Rivers Angels’ hopes of winning the 2026 NWFL Super Six title suffered a major setback after they fell to a 2-1 defeat against regional rivals Bayelsa Queens on Wednesday afternoon.
The highly anticipated South-South derby saw the Yenagoa-based side emerge victorious in a crucial NWFL Super Six Matchday Three encounter at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Bayelsa Queens Capitalise on Rivers Angels Errors in NWFL Super Six Clash
Both teams entered the contest under pressure after disappointing results in their previous outings.
Bayelsa Queens had opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Abia Angels before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Nasarawa Amazons.
Rivers Angels, on the other hand, edged FC Robo Queens 3-2 in their opener before being stunned by Abia Angels in their second match.
Rivers Angels started brightly and dominated the early exchanges. They created the first clear opportunity from a corner kick, but the effort drifted past the side netting.
The Port Harcourt side continued to push forward in search of an early breakthrough.
However, despite controlling possession and dictating the tempo, Rivers Angels found themselves behind in the 29th minute.
A well-delivered corner from Doshima Taarnum caused problems inside the box. Goalkeeper Shukurat Bakare came off her line in an attempt to punch the ball clear but failed to make contact.
The loose ball fell kindly to Chiamaka Ezekwugo, who headed into an empty net to give Bayelsa Queens the lead.
The Prosperity Girls held onto their slender advantage and went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Rivers Angels Fight Back but Bayelsa Queens Seal Crucial Victory
The Jewels of Rivers resumed the second half with renewed determination and nearly found an equaliser on two occasions, but poor finishing denied them.
Their persistence eventually paid off in the 58th minute when Bayelsa Queens were penalised for a handball inside the penalty area after Abasiofon Uwah attempted to dribble her way through the defence.
Uwah stepped up confidently and sent goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu the wrong way, calmly converting from the penalty spot to level the score at 1-1.
The parity lasted only five minutes.
Bayelsa Queens responded immediately through Doshima Taarnum, who found the back of the net with a decisive finish to restore her side’s lead and silence the home supporters.
After regaining the advantage, Bayelsa Queens tightened their defence and managed the game effectively to secure all three points.
The defeat means Rivers Angels have now suffered back-to-back losses and remain on three points.
Bayelsa Queens, meanwhile, bounced back from their Matchday Two setback to record their first victory of the competition and move up to four points.