The first phase of the Zenith Bank Women's League rounded off late Sunday in Abuja with the 16 teams already showing signs of how far they can go this season.
Reigning champions First Deepwater and First Bank clubs have taken leads of the two groups going into the second round. Both teams won all their seven matches played to prepare themselves for the next phase holding in Asaba by May. Deepwater which played in Group A overcame the challenges from Sunshine Angles, GT 2000, Customs, FCT Angels and AHIP Queens. They also defeated rookies Taraba Hurricanes and Coal City Queens.
The First Bank team cut down Plateau Rocks, IGP Queens, Benue Princess, Delta Force and Oluyole Babes and Nigeria Immigration teams.
But close on the tail of the two teams are Dolphins who lost only a game to the bankers. Like the top two, the young Dolphins are looking ahead to the next stage of the competition. The Dolphins coach Ochuko who spoke with The PUNCH midway into their return journey to Lagos said the exposure and calculations of the events in Abuja would help guide the team towards Asaba.
She said, "It's been good so far. But we you cannot judge so early comparing our performance to that of last year because we joined that them only in the last phase. We have seen it all in Abuja and can now say we can stand any opposition. Every new game takes a different turn but we are very sure of making the Final-8 play offs.
"What we are not sure is exactly what position to finish at the end of the phase but we are surely going to fight for every game, every point until the last buzzer."
Sunshine were shocked by the Customs after dominating them for the last three seasons but they stand on the second spot in Group A behind Deepwater. Going by their past record, they look good for the play offs unless they slip heavily in Asaba. GT 2000 coached by Oche Omuh is the surprise team for now. They beat Customs to the third spot in that group to add to the drama expected when both teams clash at the next stage.
