Bolaji Olamide targets Flying Officers Cup glory with Osun Babes

 

Osun Babes midfielder Bolaji Olamide has told the Flying Officers Cup Media that she only has her sight on winning the Pre-season Championship after her team progressed to the Semi-finals on Monday afternoon..

Bolaji, who was voted 'Player of the match' after a superlative performance in their 2-0 win over young and determined side Royal Queens, said she looks forward to her team getting to the finals and winning the competition.

"Our game against Royal Queens was a very difficult one, we had alot of opportunities, but failed to take them. They were all over us at a time, putting pressure and aiming to score. Am happy I could help my team' get to the Semi-finals and hopefully we would be in the finals.

"I am hopeful and with the squad we have, we can go all the way to do something special. I am optimistic, so is my teammates and everyone in the team.

Osun Babes are participating at their first Flying Officers Cup Pre-season Championship and would be playing their Semi-final game on Friday.

The team won their first game against Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens by 2-1, played a 1-1 draw against FC Robo Queens and their last group game against Bayelsa Queens ended goalless.

Flying Officers Cup 2021: Osun Babes, FC Robo Queens dislodge Royal Queens, Naija Ratels to seal semifinal spots

Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership sides, Osun Babes and FC Robo Queens qualified for the semi final of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup after recording victories over Royal Queens FC and Naija Ratels FC in the first two quarter final games on Monday.

The Omoluabi Queens as Osun Babes is fondly called edged Royal Queens FC 2-0 in the first quarter final match.

Osun Babes started the game dominating possession before getting the first breakthrough of the game.

Ebere Oleka in the 18th minute converted from the penalty spot to give Osun Babes the lead after Bolaji Olamide was brought down inside Royal Queens penalty area.

Royal Queens FC of Warri tried to equalise after going behind. Rosemary Adesina in the 23rd minute was well positioned but played the ball far wide.

Oleka after the half hour mark almost doubled Osun Babes of Osogbo lead with a header but her attempt went wide despite Royal Queens dominance.

In the 79th minute, Osun Babes had a free kick in a promising area after Alvine Dah Zossu was brought down near Royal Queens penalty area.

Bolaji Olamide fantastically scored the resultant free kick to double Osun Babes lead.

FC Robo Queens also replicated Osun Babes score line with a 2-0 triumph over Naija Ratels FC in the second quarter final game.

The game started in an end to end scenario as both teams showed their intentions early in the game.

Naija Ratels goalkeeper, Ohia Doris brilliantly punched out a volley from Esther Onyenezide in the 26th minute.

Twelve minutes later, Ohia Doris again made what could arguably be the save of the tournament as she leaned backward to save a ball looped by Taiwo Lawal.

FC Robo Queens resumed the second half in a dominating fashion having the lion share of ball possession and dictated the pace of the game.

In the 58th minute, Folashade Ijamilusi gave FC Robo Queens the lead from a very close range.

Aminat Bello in the 76th minute tried to shoot towards goal for Naija Ratels FC but her effort went wide off the post.

Four minutes from full time, FC Robo Queens took an advantage position to double its lead as Oladipo Shukurat took a shot from outside the box which rolled inside the net of Naija Ratels.

Two more quarter final fixtures will take place as Edo Queens face Sunshine Queens while Confluence Queens and Nasarawa Amazons trade tackles for the remaining two semi final places up for grabs.

|Monday, 18th Of October (Quarter Final Results)|

* Royal Queens 0 Osun Babes 2

* FC Robo Queens 2 Naija Ratels 0. 

Wednesday, 20th Of October (Quarter Final)|

* Confluence Queens Vs Nasarawa Amazons (10am)

* Edo Queens Vs Sunshine Queens (1pm)

Flying Officers Cup Day 5 Wrap: Nasarawa Amazons, Edo Queens dominate; Royal Queens, Honey Badgers Share Spoils

 

The first game of the day between Royal Queens of Warri and Honey Badgers of Makurdi ended in a 1-1 draw.

Honey Badgers came from behind to pick an important point against Royal Queens on thursday morning, in the first game of the day 5 of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup. 

In-form teenager Atume Doosur got one back for her side in the 69th minute, after Ayo Arowokeye had scored for the 'Canadian geese' in the in the 54th minute, through a rebound that came from Vera Samuel's free-kick.

Royal Queens FC with four points from two games occupy the first position in Group A ahead of Honey Badgers FC (2 points), Ghana Police Ladies FC (2 points), and Naija Ratels FC (1 point).

The second game of the day from Group C ended 1-0 in favour of SGH Sports Academy Amazons over WACO Ladies.

Damilola Adebayo in the 59th minute scored the lone goal of the match for the Lagos based side. She outsmarted Best Funmilayo, shooting with her left foot to beat experienced goalkeeper, Abani Osinachi.

Confluence Queens seat at the top of Group C with six points from two games followed by SGH Academy and Sunshine Queens with three points apiece while WACO Ladies are without a point.

In Group D, Edo Queens scaled through Lakeside Queens defensive solidity to secure a 3-0 win with the three goals coming in the second half.

After having majority of ball possession without breakthrough, substitute, Emem Essien headed in a beautiful cross from Rebecca Ajimuda in the 60th minute for the Obaseki Ladies first goal of the game.

Emem Essien scored her second goal of the game in the 91st minute for Coach Wemimo Mathew's side before completing her hat-trick in the 93rd minute.

Nasarawa Amazons scored two goals in the second half to subdue Danaz Ladies FC 2-0.

Mercy Idoko in the 53rd minute gave the Solid Babes the lead from a very close range.

Substitute, Ayatsea  Hembafen doubled Nasarawa Amazons lead before goalkeeper, Chukwu Uchenna saved a penalty for the Amazons in the additional minutes of second half.

Edo Queens with a maximum of six points from two games occupy the first position in Group D while Nasarawa Amazons with three points moved to the second position ahead of Danaz Ladies FC (3 points), and Lakeside Queens (0 point).

The last group matches will hold tomorrow from 8am, with Royal Queens and Ghana Police Ladies playing the first game of the day. Honey Badgers and Naija Ratels will battle it out by 10:30am, while Osun Babes will play their last group games against Bayelsa Queens. Prince Kazeem Eletu and FC Robo Queens will play the last game of the day. 

|Thursday Result|

Royal Queens 1 Honey Badgers 1

SGH Academy 1 WACO Ladies 0

Edo Queens 3 Lakeside Queens 0

Dannaz Ladies 0 Nasarawa Amazons 2

| Friday Fixtures | (All at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja).

Group Fixtures ,15th Friday October 2021

Royal Queens Fc v Ghana Police Ladies -8am

Honey Badgers Fc vs Naija Ratels -10.30am

Osun Babes Fc   v. Bayelsa Queens Fc -1pm

Prince Kazeem Eletu Fc vs FC Robo Queens -3.30pm

Flying Officers Cup: Olowookeere wants Naija Ratels to start taking chances

 

Naija Ratels Head Coach Bankole Olowookeere says he feels no pressure despite losing to Royal Queens on Matchday three of the Flying Officers Cup. 

Naija Ratels played a barren draw with Ghana Police Ladies on the opening day and went on to lose narrowly to fellow Premiership side, Royal Queens on tuesday evening.

The Ratels will now meet Honey Badgers on Friday, in a game they must win to proceed to the next stage of the tournament. 

However, Olowookeere is remaining calm and believes he is not under any pressure to win the tournament, stating that Pre-seasons are meant for you to build your team and make them stronger ahead of the new season. 

'We have been playing so well, but not taking our chances. It clearly means that we still have a long way to go. We need to keep getting stronger in every department, and that's the reality we need to face. 

'I don't feel any pressure. It is about getting it right and preparing the team well enough for the league and the future. I know a lot of people expect us to have done better, but at the end of the day, we would keep pushing and improving as a team."

Naija Ratels FC got promotion to the NWFL Premiership in 2021 after winning the NWFL Championship season and also got to the Semi-final of the 2020 Flying Officers Cup, where they lost to Nasarawa Amazons via penalties.