Amaewhule Snatch Late Victory For Pelican

Amaewhule Olinachi made sure Pelican Stars got their first victory of the season in the Nigeria Women Premier League on Saturday with a dramatic last-gasp penalty in a 1-0 win over COD Ladies.


The forward stepped up one minute into time added on to convert a penalty awarded for a foul on Remilekun Omamuli in the box.

Olinachi coolly slotted the ball past Ganiyat Mohammed in the COD goal to jubilation among the fans at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

The former champions had been desperate for all three points to set themselves up as challengers after trauma of going through financial problems.

For the young COD team, it was a defeat that left them disappointed after they played a good game away from home.

In a dour first half which produced few real scoring opportunities, Pelican Stars striker Omamuli got the first shot at goal after twelve minutes but Mohammed held firm.

COD also had chances with midfielder  Blessing Okpe hitting a shot on target after 23 minutes, quickly followed by Precious Oyagbarha combining with the lively Chimebere Opara who was denied by Mohammed.

Pelican Stars pushed forward after the break with an angled ball from the tricky Chimebere into the box escaping Omamuli, marked closely by Grace Aaron on 58 minutes.

With 10 minutes to go and boosted by cheers from the stands, Pelican Stars had a chance to break the deadlock but it was a futile adventure.

With the clock ticking, Omamuli's effort went straight into the hand of the COD goalie.

But there was drama in store when the match referee pointed to the spot in favour of Pelican Stars at injury time.

Amaewhule stepped up to convert the result spot kick and handed her side their first victory of the season.

The result was a message to the Cross Rivers State Government to pay the backlog of salaries and sign-on fees of the girls.

Pelican Stars Starters: Omotolani Oladunjoye 1, Okwudili Anita 30, Chioma Gilbert 2, Nnena Okogbua 20, Hodo Williams 18, Precious Oyagbarha 17, Amaewhule Olinachi 11, Umeh Maureen 16, Chimebere Opara 8, Ugorgi Chiaka 7, Omamuli Remilekun 28 Moses Pato 25, Honesty Essien 29

COD Ladies Starters: Ganiyat Mohammed 1, Obioma Bella 19, Patience Dike 3, Ann Kono 24, Grace Aaron 5, Mary Ibadin 6, Blessing Okpe 10, Rafiyat Aweda 15, Opeyemi Adesina 23, Silvia Moka 15, Agams Nkechi 8