Football

Akinwande, Gift Premiership absence huge – Osahon

FC Robo Queens head coach, Emmanuel Osahon has said he sorely missed the absence of duo, Habibat Akinwande and Gift Monday in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership tie against Royal Queens.

The two players are presently with the Nigeria senior women’s team, Super Falcons in Turkey for the on-going Turkish Women’s Cup (Alanya Gold City Cup).

The Lagos side won 3-1 the NWFL Premiership matchday 6 clash against the Warri side at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Lagos on Wednesday.

Osahon said however that he always thinks ahead with a robust programme that assigns roles and responsibilities to the entire team.

“The absence of the duo, Habibat Akinwande and Gift Monday cannot be quantified, we missed their services dearly but you need to train others to step in whenever such occasion presents itself.

“Like I always tell people in FC Robo Queens if Monday did not score keep your ears open other players will score but their absence is greatly felt.

“I knew just two hours to our game at Confluence Queens in Kogi that the duo would not participate in the game.

“Though we had our chances in that game, we took it but it did not work out perfectly for us but this very match against Royal Queens we thoroughly planned for it,” said Osahon.

Osahon expressed his delight over the win, insisting that the opponents gave his side a good, high-quality challenge.

“I’m the happiest man on earth right now following this hard fought victory against Royal Queens.

“This team went to away and they performed creditably, I mean Royal Queens, I knew they are good side.

“I’m seeing them for the first time but for them to go and play a draw with Pelican Stars in Calabar, and there must be youthfulness on their side.

“On our part, I have a 15-year old playing in this league so the teams are evenly matched in all aspects.

“Besides, they players on both sides know each other and worth, too as some of them are Lagos girls who never had opportunity to play the game.

“Having the opportunity to play they know whom they are playing against as well as the worth, that’s key to the stiff opposition among them, said Osahon.

FC Robo Queens have now moved to the third spot on the 14-team top-flight log on 12 points, three behind leaders Bayelsa Queens.

Story by Humphrey Njoku

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