Osun Babes have gone through to the NWFL 2024/25 Championship play-off alongside host Pelican Stars who joined Honey Badgers, narrowly escaping upset to ensure their place in the Sunday showpiece with one more team set to join them.
Pelican Stars played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Heroes Queens who have claimed their first point of the tournament to send themselves into relegation play-offs.
Heroes Queens who remain winless in three outing so far in the competition made a much needed rotation to the starting squad and it did paid off, going ahead in the 13th through Ebube, it was their second goal of the tournament.
Pelicans did get their chance to score, coming close few minutes after the first goal when a free-kick near the edge of the box was waywardly sent off target.
They were rewarded when their attacker connected to a free-kick beyond the reach of Heroes goalkeeper to level the score, 1-1 game on.
The score ended 1-1 going into half time.
Pelican got the contest back up and running at the UJ Esuene Stadium upon second half resumption, taking the lead through Mbetobong Johnson after connecting to a wonderful cross at the edge of the box to send the home crowd agog.
Aishat Bolarinwa who got Heroes first goal was then introduced by coach Azeez Mustapha as they pushed for an equalizer.
Heroes then returned back in the mix with a stunning leveler through Jude Ebube to tie the score 2:2.
This is the first time in a game that Heroes Queens will be scoring two games in a game since the tourney kicked-off.
The draw was enough for Pelican who edge Imo Strikers with just a point to finish top of their group.
Elsewhere at the St. Patrick ground, First Mahi Babes fell to Imo Striker Queens in a 2-4 score-line.
Osun Babes then took on Gallant Queens, both teams level on point as they battled for top spot of the group.
High-scoring Osun Babes who are yet to concede so far in the Championship took the lead in the early minutes of the first half, they dominated but couldn’t get a second goal due to Gallant Queens goalkeeper heroics.
Gallant Queens looked the more determined side in the second half and they were rewarded for their resilience with a goal of their own.
Both sides kept pushing but it was Gallant who got a goal in the closing minutes of the encounter but it was unfortunately ruled out for offside.
Game ended 1-1 with Osun Babes going through on goal difference.
Ibom Angels are in action against Chosen Generation Angels for final spot as Papa Soccer and Unification FC engage in fierce derby.
Three teams set for NWFL Premiership play-off ticket are: Honey Badgers, Pelican Stars, Osun Babes.
