NWFL: Rivers to file complaint after Adamawa’s coach accusations
Rivers Angels are set to file an official complaint to the Nigeria Women Football League over accusations of match manipulation made by Adamawa Queens coach, Dadeino Heman, following their 6-0 defeat in Port Harcourt, The NewsNGR reports.
Heman had accused the seven-time NWFL champions of using referees to secure victory despite acknowledging that Rivers Angels possessed superior quality players.
Speaking to The NewsNGR, Rivers Angels Media Officer Faith Meremegbunam confirmed the club’s intention to take formal action against the Adamawa Queens coach.
“The club is on the matter, and we are going to file an official complaint to the league body,” Meremegbunam said.
“That was a strong allegation against Rivers Angels, and as a club, we won’t treat it lightly. How can a coach who admitted that Rivers Angels has more experienced and quality players than her team come out to drop such accusations against seven-time champions of the league?”
Following the NWFL Premiership Matchday 7 encounter at the Adokiye Amasiamaka Stadium, Heman had made serious allegations, claiming that the referee was deliberately favouring the home side and that the match commissioner had instructed officials to ensure Rivers Angels scored more goals.
“Since we’ve been playing matches, I’ve been seeing a lot of things, I’ve never complained. But this one, I have to say my mind, because I don’t use to complain. I don’t like complaining, but I’m not happy with the game,” Heman told journalists post-match.
“I know they have quality players that they can beat us, not until they use the referees. I know they have good players, more than us, but let’s play the game. Anybody that wins wins. I’m not competing with them, but they are using referees very bad.”
When pressed on specific incidents, the coach alleged that the referee was disrupting her team’s attacks and claimed she overheard the match commissioner instructing officials to ensure more goals for the home team.
“Technically, she’s dealing with our players. You will see promising attacks, she will blow. It’s our ball, but she will stop the game and we will restart it again. Technically she’s dealing with us,” Heman claimed.
“And I was here, the match commissioner is communicating with her. I’m listening, I heard what she’s saying. Football will not grow if we continue like this.
“She is giving a message that they should get more goals. I heard it. That is why I met her and said your mission has been accomplished.”
The Rivers media officer vehemently denied the accusations, particularly regarding the match officials’ conduct.
“We never had a penalty in the match against Adamawa Queens. All our goals are clear goals. The highlight is out for all to watch. We won’t allow anyone or a club to rubbish the reputation of Rivers Angels,” she added.
