FAVOUR THE SAVIOUR: Delta Girls Clinch Gold in female football Penalty Drama.
By Azuka Chiemeka.
Oparanyanwu Favour was the standout hero as Team Delta’s female football team clinched gold at the 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games Ogun 2024, after a gripping 7–6 penalty shootout victory over the Invited Junior Athletes.
The highly anticipated final ended goalless in regulation time, but it was anything but dull. Team Delta, who had lost 1–0 to the same opponents in the group stage, came into the encounter with redemption on their minds and showed tactical discipline throughout.
Delta thought they had scored the opener midway through the second half, but the centre referee ruled the goal offside a decision that sparked protests from the bench and fans, who felt it should have stood.
With no winner after 90 minutes, the match went into penalties.
The shootout stretched into sudden death, and it was goalkeeper Oparanyanwu Favour who rose to the occasion. She saved two decisive spot-kicks to hand Delta a dramatic 7–6 victory.
Speaking after the match, Favour dedicated the victory to the Delta State Sports Commission Chairman and her teammates, attributing the win to their unity and belief.
“This medal is for our Chairman, the entire Team Delta family, and everyone who believed in us,” Favour said. “It was not easy, especially with the kind of unsupportive audience we faced, but we stayed focused and got the result.”
Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Hon. Onoriode Oborevwori, could not hide his excitement. He described the encounter as the highlight of the entire festival, praising the team for their composure and resilience under intense pressure.
“I had to leave the VIP section and join the crowd because it felt like a continental cup final,” Oborevwori said. “The tension and anxiety were overwhelming, especially knowing that the entire stadium supported our opponent, But our girls stood strong, held their nerves, and delivered. I’m extremely proud of them.”
With this victory, Team Delta continues to dominate the medals table at the Gateway Games.
As of Monday, May 27, Delta leads with 86 gold, 53 silver, and 70 bronze medals, totaling 209.
Bayelsa State follows with 56 gold, 39 silver, and 47 bronze medals (142 total), while hosts Ogun State are third with 49 gold, 39 silver, and 47 bronze medals (135 total).
Rivers State is fourth with 48 gold, 38 silver, and 44 bronze (130 total), and Edo rounds out the top five with 46 gold, 78 silver, and 70 bronze medals totaling 194.
Delta’s triumph in female football adds to their growing dominance at the festival and strengthens their pursuit of retaining the overall champions’ title.
