Rivers Angels are on the brink of another Fed Cup win as they beat Pelican Stars 2-0 thanks to Evelyn Nwabuoko's 56th minute sizzler and Stella Mbachu's late penalty strike.
The opening exchanges saw the Calabar girls running rings round Rivers Angels, with the trio of Esther Sunday, Chimebere Opara, Uche Kalu in charge. The young starlets, Opara and Uche really showed guts in dribbling Elizabeth Addo and Gloria Ofoegbu respectively.
Sunday almost put Pelican Stars ahead with a seventh-minute rocket but she was denied by Whyte Ibubeleye.
The lively Uche was all over Rivers Angels defence line led by Cameroon international Cathy Bou. Her entertaining style and dribbling skills made Area 3 fans crave for more.
Another exciting component was Chimebere who restricted Addo for the entire length.
A 26th minute free-kick by Blessing Edoho was excellently saved by the busy Whyte. Her opposite number, Alaba Jonathan, was also called to action, after Rebecca Kalu and Asisat Oshoala combined to release the reliable Evelyn Nwabuoku.
The first half was well dominated by Pelican Stars, but they refused to take their chances.
Rivers Angels were then forced to go on the defensive as Pelican Stars looked to hit them on the counter, with Uche also testing keeper Whyte before Sunday set up Chimbere, whose 20-yard shot went just inches wide.
It was Rivers Angels who went the closest before the break, when Evelyn combined with Mercy Amenze on the left, with the latter smashing the ball before it was dealt with by Pelican's defence.
After the break, Whyte kept out Sunday's low drive before Evelyn drew the curtain raiser following a goalmouth scramble in the 56th minute.
Old reliable, Stella Mbachu sealed the win late in the second period, an 88th minute penalty after Blessing Edoho was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
Nigeria international Whyte Ibubeleye, who made several point blank saves, was elated to have been a part of the winning side on Wednesday.
“The win was important to us. I'm happy we scaled through despite an average first half," she said.
On the final match against Nasarawa Amazons, the young goalkeeper is confident of her team's armoury to retain th Fed Cup.
“In Rivers Angels, we fear no foe. The match in Lagos will be taken with all seriousness. The ultimate is winning the cup," she declared.
Other semi final
Bayelsa Queens 0-1 Nasarawa Amazons
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