Heartland Queens follow footstep of male side, win Imo Women's FA Cup

Heartland Queens were made to fight hard as they secured Imo State's Women's FA Cup title on Tuesday, following a breathtaking penalties shootout victory over the non-league side, First Mahi Babes.

The final, played at Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri came on the back of National National League (NNL) side, Heartland securing a 3-0 victory over Eburuaja FC in the men's final.

The exciting women's game saw the scoreline remain goalless at full-time, with the lottery of penalties, banked upon to separate both sides.

While the cup holders Heartland Queens converted their five kicks in a masterly fashion the non-leaguers succeeded in converting only four of theirs as the first kick was saved by the Queens goalkeeper Amarachi Atulayo.

Despite the result, the Nigeria Women's Football League (NWFL) side and First Mahi Babes will represent the state at the national finals expected to kick off in April.

In the men's Federation Cup, Imo's champion and NNL side Heartland, alongside non-league side Eburuaja will play alongside 70 others.

Heartland: five-time Nigerian champions, are three-time time winners of the Nigerian cup having won it in 1988 (as Iwuanyanwu Nationale), 2011 and 2012.

The final of the 2023 Federation Cup is scheduled to hold in May, with the winner of the 72-team national competition, representing Nigeria in next season's CAF Confederation Cup.