CAFWCL: Naija Ratels Congratulates Rivers Angels After 'Important Win' Against Hasaacas Ladies

 

CAFWCL: Naija Ratels Congratulates Rivers Angels After 'Important Win' Against Hasaacas Ladies. 

Newly promoted NWFL Premiership side, Naija Ratels FC have commended Nigeria's representative at the CAF Women Champions League (WAFU B) Qualifiers Rivers Angels for winning their opening game against Ghanaian Women Football League Champions, Hasaacas Ladies on Saturday at the Stade Robert Champroux Stadium, Abidjan.

Burgeoning midfielder Deborah Abiodun and Player of the match Maryan Ezeanagu scored in the 17th and 54th minute respectively to give the NWFL Premiership Champions a 2-0 victory over their opponent. 

The win on Saturday means Rivers Angels will sit ontop of the log after one game and face AS Police Ladies of Niger Republic on Tuesday evening at the same venue. 

President of Naija Ratels, Barrister Paul Edeh In a congratulatory message  hailed the team for keeping concentration all through the match to earn a massive three points in the game. He urged them to keep pushing hard and get one of the tickets for the Champions League proper later this year.

"It is with great pleasure that I Congratulate Rivers Angels on their victory over Hasaacas Ladies. I am particularly delighted at the confidence, discipline, team-work and indomitable spirit displayed by the players in Abidjan.

"We at Naija Ratels urge them to keep believing in themselves and give their best in the remaining matches. 

Rivers Angels will battle AS Police of Niger Republic on Tuesday and a victory for them will ensure qualification for the Semi-final of the WAFU B Qualifiers for the maiden edition of the  CAF Women Champions League.

AiteoCup: Pillars Collapsed As Sunshine Stars Seek Glory ln Semis

 

AiteoCup: Pillars Collapsed As Sunshine Stars Seek Glory ln Semis

Sunshine Stars resilience has once again paid off as the competition's defending champion were sent packing courtesy of Sadeeq Yusuf lone strike.

Having suffered a setback in the midweek of Nigeria Professional Football League where they were held 0-0 by ambitious Katsina United, Deji Ayeni tutored side enjoyed sweet victory over fellow NPFL campaigners.

Sadeeq Yusuf’s 48th-minute strike for Sunshine Stars ensured the Akure-based side book a spot in the semi-final of the 2021 Aiteo Cup.

The goal was enough to eliminate defending Champions, Kano Pillars from the tournament after the departure of Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa for Turkey this week.

 

Elsewhere, Fortune Omoniwari also scored the crucial goal as Rivers United edged Niger Tornadoes 1-0.

After a 1-1 scoreline, Bayelsa United defeated Gateway United 5-4 on penalties while Silas Nwankwo scored the winning goal as Nasarawa United pipped Gombe United 1-0.

Sunshine Stars will face Nasarawa United in the semi-final while Rivers United square up against Bayelsa United in the second semi-final game.

 

FIFA President, CAF President Storm Lagos For Aisha Buhari Cup

 FIFA President, CAF President Storm Lagos For Aisha Buhari Cup

ORGANISERS of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament have confirmed the presence of the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, the CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, FIFA General-Secretary, Fatma Samoura, and other world football dignitaries at that the Six-Nation Invitational Tournament which kicks off in Lagos from September 14 to 20, 2021. 

This information was confirmed by the NFF President, CAF Executive and FIFA Council Member, Amaju Pinnick, to the tournament's Director of Organisation, Aisha Falode.

An estactic Falode, stated that, the presence of the football bigwigs at the tournament will simply attest to the high regards these personalities have for Nigeria’s First Lady. 

She added: "Their attendance is in line with the football body’s programmes of growth, commercialisation, marketing and rebranding of women's football, which of late have seen issues affecting the game receiving global attention at every forum. 

“The FIFA strategies for the Women’s Game are captured in its five-point agenda : "Develop And Grow On And Off The Pitch, Showcase The Game and Improve Women’s Competitions, Communicate and Commercialize, Broaden Exposure and Value, Govern and Lead, Strive For Gender Balance, Educate and Empower, Build Capacity and Knowledge."

Falode stressed that: “FIFA and CAF are deeply involved with various programmes on empowerment, leadership and governance among the women folks. The leadership of these football bodies have sunk huge intervention fund in various programmes directed at the women and these interventions are in tandem with the Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari’s pet NGO project ‘Future Assured’ with its central theme on Girl-Child Empowerment. 

The football showpiece which is in honour of Nigeria’s First Lady, Her Excellency, Aisha Buhari, would have in attendance women football powerhouses in Africa namely, hosts Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Mali and Morocco. 

“The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France was a masterpiece of cumulative efforts by the world football body to bring to the fore the women game and every other things concerning women."

The Director of Organisation added that: "The acceptance of the world and African football bigwigs to be part of the Aisha Buhari Cup is a mark of respect for Nigeria’s indefatigable First Lady and also honour and recognise her various activities and contributions in and outside Nigeria over the girl-child advocacy and empowerment programmes," said Aisha Falode who is the Chairperson, Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and foremost broadcast journalist.

 

Naija Ratels Boosts Squad With Attacking Duo Ahead Premiership Season

NWFL Premiership side, Naija Ratels have completed the signature of the attacking duo of Ojo Oluwatofehinti and Unogwu Deborah from NWFL Championship side, Oasis Ladies of Lagos. 

Ojo Oluwatofehinti and Deborah Unogwu were key to Oasis Ladies success in the NWFL Nationwide season and all played a germaine role as the Surulere based side defeated Royaltoms International in the final of the maiden edition of the Eko Queens Soccer Championship.

Naija Ratels President, Barrister Paul Edeh, who spoke at the unveiling ceremony, believe that the duo will bring in alot of productivity and competition to the team's forward line, admitting that it would only make the team stronger. 

"We are very happy to be unveiling Ojo and Unogwu today after completing their signing from newly promoted Championship side Oasis Ladies. The duo bring to the table their freshness and vibrancy as youngsters who will be moulded by Naija Ratels.

"Signing these players is in line with Naija Ratels policy of signing young players who will be trained and impacted with, the team's philosophy. 

"Both players have great talents on the ball, their productivity is brilliant in terms of goalscoring and assists and that will definitely make the team stronger ahead of the challenges ahead.

"We all know that Naija Ratels is a team with alot of potentials," Unogwu said at the unveiling. "I think I made a great decision to be here and of course it is a step forward in my career. I am really happy and hopefully, I can help the team to win more laurels. I appreciate the Club Chairman, Barrister Paul Edeh, the technical crew and all staff of the team." She concluded. 

On her own part, Oluwatofehinti Ojo said: " This club has always impressed me with their success, as I followed all their games during the Championship season. Just like a line in the team's anthem said 'We are fearless no be mouth e dey show'. The team has no doubt stayed true to those words. The environment is good and am really looking forward to working on the pitch. It's a new challenge for me and one that I feel will be successful." 

"Every player wants to be involved in attacking teams and Naija Ratels are one of the most attacking in the Nigerian women football fold." She Concluded. 

Also speaking Oasis Ladies FC President, Gloria Auta described both Ojo Oluwatofehinti and Deborah Unogwu as priceless and part of the history of Oasis Ladies. 

“Both players are priceless and are part of the history of Oasis Football Club, they were integral part of the team that promoted Oasis Football Club (Ladies) to the NWFL Championship on our first attempt.

“It is difficult to see them leave but this is football players will have to move from club to club.

“We believe they would add significant value to Naija Ratels Football Club and the entire Oasis F.C Family wishes the both of them all the best as they continue their playing career with a reputable team like Naija Ratels Football Club”. 

The two attackers were signed from Oasis Ladies FC ahead of Naija Ratels preparation for the new NWFL Premiership season.

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.