By Christopher Emenyonu
A brace from Yemisi Samuel on Thursday helped Osun Babes beat their visitors, Pelican Stars in matchday 3 of the 2020/21 Nigeria Womens Premier League.
After a 10-hour postponement from the original scheduled time, the Omoluabi Queens from the blast of the whistle, piled the early pressure on their guests with Yemisi Samuel, Abibat Agbaji, Oleka Ebere, Yetunde Fajobi all combining well in the attack.
The first chance fell to Abibat Agbaji after a through ball from Ebere found her, but the pay attacker shit wide.
The home side had chances after chances in the first 45 but the defence of Pelican Stars marshalled by their captain, Chineye Okafor and goalkeeper, Love Okon stood firm as the half ended in a stalemate.
Knowing fully well a goal was needed, the second half started with an early substitution from Osun Babes as winger, Kafayat Bashiru came on for Yetunde Fajobi.
The change brought an extra bite to the attack as the home started from where they stopped in the former half.
Pelican Stars threatened a few times from counter attacks but the Omoluabi Queens defence stood firm with captain, Sarah Iloduba and Sunday Blessing at its heart.
Fans finally had something to cheer after Yemisi Samuel beat Ayade Ladies’ goal keeper, Love Okon in the air to nod home the first goal of the match.
The goal was protested by the Pelican Stars players and technical crew as they alleged that the ball had not crossed the line but after consultation with the assistant referee on the far side who had earlier notified the centre referee of the goal, the referee stood by his decision.
After much time wasted on the protest by Pelican Stars, the team manager was red carded and sent to to the stands from the bench for disrupting the flow of the game.
Osun Babes continued to ask all of the questions in the attack and were rewarded in the 88th minute when the ball fell kindly for in form striker, Yemisi Samuel who calmly slotted past Love Olin for her second of the day.
The problem was compounded for Pelican Stars in the additional time after captain, Chineye Okafor was sent for early showers for receiving second yellow after being adjudged to have brought down Kafayat Bashir in the box.
Kafayat picked herself up to send the keeper the wrong way as she put icing on the cake for the home side.
Few minutes after, the referee brought the game to an end with the blast of the whistle as Osun Babes crowned thier first home game with three goals, three points and a clean sheet.
Osun Babes now have 6 points from three games and will move up on the NWFL table after the match day fixtures are concluded.
