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Champions! Rivers Angels rise from the ashes to edge Nasarawa Amazons, win 2025 Federation Cup in Lagos thriller

14 hours ago
by Obi Donald
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Rivers Angels retained their grip on the President Federation Cup after edging Nasarawa Amazons 4-2 on penalties in a pulsating final that ended 2-2 in regulation time at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

In a clash befitting the occasion, the two women’s football giants served up a rollercoaster contest before the defending champions held their nerve in the shootout to clinch their record-extending 10th Federation Cup title.

Despite coming in as favourites with a rich pedigree that includes seven Nigeria Women’s Premier League titles and nine previous Federation Cup triumphs, Rivers Angels found themselves stunned in the first half by a spirited Nasarawa Amazons side led by Nigeria U20 coach Christopher Musa Danjuma.

The Lafia-based Amazons, who had already beaten Kwara Ladies, Bayelsa Queens, Sunshine Queens and Edo Queens on their route to the final, started brightly and were rewarded just six minutes in. Rivers Angels’ goalkeeper spilled a routine ball into danger, and Odushola Shobowale pounced to open the scoring.

Shobowale doubled the lead in the 16th minute with a spectacular volley that kissed the crossbar on its way in, silencing the Onikan crowd and putting Nasarawa in dreamland. The attacker’s first-half brace was a just reward for the Amazons’ high-pressing, confident start.

Rivers Angels, however, regrouped after the break and emerged a much-improved side. Ten minutes into the second half, Taiwo Ajibade sparked the comeback, finishing from a clever Polinus Ifeoma freekick.

Then, in the 62nd minute, the comeback was complete. Former Delta Queens midfielder Taiwo Afolabi ghosted into space and calmly slotted home the equaliser, setting up a thrilling finale.

Despite chances for both sides in the final half-hour, neither could find a winner, and the match headed to penalties.

In the ensuing shootout, Nasarawa Amazons blinked first. They missed their opening and third spot-kicks, while Rivers Angels showed composure from the spot as Ifeoma Ikenokwalu, Catherine Kenneth, Tejiri Edward, and Anderline Mgbech all converted.

The final whistle confirmed a 4-2 shootout victory for the Port Harcourt-based club, sealing their 10th Federation Cup title and extending their legacy as the most successful side in the history of the competition.

It was heartbreak yet again for Danjuma’s Nasarawa Amazons, who narrowly missed out on the league title earlier this year to Bayelsa Queens on the final day of the Super 6.

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