Sunshine Queens Shine Bright In Umuahia, Cruise Past Fortress Ladies 3–0 in NWFL Championship Opener
2 min read
By Sportsgister
Sunshine Queens FC of Ondo State made a statement of intent at the NWFL Championship Playoffs in Umuahia, brushing aside Fortress Ladies of Benin with a commanding 3–0 victory in their opening match.
The Akure-based side began the game with confidence and attacking flair, dominating possession and forcing Fortress Ladies into defensive errors. Their persistence paid off in the 27th minute when Adenuga Oluwabunmi latched onto a precise through ball from Lolade Akintunde and finished neatly to put Sunshine Queens ahead.
Barely six minutes later, the Ondo girls doubled their advantage. A moment of brilliance from Mistura Olamilekan carved open the defense, leaving Mirabel Irabor with the simple task of slotting home from close range in the 33rd minute.
The second half saw Fortress Ladies attempt a fightback, but Sunshine Queens stood resolute, combining defensive discipline with clever midfield control. Their efforts to put the game beyond reach came in the 66th minute when Bolaji Azeez was brought down inside the box. Precious Edewor stepped up and converted the penalty with calm precision, sealing the 3–0 win.
Despite their dominance, Sunshine Queens endured some tense moments, with Lucky Victory and Lolade Akintunde both receiving yellow cards for overzealous tackles. Head coach Oseni Rafiu responded with tactical substitutions, bringing on Amos Foluke, Adeleke Ganiyat, and Faith Oyewole to inject fresh energy and see out the match.
At full time, the Ondo State–sponsored team celebrated not just three points, but also a clean sheet and a strong message to their rivals in the Championship. Their next test comes against Unification FC of Lagos, a match that will further measure their determination to sustain their winning momentum in the quest for promotion.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
