Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt match day heroine, Juliet Sunday has expressed sheer delight that she got the lone goal that gave her side victory in the Federation Cup final against Ibom Queens of Uyo.
Though her side struggled for form in the game and only managed to survive conceding an equaliser, Sunday told footballllive.ng how excited she was, as The Garden City stretched the winning record to eight trophies in the competition.
They are now two titles ahead of former giantesses, Pelican Queens of Calabar as well as four more than the Asaba duo of Ufuoma Queens and Delta Queens.
Sunday was overjoyed, as scored early in the second half as Rivers Angels edge South-South rivals Ibom Angels 1-0 to win the 2018 AITEO Cup Women’s final on Tuesday afternoon.
Ibom Angels went close twice in the 17th minute. First, Uduakobong Peter’s free kick was expertly tipped over by Rivers goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie before Ibom captain Glory Ogbonna headed over from the resulting corner.
That sparked a busy first half for both teams as Ibom’s impressive right back Glory Edet fired over from range in the 20th minute before Rivers striker Rofiat Sule tested Lucky Andy in goal for Ibom at the other end.
Vivian Ikechukwu saw her header ruled out for a marginal offside call while Ibom were denied eight minutes before the half time interval when Emem Essin tucked home a rebound after Edet’s free kick had come off the foot of the post.
At half time, there were thoughts of both teams heading for a stalemate once again after Rivers won the 2017 final against this same opponent on penalty shootouts but the Jewel of Rivers showed instant determination to win it in regulation time after the restart.
Within seconds of getting the half underway, Sule who used to play for Bayelsa Queens was gifted a golden chance to put Rivers ahead but she was twice denied; initially by Ibom goalkeeper, Andy before her rebound was cleared off the line by Abidemi Ibe.
They were not to be denied less sixty seconds later as Juliet kept her composure to finish with aplomb at the far post after Nku’s corner kick fell to her.
Ibom Angels almost draw level late on but Unyime Johnson’s header was cleared off the line by substitute defender Mary Ologbosere as the Edwin Okon coached side held on for their precious victory.
That provided the final act on the game with centre referee Foluso Ajayi calling time on the final after one minute of stoppage time.
Afterwards, Sunday, who got her second goal in two matches, said: ‘I am excited, I am happy. I feel on top of the world. Thanks to God and all my teammates, as well as my coach.”
