Heartland Queens FC, fondly known as the Owerri
landladies, are setting their sights on a statement-making season in the
2024/2025 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership season. Fresh off
their credible and impressive run to the 2024 NWFL Super Six tournament in
Yenagoa, Bayelsa state last term, the Owerri mainstreams are determined to
elevate their game and secure a podium finish with a continental spot firmly in
their crosshairs.
Rated the fifth-best team in the country, Heartland
Queens have bolstered their squad during the off-season with qualities and are
leaving no stone unturned as they prepare to kick off their campaign. The
Owerri-based side, under the tutelage of tactician Obi Ogbala, have been
buzzing with optimism as they gear up for their league opener against Ekiti
Queens on Wednesday, January 15 in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state.
The Owerri side's new signings and staylites have
expressed their readiness to make an impact on the pitch. Defensive midfielder,
Mary Popoola who recently joined from Sunshine Queens is eager to contribute
her quota to the team’s ambition. Speaking to the club’s media department, she
said:
“I’m quite aware that Heartland Queens made it to the
NWFL Super Six last year, and I’m here to help the team achieve that mileage
again this season. I want to experience the tournament and bring my best to the
squad," she enthused.
Sensational defender, Prisca Nwachukwu, a product of
Imo Striker Queens and a standout performer for Nigeria’s U-17 national team,
the Flamingos, is equally determined to shore up the team’s backline.
“I will work hard in the defense line, and by the
grace of God produce the best results. Clean sheets might be difficult to
predict but we will give it our all and hope for the best,” she affirmed.
And the side's emergent first choice goalie, Amarachi
Atulayo believes that her team are ripe for the podium this time around.
"We took our performance last season to the NWFL
Super Six, our maiden and best record as a team. This time around we want to up
our game to the podium and Africa is the main target.
"I believe we have all it takes to achieve the
landmark with the qualities in the playing rosters and the coaching crew ably
led by coach Obi Ogbala. I'm positive we will achieve our best performance in
this year's league season," said the amiable shot stopper.
Captain, Chimebere Opara shares the optimisms of her
teammates insisting that this year's league season will produce fruits for the
Owerri mainstreams.
"Of course, we are more determined this time
around than ever to contest for the podium after our superlative performance
last season.
"We cannot aim anything less than a podium dance
finish, we have the material, players, coaches and support of our amiable
governor and commissioner to aim for the highest height," said the petite
marks woman.
Heartland Queens’ opener against Ekiti Queens is
expected to be a thrilling encounter as the team look to make an early statement of intent. With a
mixture of experienced players and youthful talent, the Owerri landladies are
poised to deliver exciting football while keeping their eyes firmly on the
topmost prize - a spot at the continent.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, the Queens’
faithful will hope that Obi Ogbala’s tactical acumen and the players’
determination would push them harder to surpass last season’s achievements and
stake their claim among the league’s elites.
Will the Owerri landladies rise to the challenge and
make their mark this season? The answer to the intriguing poser begins in Ado
Ekiti, Ekiti state on Wednesday, January 15.
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