Nasarawa Amazons, the Women’s Football Club of Nasarawa State, have won this year’s Women’s President Federation’s Cup title, formerly known as the FA Cup, after overcoming Heartland Queens of Owerri 6-5 on penalty shootout in a thrilling finale that kept supporters and fans on the edge till the final kick which stood at 1-1 apiece at the Late Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, Delta State, on Saturday afternoon.
The Amazons recovered from a shock 1-0 deficit at half-time after Chizoba Johnson gave Heartland the breakthrough, to level the score at 1-1 courtesy of substitute, Adaobi Judith, in the 65th minute after benefitting from a goal area scramble.
A nervy penalty shootout ensued where nerves of steel saw Nasarawa Amazons prevail 6-5 to lift the coveted trophy.
The win overturned the heartbreak of last year’s final, where they lost 2-4 on penalties after regulation time had ended 2-2 versus Rivers Angels of Port-Harcourt, separately, in Lagos.
This year’s triumph marks the Club’s third FA Cup title in nearly two decades, after achieving the feat in 2005 and 2019.
Jubilation erupted among the large Nasarawa State Government delegation, supporters and fans of the Amazons both at the Late Stephen Keshi International Stadium and across Nasarawa State and beyond after the team won the spot kick session in tiebreaker.
The Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, alongside other prominent indigenes and stakeholders of the State, led celebrations for the team’s resilience, grit and historic achievement.
Governor Sule who spoke to the players during the Half-Time via phone from Texas, United States of America where he is currently on a short holiday, had urged the team to go all out to lift the trophy and make the State proud.
He then wrote “Masha Allah! Congratulations, the Champions of all Champions!!”, on the Nasarawa United WhatsApp Platform shortly after the end of the match’s live text commentary, applauding the team’s players, technical crew led by Danjuma Christopher, management, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, State Football Association, key stakeholders and supporters for bringing honour to the State.
His Deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, joined in celebrating the achievement, describing it as “laudable and remarkable.”
Leader of the Nasarawa State Government Delegation to Asaba and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, in his post-match interview with the media, thanked God for the feat achieved by the State-owned Women’s Football Club, congratulating them and appreciating Governor Abdullahi Sule and the good people of the State for the achievement.
He said, “We return all the glory to God Almighty for what we have achieved today.
“We thank our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, for his sustained support and encouragement for talent and sports development in the State.
“Any success is a product of hard work, commitment and dedication. Let me commend and specially appreciate the players, technical crew, management members led by the Chairperson, Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman Nagogo, and entire staff of Nasarawa Amazons for bringing pride and glory to Nasarawa State and her people.
“The Amazons Chairperson is a strong and very committed mother who continues to break barriers to achieve success.
“As a Government, we are going to celebrate everyone of the Club’s member who made this achievement today possible.
“I know our Governor very well and what he is capable of doing, especially when it concerns excellence, hard work and competence.”
Kwanta disclosed that Governor Sule would host the victorious Amazons upon his return to Nasarawa State, and promised a befitting and memorable reception for the team.
