Owerri – Coach Obi Ogbala of Heartland Queens FC hailed Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma’s directive to win remaining matches as the driving force behind his team’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Rovers Angels FC in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) 2026.
Speaking to sports journalists at Dan Anyiam Stadium on Wednesday after the midweek clash, Ogbala called the result a major morale booster. “His Excellency asked me to win my remaining matches, and I’m pleased to deliver,” he said.
“We worked hard for this, and the result shows. The league is a marathon – we’ll keep pushing until the end. This win boosts their confidence for what’s ahead.”
The Owerri Landladies, eager to shake off a humiliating 5-0 loss in the first leg, started with fire.
Just five minutes in, after an early corner, Monica Matthew (No. 4) unleashed a scorching long-range shot for 1-0. Pressure mounted, and in the 16th minute, Umejiaku Oluebu nodded in a sharp header from a left-flank cross to make it 2-0.
Rovers Angels fought back, pulling one back with a surprise header from a Salihu corner in the 26th minute, ending the first half 2-1.
The second half saw relentless action: Heartland Queens dominated but missed a penalty in the 18-yard box when Samson Faith (No. 10) blazed over. Despite late chances, the hosts held firm for the win. Ogbala assured fans the team won’t rest, vowing to sustain the momentum in the grueling league race.