Sunshine Queens suffered a disappointing start to their Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) campaign on Wednesday, falling 1–0 to FC Robo of Lagos in front of their home fans at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure.
Despite a bright opening 15 minutes in which the Queens dominated possession, the visitors gradually grew into the game.
Sunshine Queens goalkeeper Bright Etim produced several impressive saves to keep her side level, but FC Robo eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime through Marvellous Oladuni, who headed in from a corner kick.
The hosts made tactical changes in the second period in search of an equaliser, but their efforts fell short as FC Robo maintained their defensive discipline to secure all three points.
The home defeat, which comes at the very start of the season, has already sparked concern among supporters who expected a stronger showing from the team.
Olokunboye Alani, one of the fans at the stadium, criticised the team’s preparation and performance.
“It’s been a long time since we watched a live match here. The management must give us a team that will make us happy,”
“Yes, it’s the first game, but if we can’t win at home, how do we hope to survive in the NWFL? This is not the best the management can offer.” he said.
Another fan, who declined to be named, lamented the poor matchday organisation and the lack of motivation among the players.
“The management are being misled, and we wish them luck, some people built a team for a year, you sacked them, disbanded them and you bring in people from retirement, people with no pedigree or readiness to lead the team, we are watching, this is not criticism, but the fact,”he said.
The Queens will need a swift response as pressure mounts early in their campaign.
