Rivers Angels recorded a 3–0 away win over Adamawa Queens in the NWFL Premiership Matchday 5, thanks to a stunning hat-trick from forward Abasiofon Uwah in Makwada. After a stalemate at the interval, Uwah broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, finishing from a Polinus Ifeoma free-kick to put the visitors in front.
She doubled her tally just seven minutes later from another set-piece delivery — this time from Jumia Adebayo. Uwah then completed her treble in the 81st minute, rising highest to convert a corner and seal a dominant Rivers Angels performance. Rivers controlled much of the second half with composure and attacking threat, while Adamawa Queens struggled to respond meaningfully.
Editorial
In football’s grand theatre, there are performances that do more than settle a scoreline they announce intent. Abasiofon Uwah’s hat-trick for Rivers Angels against Adamawa Queens was precisely such a statement a blend of timing, technique and tactical application that not only secured victory, but reaffirmed her team’s title credentials in the NWFL Premiership.
What was compelling about this match was not merely the statistic of three goals, but the manner in which they were crafted. Uwah’s first came from a meticulously struck free-kick a moment of precision amidst the ebb and flow of a tight first half. Seven minutes later, she mirrored that execution from another set-piece delivery, a testament to Rivers Angels’ strategic acumen in dead-ball situations. And when she rose above her marker to meet a corner for her third, it was a reminder that elite forwards do not merely score they impose themselves on the narrative of the game.
Beyond individual brilliance, this result underscored a broader theme emerging in the Premiership the increasing competitiveness and sophistication of Nigeria’s women’s top flight. Rivers Angels’ display was composed, disciplined and unafraid to seize control qualities that have eluded clubs striving for consistency in recent seasons. Their performance in Makwada was a microcosm of a side blending experience with ambition, and Uwah, with her clinical finishing, now stands as the embodiment of that synthesis.
For Adamawa Queens, the defeat invites reflection rather than collapse. In a league where margins are fine and opportunities fleeting, resilience will be the currency that shapes their response. For Rivers Angels, the challenge now is to sustain this momentum to translate the promise of Matchday 5 into the durable success that defines champions.
In the evolving tapestry of the NWFL Premiership, performances like Uwah’s are not anomalies they are harbingers — signals that the league’s best are crafting stories worth following.
Did You Know?
- Rivers Angels have won multiple national titles, including the 2025 Nigeria Women’s Cup, and are one of the most successful women’s clubs domestically.
- The 2025/26 NWFL Premiership expanded its format, featuring 19 teams this season in Nigeria’s top women’s football league.
- Uwah became the first player this season to score a hat-trick, highlighting her standout role early in the campaign.
- Dead-ball expertise is a key Rivers Angels strength, with both of Uwah’s first two goals coming from set-piece situations.
- Matchday 5 action saw several away victories, underlining the competitive balance in the league and the growing significance of road results.
