Paulina Ali wants total focus from Naija Ratels as NWPL resumes for final phase

 

Naija Ratels begin a crucial month for the season with the visit of Seven time NWFL Premiership Champions Pelican Stars to the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja on Wednesday.

The 'One Day At A Time' Ladies lost narrowly to the 'Ayade' Ladies in Calabar three weeks ago, through a late penalty kick scored by Bella Obioma.

Clearly, still reeling from that 1-0 defeat in Calabar, Naija Ratels are keen on returning to winning ways as they host the team from Calabar in what promises to be a  mouth-watering encounter.

Start striker Olamide Adugbe, who missed the last game, should be ready for this game, while the duo of Bunmi Oladeji and Motunrayo Ezekiel, who have already missed a chunk of fixtures due to national team assignment are in line to come back to the squad for Wednesday's game. 

Olowookeere's side have eight points and are third on the log of Group A, while their closest rival on the table is Confluence Queens, who would be facing table toppers Nasarawa Amazons in Lokoja at the same time.

Speaking ahead of the crucial encounter, Nigeria National U-20 Women Defender and Captain of the side Paulina Ali feels her team will triumph if they play their own game. 

"If we stay focused, confident and play our own game, then we can get the result we want." Ali told www.naijaratels.com

"This is our first season in the Premiership and usually there is this kind of pressure on us, but we have gone past that. We want to keep winning games and playing like an unbreakable team. We have to keep pulling out good performances week in week out as we have gotten to the final stage of season. 

"We are focused and more determined now. Its just what we have been working hard for." She Concluded.

Olamide Adugbe: A teenager at the forefront of Nigeria women football

Olamide Adugbe has proven to be one of the best players of her age, and is already compared with some of the best Nigerian women footballers. 

The young forward broke into the scene earlier this season, scoring important goals for NWFL Premiership side, Naija Ratels. The Edo-born striker scored one of the best goal in the league on Matchday two against Edo Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. A special goal that earned her side a precious point in Benin, wowing everyone at the Stadium. 

The former Nigeria Women National U-17, Flamingos Star, has scored four goals in just five matches in the top Women Football League in Nigeria (NWFL Premiership). She primarily plays as a striker and sometimes plays from the wing and has proven to be highly effective from both wings. 

She likes to dribble past defenders, has got a tremendous pace and takes great long shot. She gets involved in link-up play as well with fellow teammates Aminat Bello, Blessing Sunday and Motunrayo Ezekiel. 

The 18 year Old special talent also gets into good positions in attack, in order to receive threatening passes from her teammates, lays off defenders and cuts inside with short passes linking up with other attacking players.

Meanwhile, Adugbe has attributed her phenomena skill to Bayern Munich and Polish striker, Robert Lewandowski, who she described as her role model in the world of football. 

Lewandowski is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, and is even considered by many to be one of the greatest centre-forwards of all time. An accurate and efficient finisher with his head and both feet, Lewandowski is a prolific goalscorer and Olamide feels she just want to be like him. 

The young forward also noted that her parents gave her the full supports, from childhood, especially her dad, who was always gifting her soccer balls to play with right inside their living room.

"I started playing football right from when I was a kid." She said.  

"My Dad played a huge role in my career, from when I started kicking the ball. He always gifts me the soccer ball and played it with me. It was kind of weird for some people, because in Africa, the girl-child isn't expected to play football. 

"Then when I started growing up, I started watching Robert Lewandowski. Learnt alot from him, his aura for goals and the way he positions himself on the pitch of play. One day I hope to be as popular as he is." 

Adugbe also hailed her present team Naija Ratels and the Club's President, Barrister Paul Edeh, who have been so supportive since she arrived at the Abuja based club. 

"He (Edeh) has been a  father figure to me and all the players in the team. He regards us as his daughters and that says alot. It is one of the reasons we always put all our efforts whenever we wear the yellow and green shirt of the Ratels."

Adugbe is no doubt, one of the most sought out players in the NWFL Premiership and surely do have a bright future ahead of her.

Olowookeere, Omokwo receive NWPL December Manager, Player of the Month Awards

 

Naija Ratels FC Manager, Bankole Olowookeere and Confluence Queens forward Mercy Omokwo both received their Naija Women Football League Awards for the best Coach and player for the month of December. 

The duo picked up their awards on Wednesday at the Ilorin Township Stadium, just before the NWFL Premiership Week Five game between Confluence Queens and Naija Ratels. 

Mercy Omokwo in the first week of January was nominated for the NWFL Premiership Player for the month of December alongside Abigail Sunday of Nasarawa Amazons and Olamide Adugbe of Naija Ratels. 

The in-form striker scored four goals in December, including a hat-trick against Pelican Stars in week one of the NWFL Premiership and went on to gain over 70% of votes from Women Football experts, thus becoming the first recipients of the prestigious Award for the 2022 NWFL Premiership season. 

Olowookeere won two matches, including a 2-2 draw against Edo Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin. The former Dreamstar Ladies Coach got the accolades ahead of Liadi Bashiru of Confluence Queens and Christopher Danjuma of Nasarawa Amazons. 

Mercy Omokwo after receiving the awards, hailed her teammates and everyone involved in the team for giving her the platform and supports needed to excel. 

"This is the first time I am winning the player of the month award and for me, it is something special. Hopefully I can win more in the future. I am indeed grateful to all my teammates for their great supports and also to the technical crew and management as a whole. I will continue to give my best to Confluence Queens.

Pleased to be recognized, Bankole Olowookeere was also eager to give credit to his players, technical assistants, backroom staff and Club President, Barrister Paul Edeh for their help in allowing the team to perform to a top level. 

"I am just grateful to be part of this wonderful team," he said after receiving the award. " There are no egos in the squad, no cliques, everyone is really a tight unit and that definitely helps us on the pitch. He concluded.

Omokwo, Olowookeere claim NWPL December Player, Manager of the Month Awards

 

Confluence Queens FC star Mercy Omokwo and Naija Ratels FC Manager Bankole Olowookeere have won the Naija Women Football League Awards player and Manager of the month. 

Mercy Omokwo finished ahead of Naija Ratels forward Olamide Adugbe and Nasarawa Amazons Abigail Sunday to win the coveted monthly awards.  

The Confluence Queens forward scooped the prize after some sensational performances in the matches against Pelican Stars and Osun Babes. She netted the first hat-trick of the season against Pelican Stars on Matchday one and went ahead to score the only goal as her team went past Osun Babes in Ile-Ogbo. 

In all, Mercy Omokwo scored four goals in three matches, same as Olamide Adugbe, who also scored four goals in three matches, with fewer number of minutes played. 

In the Manager's category, Bankole Olowookeere edged out Liadi Bashiru of Confluence Queens and Christopher Danjuma of Nasarawa Amazons to win his first Manager of the month awards. 

Seven points out of nine possible gave the Naija Ratels Manager the prestigious awards. His team, Naija Ratels are on top of the NWFL Premiership Group A table with 2 wins and a draw in the month of December. 

The 'One day at a time' Ladies won Osun Babes 2-0 in the first game at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja, before deservedly getting a point in their 2-2 draw against Edo Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin. 

They ended the month on a high with the 5-2 bashing of Adamawa Queens in Abuja. 

A panel of NWFL Premiership experts decided the winners of the Player/Manager of the month awards through a very fair voting process. 

The awards will be presented to the duo on Matchday five in Lokoja.

NWFL announces nominees for Premiership Player, Manager for December awards

 

Organizers of the Naija Women Football League Awards have revealed nominees for the Player and Manager for the month of December.

Three players namely Abigail Sunday of Nasarawa Amazons, Olamide Adugbe of Naija Ratels and Mercy Omokwo of Confluence Queens made the shortlist for the prestigious monthly awards.

 Mercy Omokwo played all three games for Confluence Queens in the month of December, scoring four goals, including the first hat-trick of the season against Pelican Stars on Matchday one. She also went on to score the only goal of the match against Osun Babes, to give her side successive victory in the new campaign. Her team is placed second in group A with two wins and a draw. 

Olamide Adugbe of Naija Ratels is the only player in the league to have scored in all the three games played in December. In all the games, she came in as a substitute, scoring one against Osun Babes on Matchday one, leveled up in Benin against Edo Queens in the 89th minute through a wonderful free-kick and scored two against Adamawa Queens in matchday three. Her team is placed 1st on the log in Group A, with two wins and an away draw. 

Abigail Sunday joined the 'Solid babes' from Sunshine Queens during the summer and has quickly adapted to their style of play. She scored a brace in the game against Osun Babes to earn her side a 4-0 victory over the Omoluabi Queens. Nasarawa Amazons are third in group A, her team recorded two victories in two games.

In the Managers Category, Naija Ratels Bankole Olowookeere, Nasarawa Amazons Christopher Danjuma and Confluence Queens Liadi Bashiru all made the final shortlist for December Manager Of the month. 

Bankole Olowookeere, whose side is new in the league won two of their home games and drew away to Edo Queens in Benin.

The 'One day At A Time' Ladies recorded a remarkable 2-0 and 5-2 wins against more experienced sides Osun Babes and Adamawa Queens at the Area 10 Sports Complex, while on Matchday 2, they succeeded in picking a precious draw at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.  

Christopher Danjuma's side won big in the two  games played in the month of December. The 'Solid Babes' started with a comprehensive 3-0 away victory in Calabar against Pelican Stars and recorded a 4-0 victory in Lafia against Osun Babes. 

Liadi Bashiru of Confluence Queens got off to a 4-0 victory at home to Pelican Stars, won Osun Babes 1-0 at the home ground in his second game, but was held by Edo Queens in his third game at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja. 

The names of nominees was shortlisted by a panel of NWFL Premiership experts, who will also decide the winners on Thursday, 6th of January 2022.

Olowookeere picks positive from Robo Queens loss at Flying Officers Cup

After a 2-0 defeat to FC Robo Queens which effectively ended Naija Ratels FC participation at the 2021 Flying Officers Cup, coach of the Naija Ratels, Bankole Olowookeere is looking ahead of the tournament with the aim of improving his team ahead of the 2021/2022 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership season.

The experienced Manager believes he is heading towards the right direction with his squad and promise to continue assessing the squad and making them stronger.

"It wasn't a bad game for the team. We tried our best to get the desired result but the best side won the game. FC Robo Queens deserve the victory. We just have to work more because that is the major reason for pre season tournaments.

"It's so clear and glaring that our attack have not been converting their chances that we have to work on."

Naija Ratels FC finished fourth in the last edition of the Flying Officers Cup with eight teams and have now bowed out of the 2021 edition with 16 teams at the quarter final stage.

Coach Olowookeere is of the view that the most important thing was the fact that his team maintained its status quo without dropping while also highlighting what he needs to work on ahead of 2021/2022 NWFL Premiership season.

He said: "If we do the Mathematics which is not common in football but part of it, it's still the same position for us because if we had played this tournament with eight teams we would have qualified for the semi final. We now have 16 teams. It's important for us that we didn't drop but maintain our status quo. If the team had converted their chances, we would have been contesting for the final but it is an issue in which we have to take a wholistic look at ahead of next season in the NWFL Premiership."

Naija Ratels FC will play in Group A when the 2021/2022 NWFL Premiership season kicks off alongside Nasarawa Amazons, Confluence Queens, Pelican Stars, Osun Babes, Adamawa Queens, and Edo Queens.

Next season will be Naija Ratels FC's maiden season in the top flight NWFL Premiership after gaining promotion from second tier NWFL Championship this year alongside Adamawa Queens.

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.

Match Preview as Naija Ratels take On Ghana Police Ladies in Flying Officers Cup opener

 

Naija Ratels, led by Coach Bankole Olowookeere are expected to face a top Ghana Women Premier League side, Ghana Police Ladies FC in the curtain raiser for the 2021 Flying Officers Cup.

The encounter will rekindle the Ghanaian and Nigerian rivalry in women's football as Hasaacas Ladies FC earned a bragging rights over Rivers Angels (3-1) the last time a Nigerian side met Ghanaian opposition at WAFU-B Zonal Qualifiers final for 2021 TotalEnergies CAF Women's Champions League.

Naija Ratels FC still basking in the euphoria of promotion to top flight Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership recently and will attempt to do something spectacular when they start a familiar journey in the Flying Officers Cup. 

The Bankole Olowookeere side finished in fourth position during the 2020 edition, losing to Edo Queens in the third place match and will want to improve on that feat by starting its campaign on a positive note against the Ghanaians.

The Nigerian side is harmed with talents like Paulina Ali, Aminat Bello, Emmanuel Blessing, Oyinlola Olamide, and new signings like Sofiat Bankole, Olamide Adugbe, Adesina Itunuoluwa, and Omede Regina to mention a few.

Ghana Police Ladies FC narrowly missed out of the 2021 Ghana Women's Premier League title behind Hasaacas Ladies FC.

The Frank Oswald led team are making their debut appearance at the 2021 Flying Officers Cup and will relish a keenly contest battle with West African neighbors, Naija Ratels FC of Nigeria.

The team's attack force of Juanita Aguadze, Jane Ayieyam, Shirley Dzomeku, and Ruth Appiah are sure to wreck some havoc in Naija Ratels defence line if not well marshalled.

It promises to be a titanic clash at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja by 3pm.

NWPL: Naija Ratels unveil seven new players ahead of new season

Newly promoted NWFL Premiership side, Naija Ratels FC on Saturday unveiled seven (7) new players ahead of the new 2021/2022 Premiership season..

Unveiling the players in Abuja, Edeh said the seven new players, most of them still in their teens, were carefully scouted from the grassroots in line with the traditions and policy of the club. 

The Chairman of the Club also gave a hint on his plans ahead of the new Premiership season, insisting that the club has all what it takes to compete well. 

“Our vision is to discover and groom young players; we discovered these players from our grassroots pre-season.

“My dream is to give these young girls the opportunity to play football, which they have been yearning for,” he said.

The astute Sports Administrator noted that as part of efforts to focus on young talents, an 11-year-old super talented soccer queen was among those unveiled for the team.

“We have a very young player here called Mirabel, she is just 11 years old and she has also been placed on scholarship up to University level; a record for the league.

“We are not only developing the players for the club, but for national teams when the need arises,” he said.

Edeh said other young players would also be placed on scholarships, as part of efforts to ensure the girls combined their budding football career with a sound education.

Earlier, the team’s Head coach, Bankole Olowookere said the team was fully ready for the season, and to ‘ruffle the feathers’ of established teams in the league.

The experienced tactician, who is also the coach of the Flamingos, the national U-17 women’s team, maintained that football was no longer played by big names, but by young dynamic players with a good team chemistry.

He said most of the new signings were from academies, and that his priority was to mould them into a formidable team.

“We have been training hard for the new season and I can tell you that we are not scared of any big name, we are a young side ready to take the league by storm,” he said.

The seven new players unveiled include 11-year-old Mirable Amedu from Naija Ratels academy, Fakiyesi Abisola, and Mbah Chidinma from New Generation Football Academy, Omede Regina from Adamawa Queens.

Others are Precious Daniel (WACO), Sandra Adugbe, Lakeside Queens Academy, and Adesina Itunuoluwa.

Naija Ratels FC is one of the newly promoted NWFL side and would be participating in the third edition of the Flying Officers Cup billed for October in Abuja next month.

NWPL Coaches Heap Praises On Organisers of Flying Officers Cup

Top Coaches in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership have heaped praises on the Organisers of the upcoming Women Football Pre-season Championship, the Flying Officers Cup. 

Some of the Managers who spoke to the Media recently, described the tournament as a good way for their various teams to prepare hard at the highest level, ahead of the beginning of the Premiership season. 

Nasarawa Amazons Head Coach, Christopher Danjuma, whose team participated in the last two editions of the Flying Officers Cup said the tournament has always helped and given his team a clue of what to expect, when the league starts. 

According to the Nigeria U-20 Women National team, the Falconets Gaffer, the Competition offers his team the opportunity to gel better by playing against top teams in a very competitive atmosphere.

"It has always been a perfect way to start the season. The Flying Officers Cup, has become a tradition for Nasarawa Amazons. We were at the last two editions and got to the finals, losing to Edo Queens and Bayelsa Queens respectively. It gives us the chance to get better as a team and that's one thing that has really been helping us." He Concluded. 

Osun Babes will be participating in the prestigious tournament for the first time this year, having missed out of the last two editions and the Head Coach of the side Olayinka Adunola said she is optimistic and looking forward to a fantastic Pre-season Championship in Abuja. 

" No doubt, we have always wanted to participate in the tournament, but am glad that we can this time around. We know the standard of the tourney and understand that we have to be at our best to keep the momentum going until the league starts. We want to have fun on the pitch, at the same time, try some new players and improve as a team everyday. The Flying Officers Cup offers us the platform to do that." She Concluded. 

Bayelsa Queens Head Coach, Moses Aduku said his team will use the tournament to test new players and strategize ahead of the new season. Bayelsa Queens recently won the AITEO Cup and a lot is expected from them in Abuja, but the experienced Gaffer insist it's just a Pre-season Championship. 

"Every Coach wants to win something and add more silverware to the ones they already have in their cabinet. We are going to be ourselves, improve in every game and test the quality that we have and definitely won't put too much pressure on ourselves. I am impressed with the standard of the Competition and no doubt, it is the best." He Concluded.

Sunshine Queens will also be at the Flying Officers Cup for the first time and their Manager, Tayo Onilude is very much excited too. 

"We have been working hard everyday to get the players in shape and against all odds will be giving our best in Abuja. The good thing is that we would be playing against some solid teams and perhaps we would be using different formations and tactics to execute our games, until we get it right. 

For Bankole Olowookere, his team Naija Ratels surpassed so many people's imagination, by reaching the Semi-final of the 2020 edition. His team, then in the NWFL Nationwide, went on to beat teams like Royal Queens, Kaduna Queens and played draws with Edo Queens and Nasarawa Amazons in the third place and Semi-Final games respectively, now in the Premiership, Olowookeere thinks his team will compete better. 

"We did well last year and hopefully, we can do more and play better, he said. The team will continue to improve on its style of play and that is the most important thing for us." He Concluded. 

AITEO Cup finalists, FC Robo Queens of Lagos will also plan to make a grand entry into the Competition this year. The 'Lagos Landladies' have quality players and are looking at competing with the best. The Head Coach and owner of the Club, Osahon Emmanuel also gave a huge thumbs up to Barrister Paul Edeh and Ratels Sports Development Foundation for being consistent with the Pre-season Championship. 

"We are working towards competing against some of the best teams in Nigeria and Africa. This is a while new idea from what we used to have in the past. Kudos to the Organisers as we look forward to having a great tournament. 

The Flying Officers Cup is the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in Africa and this year's edition, the third will see teams from Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic participating.

Naija Ratels embark on preseason tour of Lagos, Osogbo, Akure, Lokoja

 

Newly promoted NWFL Premiership side, Naija Ratels will tour the South-West of Nigeria with matches in Lagos, Osogbo, Akure and Lokoja.

The 2021 NWFL Championship winners have confirmed 12 games as part of their preparation for the Flying Officers Pre-Season Championship and the start of the new NWFL Premiership season. 

The Abuja based side will take on Dannaz Ladies on the 2nd of August at the Agege Stadium, as part of their rigorous Pre-Season schedule, then battle Eko Football Women Selected side on the 3rd of August at the same venue. 

The Ratels will then split the squad in two when they move to the National Stadium, Surulere (Legacy Pitch) On the 4th of August, to play against FC Robo Queens and Oasis Ladies FC, in the morning and evening respectively. 

After the matches in Lagos, the Bankole Olowookere's Ladies will continue preparation with a trip to Osogbo, where they will face Osun Babes FC on the 5th of August at the Osogbo City Stadium, then travel to Akure on the 6th of August to keep a date with Sunshine Queens, before finally ending the tour in Lokoja on the 7th of August against Confluence Queens.

The Head Coach of the side, Bankole Olowookere highlighted the reasons behind the Pre-Season tour, noting that it was necessary for the team to play at different venues so as to quickly adapt to the system of the NWFL Premiership.

"It is important for us to go on this Pre-Season tour, so that the players can all adapt to the various footballing atmosphere. Our aim is to prepare adequately enough and continue to strengthen the squad for future challenges. 

 "As we speak now, the team is set and all the players are in Lagos, getting prepared for training, before we start out with some matches, starting from the 2nd of August. 

Naija Ratels will be participating in the NWFL Premiership for the first time in the 2022 NWFL Premiership season and are currently  the Champions of the second tier league, the NWFL Championship.

Aiteo Cup: Olowookere hopes to create more great moments

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.