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.
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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.
