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In 2022, Heartland Queens were one of the eight teams to make it to the quarterfinal stages of Nigeria's Women's Federation Cup.
Following her superb performance in Heartland Queens' victory in the 2023 edition of the Imo FA Cup, goalkeeper Amarachi Atulayo has stated that it is time for her team to go for the Federation Cup title.
The Nigeria Women's Football League (NWFL) side on Tuesday, secured a hard-fought penalties shootout victory over non-league side First Mahi Babes, to emerge the women's champions of Imo State.
Irrespective of the final of the state cup, both Queens and First Mahi we represent Imo State in the 2023 edition of the Women's national cup.
Atulayo excited with debut game
Speaking on the team's chances in the national competition, Atulayo stated that Heartland can do better than they did in the abandoned 2022 edition.
"I feel truly overjoyed and overwhelmed making my competitive debut and it ended at the podium," the goalkeeper said in a post-match interview.
"I had these mixed feelings about whether I could shoulder the responsibility of manning the post but something in me charged me to brace up and give the task my very best.
"When the main competition starts, we will contest for the top prize."
Women's cup to play host to state champions, runner-ups
In 2022, Heartland Queens were one of the eight teams to make it to the quarterfinal stages of the competition.
The 2022 edition was, however, abandoned at the last eight.
This year would see 72 teams from across the Nigerian federation, participate in the women's event, as well as another 72 vie for the men's cup.
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