AITEO Cup: Olowookere Looking Forward To Experience Great Moment.

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AITEO Cup: Olowookere Looking Forward To Experience Great Moment.

Naija Ratels Manager, Bankole Olowookere is Keen on experiencing great moment in the AITEO Cup, as they face Edo Queens in the second round of the oldest Football Competition on Thursday at the Lokoja Township Stadium. 

The 'Ratels' won Tin City Queens 5-1 on Sunday in the first round of the Competition and will now face a more experienced side, Edo Queens and surely wants to come out victorious. 

The Federation Cup (AITEO Cup) is Nigerian oldest tournament with a huge history to its name and the Nigeria Women U-17 Coach wants to make history in the competition with Naija Ratels.

"It's something we want to do, we are looking forward to a great match with a very good team" Olowookere said. 

"Edo Queens have quality players and am sure they would give their all against us. It is true that we as a team wants to make history, it has to do with alot of hardwork and dedication on the pitch.

"For us, it's process and we will keep pushing for greatness as a United team, we know we would have to do more than ordinary to defeat Edo Queens on thursday and I think we are mentally and psychologically ready for that." He concluded. 

Naija Ratels were recently crowned Champions of the NWFL Championship and will face Edo Queens this thursday for the first time since meeting them last year November at the Flying Officers Cup.

Osun Sports Festival To Produce Future Stars, Over N100m Set Aside For The Carnival

 Osun Sports Festival To Produce Future Stars, Over N100m Set Aside For The Carnival 

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State on Tuesday unveiled Osun Sports Festival.

Speaking on behalf of the governor at a press conference in Osogbo, the state capital, Osun Commissioner for Youths and Sports Festival, Mr Yemi Lawal revealed that the state had concluded plans to hold Osun Sports Festival (OSF), a 31-sporting-activity designed to positively channel the energy of youths in the state.

 

 

The festival would also be used to identify budding talents with the aim of nurturing them to stardom.

 

Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat on to herald the sports festival, the Commissioner stressed that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola believed in the talents of Osun youths and saw a the need to channel their energy towards the development of the sports in the state.

 

 

Hon. Lawal said the sports festival which would feature about 31 sporting events would be taken round the state in a bid to discover and harvest new and budding talents so as to channel their energy towards positive use.

 

According to him, “It has been the focus of the present administration under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to develop sports at the grassroots, the festival will be taken to all the nooks and crannies of the state.

 

 

“Because of our alliance with the National Youth Policy, the festival will give all youths between the age of 15 and 29 the opportunity to showcase their sports prowess and those that are identified will be trained and nurtured to national and international prominence.

 

 

“The festival will parade athletes in 31 sports which will include athletics, football, tennis, volleyball, boxing, weightlifting among others and it will be held in three phases of Local, Zonal and State. All local government areas will present at least 100 athletes at the festival which will climax by the last week of August.

 

In a welcome address, Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode said the present administration sees sports as a catalyst for development in the state.

 

 

Egbemode who was represented by the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation, Bar. Mrs Bukola Aderibigbe said Governor Adegboyega Oyetola believes that the energy of the youths can be channeled through sports for the development of the state.

New Naija Ratels Signing Sofiat Bankole Unveiled, Scores On Debut

 

Newly promoted NWFL Premiership side, Naija Ratels FC have announced the signing of forward Sofiat Bankole from Dreamstar Ladies FC Of Lagos. 

The talented youngster has joined the team last week, but was officially unveiled on Sunday just before Naija Ratels first round AITEO Cup clash against Tin City Queens, at the FIFA Goal Project Package B, Abuja. 

Bankole, who was a key member of the Dreamstar Ladies team that Participated in two consecutive NWFL Premiership seasons, brings with her a bevy of experience and choice at the attack for Manager, Bankole Olowookere and his technical crew. 

The young forward who scored two goals during her debut match on Sunday against Tincity Queens posed with Naija Ratels yellow and green home kit, standing alongside Club President, Barrister Paul Edeh. 

"I am so excited to be joining Naija Ratels FC. 

"It's a dream for me to be a part of this exciting squad and to work again with Bankole Olowookere, who steadily put me through when I was younger at Dreamstar Ladies. I look forward to doing well here and winning more titles with the team', Bankole said. 

"Now is time for a new challenge, Naija Ratels have really impressed me with their success in such a very short while. I really want to be successful here and am sure this is an environment I am looking forward to working in." She concluded. 

In his reaction, Club President, Barrister Paul Edeh said the club will continue with the policy of signing young players and taking them to great heights in their career. 

"We won't stop with our policy of signing young players to the squad. We believe in grooming them and making them achieve greatness here. 

"Naija Ratels will continue improving and will definitely do well in the Premiership. We love to take it one day as it comes." He concluded. 

Sofiat Bankole joined Naija Ratels Officially on Sunday before their AITEO Cup game against Tincity Queens and ended up scoring a brace in Naija Ratels 5-1 bashing of the Jos based side.

NPFL: Am Elated, The Boys Played According To The Game Plan - Ayeni

 

Am Elated, The Boys Played According To The Game Plan  - Ayeni

Ifegwu Ojukwu's goal proved decisive as Sunshine Stars moved out of the relegation zone after an accomplished 1-0 victory over Heartland on a wet Sunday's night at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.

The Owena Whales were full value for the win in the match day 31 contest delayed by three hours to kick off under floodlights at 7pm due to a heavy downpour in Owerri.

Coach Deji Ayeni kept fate with the same line up that defeated Wikki Tourists on match day 30 and they proved worthy with a show of character and tactical discipline to ward off the hosts who were looking to overran them in the early stages.

The visitors came alive from the 10th minute with the Wazobia attacking trio of Fuad Ekelojuoti, Sadeeq Yusuf and Ojukwu creating all sort of problems for the Heartland backline to deal with.

First it took a last ditch slide tackle to deny Ojukwu his first real chance at goal after a lovely team work, while veteran goalkeeper, Chijioke Ejiogu reacted promptly to stop Ekelojuoti from pouncing on the match hero's low cross in the 32' 

Two minutes before the break Ejike's header was parried onto the path of Ojukwu, but his tame effort could not beat Ejioku, then Saliu Suleiman had to intervene with a decisive save at the other end to ensure Sunshine Stars do not trail at the interval.

The Naze Millionaires again tried swarmed the visitors area at the restart, but could only warmed the gloves of Suleiman who stood firm behind a well organised backline marshalled by Kehinde Adeyemi.

Second half substitute, Kolade Adeniji set the stage for the match defining moment when he surged forward with the ball before serving Ojukwu to spin home a cross that was misjudged by Chijioke at the stroke of the hour mark.

Suleiman got pennalised for alleged time wasting 17 minutes from time, however the visitors were relieved to see Heartland fired high from the contentious indirect free kick awarded them inside Sunshine Stars' area.

The Akure landlords did not stop creating and almost put the game to bed with five minutes remaing when Yusuf's fierce effort from an acute angle off Ekelojuoti's diagonal ball strayed to the side-netting. 

Sunshine Stars back line, supplemented by the collective force held firm for the final minutes to secure the win that gave them a leap up to 16th on the log with 33 points.

 AYENI'S POST MATCH QUOTES

 _"Am very elated, the boys played according to the game plan and it really worked. When I came on board I told them our situation is redeemable, the only thing is to get our mindset right for our winning mentality and you can see the result._ 

 _"No team is invincible; we just have to put our best, be ready and play according to our match plan and everything will work out well by the grace of God"_ 

Sunshine Stars will remain in Owerri to battle Kogi United for a place in the AITEO Cup round of 16 on Wednesday, before returning Akure to host Kano Pillars on NPFL match day 32.   

Grassroot Football: Egbedore LG U-15 Kids Emerge AFGRA/OBAAF Cup Champions, Organisers Drum Supports For Exceptional Kids

 

Grassroot Football: Egbedore LG U-15 Kids Emerge AFGRA/OBAAF Cup Champions, Organisers Drum Supports For Exceptional Kids

Ede North Local Government have emerged Champions of the maiden edition of  AFGRA/OBAFF Cup U-15 Football Championship at the mainbowl of Ido Osun High School Sports Complex.

The tournament which is aimed at unearthing future legends was packaged by AFGRA Foundation and sponsored by Otunba Soji Adewusi, a renown business tycoon and philanthropist. The tourney is packaged by GFCC Egbedore under the leadership of Coach Abiona.

The coveted trophy which was won stylishly  by Egbedore Local Government kids was jostled for by teams across Ede-North, Ede-South, Egbedore and Ejigbo. Ede North U-15 kids were spanked by 4-1 by the eventual winner Egbedore Local Government. 

The final match which lived up to its hype is spiced with pep talk and brief lectures by the organisers.

According to the sports financier, Otunba Soji Adewusi who performed the traditional kickoff, the aim of staging the tourney is to secure worthwhile future for the kids. 

"Some of you are talented and you need a veritable platform to showcase your God given potentials. If I decide to donate cartons of indomie and even cash to all of you, I know you will finish it all in no distant time. 

"What we are giving you now if utilised properly will sustain you. Kante was from village like some of you but was nurtured to stardom same way we want to nurture these kids. Even the indigent ones shall be supported academically, I hope the next edition shall be bigger," stated Otunba Adewusi. 

Another brain behind the project, a UK based legal practitioner, Barrister Bob Olukoya harped on the slogan of the foundation 'sport is life', he charges players to stay focus and maximize the opportunity since sports teaches how to win, lose and humble. He stated that exceptional kids shall be supported, "that's what the foundation stands for".

Trophies and individual awards with cash prizes were later presented to winners in the evening where many defied the serious downpour to grace the final. Other dignitaries like, custodian of football in the state Osun Football Association, Club Owners, Journalists, Top Politicians, Coaches, football fans among others were on ground.