Sunshine Queens battle Rivers Angels as race for Super Four enters home stretch

It is just two games to the end of the 2016/17 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) season and there is no dominant team in Group B, which is expected to produce two teams for the Super Four play-off later in the year. And so the battle for the ticket has taken another dimension as all the top four clubs have equal opportunity to pick the tickets.

But Group A looks settled with Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens already confirmed to finish in the top two cadre. Nasarawa Amazons (22 points) and Delta Queens (22 points) are under pressure to maintain their positions as Adamawa Queens (20 points) and Osun Babes (20 points) continue to pile more pressure on both teams.

And so the battle for the coveted tickets continues today with Sunshine Queens taking on Rivers Angels. Sunshine Queens’ third position is under siege as they prepare to take on Group A leaders Rivers Angels at the Akure Township Stadium. Rivers Angels have 22 points, while Sunshine Queens are eight points adrift the Port Harcourt side.

The Owena Mermaids are yet to lose a home game and nothing shows any of the clubs have got the antidote against them at home. In Owerri, Heartland Queens will host Bayelsa Queens at the Federal Polytechnic Pitch, Nekede.

The Owerri side, who are at the foot of the Group A standings, have been left with no choice than to win all their remaining matches in order to beat the drop.

Abia Angels will host Ibom Angels in a game that would determine their chances of survival at the Umuahia Township Stadium. Pelican Stars of Calabar will entertain Group A leaders, Nasarawa Amazons at the U.J Esuene Stadium.

The Amazons will seal qualification for Super Four if their rivals Delta Queens, Adamawa Queens and Osun Babes falter. Seven-time league champions, Pelican Stars will also like to prove a point that they are no pushovers. They would give the away side a tough time.

Another potentially thrilling encounter is the match between Adamawa Queens and Delta Queens at the Atiku Abubakar Stadium in Fufore. Adamawa Queens are in third spot with 20 points with one game in hand while Delta Queens lie in second position with 22 points.

This means that a win for the Yola team will spell doom for Delta Queens, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Pelican Stars in a week 12 game in Kwale.