Rivers Angels Save Season, Win 10th Federation Cup Title in Impressive Comeback

After losing out on the Nigeria Women’s Football League title, Rivers Angels were desperate to salvage their season, with their last chance at a silverware being the President’s Federation Cup. At the end of the first 45 minutes against Nasarawa Amazons in the final, that hope was grim – they were 2-0 down.

The final which took place on Saturday, June 26, 2025, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, began with Rivers Angels dictating proceedings but ultimately falling behind. Rukayat Shobowale found the back of the net for the Lafia-based side early on, in the seventh minute and slotted the ball in for the double, just 10 minutes later.

After going down 2-0 before halftime, Rivers Angels needed to regroup and find a way to stage a comeback in the second 45 and the Taiwos took it personally. Taiwo Ajibade pulled one back for Rivers Angels off a Polinus Ifeoma freekick in the 57th minute. Five minutes later, Taiwo Afolabi levelled for the Jewels of Rivers, pulling them back into the game.

For the remainder of the game, neither Nasarawa Amazons nor the comeback queens Rivers Angels could find another goal, so the game went into penalties.

In the penalty shootout, Rivers Angels beat Nasarawa Amazons 4-2, courtesy of fine showing from goalkeeper Anderline Mbgechi who saved a spot kick and slotted in the decider, to clinch a 10th historic title following previous successes in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2024.

Speaking after leading the Jewels of Rivers to a historic 10th Federation Cup title, Tosan Blankson attributed the victory to tactics.

“Football is played in both halves. We always play better football in the second half. The first is usually to test the opponent. If you see the first change we made at the start of the second half, that is exactly our joker.

We are a very technical and tactical side, After losing the first half 2-0, I knew the game would change.We have some different players on the bench and if we use them in the first half, we may not get the desired result. There is no match we played this season that we did not score at least a goal in the second half. So, our strength is in the second half, just because of the way our recruitment was.”