…Mighty Wanderers and Thunder Bay for third place
By Ifeanyi Uwagwu
Delta Babes FC of Warri will face Fortress Ladies FC of Benin City in the finals of the ongoing maiden edition of the Defiant Ladies U-17 football tournament today by 4 PM at the Stephen Keshi stadium in Asaba.
Billed as the clash of the best attack and defence of the competition, the Warri-based side have registered 10 goals so far, including their 6-0 mauling of Bayelsa Princesses of Yenagoa on Friday in their opening fixture and the 4-1 defeat of Thunder Bay FC of Kwale on Saturday, to go top of Group B with maximum points. They also boast of two of the three top goal scorers in the competition in Joy Joseph and Happiness Agboye with 3 goals each.
True to character, the Fortress Ladies are the only side in the 6-team competition yet to concede a goal. They beat Mighty Wanderers of Abraka 1-0 on Friday, before putting four past city rivals, Brave Heart to go top of Group B, yesterday.
The Fortresses’ defensive quartet of Grace Ufot, Osahenrumen Erinmwinigbovo, Oseriemen Ogadu and Gift Sunday would be hoping to curtail the barrage of attack that Delta Babes would throw at them today to have a chance at winning the title.
Speaking to newsmen ahead of what promises to be a feisty encounter, the coach of the Benin-based side, Eigbe Odianosen congratulated his team for the impressive defensive displays while mentioning that his side has what it takes to win the trophy.
“I’m glad that my girls are putting what they have learnt in training onto the pitch as we have been focusing on our defensive play for a while now and I am glad that we are reaping the rewards right now. However, in the final we expect Delta Babes to come out firing on all cylinders and banking on home support, but I expect my team to control the game and get the result needed to win the trophy” he said.
Coach Danlami of Delta Babes, in his press briefing, expressed his happiness at arriving at the final, regardless of the score line. He urged his girls to avoid complacency and avoid making unforced errors.
“I thank God for the victories we have enjoyed so far. My message to the girls is to go out there to win, whether by a lone goal or multiple goals, a win is a win, but I also urge them to play their usual game and not allow the pressure to get to them into making unforced errors. By God’s grace, the trophy will be ours”, he said.
In the other fixture of the day, Mighty Wonderers will trade tackles with Thunder Bay Fc for third-place, by 2 PM.
