We still have one match to go. Looking at it now, we have 24 points, with the three points taking us to 27. Finally, Nasarawa Amazons and Kogi Confluence are going to play, so one will go down. Either one win, draw, or thereabout. We are looking at picking the maximum point in Lagos to top the group. My eyes are still there irrespective of qualifying for the Super Six.”

The Owerri-based team will end their regular season campaign against debutant, Dannaz Ladies in Lagos next Wednesday.