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In-form Patience Kalu scored twice to ensure Nigeria Women Football league Champions, Rivers Angels, edge visiting Abia Angels 4-1 in a Match Day 12 played on Thursday.
The match played at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium saw the league champions produce a dominant display, scoring three un-replied goals with their visitors only able to muster two attempts on target in the first half.
Kalu opened the scoring for the hosts in the 12th minute when her brilliant volley went beyond the reach of the visitor’s goalkeeper.
The former Under-20 international then got her brace in the 27th minute in a sensational fashion. She curled the ball home directly from an in-swinging corner kick which went past everyone inside the crowded box to double the hosts’ lead.
Two minutes later, Abia Angels Nnamdi Nnaigwe came close to pulling one back for her side but Tochuchukwu Oluehi was on hand to smother the attempt.
The visitors were forced to make a substitution in the 40th minute when first choice goalkeeper, Omini Moleye picked up an injury which meant substitute goalkeeper Ganiyat Mohammed had to take her place.
Rivers Angels continued to mount pressure on the away side which resulted in an own goal from Aluba Ogba who inadvertently put through her own goal just before half-time.
The second half was a different scenario as the visitors had the host team on their toes, picking two corner kicks in less than 10 minutes of the restart.
Oluehi was then tested by Abia substitute Vivian Ikechukwu in the 62nd-minute with a fierce shot from the edge of the box but the goalkeeper was equal to the task.
It, however, didn’t take long for Alice Ogebe to make it 4-0 in the 62nd minute as Angels took control of the game.
In the 86th minute, Favour Emmanuel pulled one back for Abia Angels which turned out to be a scant consolation as the Jewel of Rivers secured their maximum points to go top of Group A on goal difference.
Angels’ winger, Patience Kalu after the match said her target was to actually get a hat-trick.
“I am actually happy because we impressed our fans today being our last home match,” Kalu, who also scored in Angels’ last game at FC Robo said.
“I thank God for giving me two goals even though my target was to get a hat-trick but it didn’t come but I’m still glad for the goals I scored,” she added.
Rivers Angels will next play Sunshine Queens of Akure on July 26, their last game of the 2016/2017 NWFL season.