Dannaz FC Ladies’ midfield dynamo, Akintola Olawunmi Daniella, has opened up on how her side defied the odds to hold defending champions Edo Queens to a 1-1 draw in their Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership Matchday 4 encounter at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Wednesday.
The result shocked many NWFL followers who had predicted an easy three points for Edo Queens, given their status as defending champions and one of the league’s strongest teams. However, Dannaz FC Ladies, a relatively young squad in the top flight, put up a resilient performance to frustrate the visitors and claim a crucial point.
Edo Queens started the game on the front foot, dominating possession from the first whistle. Their aggressive approach paid off in the 18th minute when Goodness Osigwe finished off a well-worked team move to put the champions ahead. The early goal seemed to set the stage for a comfortable victory.
Despite their early breakthrough, Edo Queens struggled to convert their dominance into further goals. The visitors spent most of the first half camped in Dannaz FC’s half, pressing high and keeping the Lagos-based side under pressure. However, their finishing let them down as they squandered several clear-cut opportunities.
Dannaz FC, on the other hand, struggled to create chances in the opening period. They were forced to defend deep and relied on their backline to keep the scoreline at 1-0 going into halftime. It was a tough battle, with the home side showing remarkable discipline to prevent Edo Queens from extending their lead.
The game took a dramatic turn in the second half as Dannaz FC made tactical adjustments. Coach Tolu Onayemi’s decision to switch from a four-defender setup to a more aggressive three-defender formation proved to be a masterstroke. This change allowed Dannaz to take control of the midfield and reduce Edo Queens’ dominance.
With more players pushing forward, Dannaz FC gradually gained confidence. They started winning more duels, cutting out Edo Queens’ attacking moves, and launching their own counter-attacks. The champions, who had looked comfortable in the first half, suddenly found themselves under increasing pressure.
The turning point came in the 70th minute when Dannaz FC won a free kick just outside the penalty area. Omotoke Ogunfunwa stepped up and delivered a stunning strike from 20 yards, sending the ball past the Edo Queens goalkeeper and into the net. The Mobolaji Johnson Arena erupted in celebration as the home fans cheered the unexpected equalizer.
With 20 minutes left on the clock, the game became an open contest, with both teams pushing for a winner. Edo Queens tried to reclaim the lead, but Dannaz FC held firm, denying them any clear chances. At the other end, the hosts also had a few promising attacks but couldn’t find a second goal.
As the final whistle blew, Dannaz FC players celebrated their hard-earned draw like a victory, while Edo Queens left the pitch disappointed. The defending champions had expected to leave Lagos with all three points but were instead forced to settle for a single point.
Speaking after the match, Akintola Olawunmi Daniella expressed her pride in her team’s performance. “Yeah, it was a tough game, but our determination and belief in ourselves made the difference,” she said. “We had our chance, and we converted it. That’s why we were able to get a draw against a very good side, a CAF team.”
She also revealed how Edo Queens had underestimated Dannaz FC before the game. “They told us they were going to score five or six goals against us, but we showed our toughness. Even though we are a smaller team, we proved that we could fight. I’m happy they left disappointed,” she added.
Despite the draw, Dannaz FC remain in sixth place in Group A with four points. However, Akintola insisted that her team is still targeting a top-three finish to qualify for the Super Six. “We are not giving up. We will keep fighting because we believe we can make it,” she stated confidently.
For Edo Queens, the result means they remain unbeaten in the league, but they have now drawn two consecutive matches after winning their opening two fixtures. They currently sit in third place with eight points, trailing Nasarawa Amazons (nine points) and league leaders Remo Stars (ten points).
The defending champions will now have to regroup and find a way to convert their dominance into victories. Their inability to finish off games has become a concern, and their coach will likely focus on improving their attacking efficiency in training.
Meanwhile, Dannaz FC will take confidence from this performance as they prepare for their next match. Their ability to hold their own against one of the best teams in the league shows that they are capable of competing at the highest level.
The NWFL Premiership continues next Wednesday with Matchday 5 fixtures. With the fight for top-three positions in both Group A and Group B intensifying, every point will be crucial in determining who advances to the Super Six.
Dannaz FC will hope to build on their momentum and climb up the table, while Edo Queens will be looking to return to winning ways and keep their title defense on track. The battle for supremacy in the NWFL is heating up, and fans can expect more thrilling encounters in the coming weeks.
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