Bayelsa Queens FC of Yenagoa on Wednesday in Asaba defeated Rivers Angels FC 4-2 on a penalty to lift the 2023 Federation Cup at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.
Bayelsa Queens, who are the Federation Cup defending champions, retained the trophy via a penalty shootout after the match ended goalless after regulation time.
Speaking after the match, Rivers Angels assistant coach, Chinwe Anwuri described the match as a balanced game in which both teams showed their class as top teams of female football in Nigeria.
“You will agree with me that the match was balanced. Both teams gave their best and we saw good football.
“We have played Bayelsa Queens several times before. We have equally beaten them before.
“We could have won the game within the regulation time, but it happened that the game went into penalty and like you know, penalty is a game of luck.
“So, today, it went the way of Bayelsa Queens, so I say good luck to them”, Anwuri said.
Also speaking, the Bayelsa Commissioner for Youth and Sports Dr. Daniel Igali described the victory of the Bayelsa Queens as a gift from God
He said the team was prepared coming into the final in their quest to win the cup as a compensation for the loss they suffered in the NWFL super six finals.
“Today is a day of joy to us in Bayelsa. Coming here to lift the cup is a source of great joy and fulfilment.
“This trophy is a blessing to us most especially with the recent heartbreak the team suffered losing the super six and the tragedy that befell our supporters club.
“This trophy is a compensation to us and we are dedicating it to the memory of those four supporters of the team that died”, Igali said.
Also in an interview, captain of Bayelsa Queens, Uzoamaka Igwe said the victory of the team was well deserved.
“We played good football today. We deserved to win and I am happy we were victorious.
“We are the defending champions, so we came here to take the trophy back home and I am glad we did just that, “Igwe said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that notable sports personalities and dignitaries watched the game, among them is the President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau.
