In their season opener, the Rivers Angels’ head coach, Tosan Blankson, said that his squad was forced to adopt the Ibom Angels’ football style.
In Wednesday’s South-South Derby of the 2024–2025 Nigeria Women Football League, Rivers Angels defeated Ibom Angels 2-1.
The game was hotly contested, but Ifeoma Ikenokwalu’s goal in the 78th minute was the game-changing moment.
Both teams scored own goals during the game, with Helen Daniel of the Rivers Angels gaining the lead in the third minute and Joy Michael of the Ibom Angels levelling the score in the eighteenth.
In response, Blankson stated after the game that the Ibom Angels’ tactics had failed them, citing their superior physical prowess over his squad.
He said his teammates were anxious because it was their first time competing together.
Despite this, Blankson added, he praised the work of his team.
“The win is as good as playing Super Six already. The girls have done well.”
The next game for Rivers Angels is an away game in Abuja against the Naija Ratels.
