NWFL MD6: Heartland Queens ends year 2023 on high note with win against Dannaz Ladies 

By Sportgister

… Climbs to top spot of NWFL group A table

A stoppage time goal by petite winger, Chinwendu Orji handed almost panting Heartland Queens the much sought after victory against hard-fighters, Dannaz Ladies in Wednesday’s NWFL Premiership matchday 6 clash at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

Outright and predictably a cagey affairs that turned out to be the make up of the first 45 minutes as chances at goal were scarce on both ends.

The first 25 minutes saw Heartland Queens pinned their guests to their half in desperate search for the match opener with series of throws and free kicks.

Intermittently, the visitors sprang some surprises aimed at rattling their illustrious hosts but the backline were alert to avert any form of damage.

Dannaz Ladies’ Zainab Raji almost stunned the Owerri mainstreams in the 23rd minute but her foot was wrongly guided.

Thereafter, the Owerri side witnessed catalogue of sore misses and the culprits at that occasion were Chinedu Chinaka, Chimebere Opara, Oluchi Okwara, among others to see off the first 45-minute actions.

On resumption, Opara made an instant amend to an early sore miss with a sumptuous goal in the 46th minute ably assisted by bullish and rampaging attacker, Chinaka to give her side a cushioning breather.

The goal brought out the beast in the visitors as they surge forward in their numbers into the vital areas of the homers in search for the equaliser. Dannaz Ladies’ trio, Zainab Raji, Delight Isaac and Omotoke Ogunfuwa were indeed a delight to watch in their attack.

And they were not to wait for long as their efforts paid off in the 76th minutes when in-form forward and tormentor-in-chief, Ogunfuwa beat the Owerri side goalie, Uchenna Chukwu to score for her side the consolation as it turned out to be.

The Owerri landladies pulled out off-colour winger, Onyinyechi Kalu and brought in the eventual match winner, Chinwendu Orji. Faith Samson also came in for the petite midfielder, Joy Enamino.

And when it looked like another draw is on the table, super substitute, Orji out of nothing sprinted passed the Lagos side shots stopper, Selimot Jimoh in a goal mouth scramble to net the match winner to the relieve of her side that have endured back to back draws to Confluence Queens and Naija Ratels.

Heartland Queens dedicates the victory to Imo state Governor, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma who through the commissioner for Youths, Sports and social Development, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo has not relented in offering unwavering support to the team throughout the year, which in turn has yielded a successful footballing year for Heartland Queens and the victory is the team’s way of saying “Thank you”.

Speaking to the club’s media After the 2-1 victory, Okoronkwo hailed the team’s doggedness and team spirit while urging them not to relent in their remarkable performance.

The hard-fought victory takes the Owerri topflights to the top of the group’s log on a princely 11 points same as the challengers, Nasarawa Amazons and Confluence Queens on superior goals going into the festive breaks.

Heartland Queens will on restart of season after the breaks wrap up the first term campaign at Gombe against Adamawa Queens.