By Femi Atolagbe
Sunshine Queens head coach, Oladimeji Abimbola has assured football fans across the state that his team will keep improving game by game.
He stated this after his team was held to 1-1 draw by Bayelsa Queens in the match day one of the Nigeria Women Football League NWFL played at the Ondo State Sports complex, Akure midweek.
Abimbola disclosed that the game was his side outing after it played a season at the lower league, saying they are just coming together as a team with crop of new players.
“The game was not a bad one for us, will keep improving game by game, I must commend the ladies for their display in the game, they are playing together as a team in a competitive game for the first time.
“With time, the team will blend together, now, we are going back to the drawing board to work on some lapses we discovered.
“Same Bayelsa came here two seasons ago to defeat us 3-0, if not for little distraction we would have won the game.”
Bayelsa Queens technical Adviser, Domo Okara said: ‘Our initial plan was to get all maximum points in Akure, but met a different Sunshine Queens’,
‘We were frustrated by the style of play of the Akure Landladies”
“We will go back home and work on the lapses witnessed in the game to come out better in next match.”
Newly appointed Captain of Sunshine Queens, Suliat Ajibade had converted from a spot kick to put the home side ahead in 18 minutes after Taiwo Ajibade was brought down inside the box in the encounter.
Sunshine Queens were in control of the game and mounted pressure on their visitors with the intent to increase their lead.
Bayelsa Queens were up to the task in dealing with their hosts’s antics in all the departments.
Efforts by the 2021/22 champions to get a leveller with their long balls were well contained by the Sunshine Queens backline manned by Joy Falegan, Kehinde Aganmuyi, Joy Ajah and Divine Onwuchekwa.
The first stanza of the encounter ended 1-0 in favour of the home team.
The restart of the game, saw Sunshine Queens introducing Ezeani Eunice, Ireti Eretan in place of Akwubo Obianuju and Shola Oduwale.
Moment later, Suliat Ajibade, Bolaji Olamide, Divine Onwuchekwa were also replaced by Akintunde Ololade,Mercy Mbachu and Bunmi Adenuga.
Bayelsa Queens got the leveler from their long ball in the 61minutes, while Sunshine Queens were not down in spirit to restore their lead with more pressure on their visitors.
Bayelsa Queens Goalkeeper, on many occasions agonizingly denied Sunshine Queens from coasting home with maximum points.
