Sheroes Cup light up Abuja as 12 teams confirm participation

Organisers of the Sheroes Cup have revealed that the 2023 Sheroes Cup is scheduled to kick-off October 7, 2023 in Abuja.

Already, 12 clubs have confirmed their participation and are expected to take part when the top flight level of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) gets underway, which also serves as pre-season tournament

The participating clubs include Adamawa Queens FC, Bayelsa Queens FC, Confluence Queens FC, Dannaz Ladies FC, Delta Queens FC, Edo Queens FC, Ekiti Queens FC, Naija Ratels FC, Nasarawa Amazons FC, Rivers Angels FC, Royal Queens FC and Sunshine Queens FC.

President, Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barr. Paul Edeh, while disclosing this in a press statement on Tuesday, said this year's football event would be remarkably dedicated to highlight and celebrate the achievements of Nigeria women who are making the country proud globally. 

Tagged; 'Beyond Rhetoric To Action', the RSDF boss said the soccer tournament which is at its sixth edition will also serve as veritable avenue for top teams across Nigeria to prepare themselves before the regular season kicks off in November 2023.

Talking about the essence of the theme for the competition in 2023, Barr. Edeh said, "The contribution of  women and their giant strides and impactful contribution in national development has continued to shape the world positively in the face of the daunting challenges they face in our society. 

"This is why we have carefully chosen the theme for the 2023 Sheroes Cup, which we hope will inspire a paradigm shift in the way we treat women in society.

"The Sheroes Cup Pre-Season Tournament started in 2019 with the sole aim of preparing interested teams for their respective league seasons across Africa. This year’s edition, which is the sixth since its inception, is coming with a bigger advantage to participating teams, which will enhance the preparation of the various teams playing in the NWFL Premiership after a very long break from the field of play. 

"This year’s edition, like the 2022 edition, will see each team playing a minimum of 5-8 games in preparation for the new league season. Two teams with the highest points from group A and B  will qualify to the semi-finals, third place, and final.

"The assurances we are giving all the participating teams is that officiating in the tournament will be equal to none as we are collaborating with the NFF and its Referees Committee to ensure that the officiating is in line with the laws of the game. 

"The winner of the Sheroes Cup 2023 and first runner-up will be entitled to trophies and medals. The third place will be entitled to medals only. All the participating teams are expected to be given brand new jerseys, balls, and other logistics support" 

From 2022, Sheroes Cup, after transforming from Flying Officers Cup, the tournament has been segmented into two participation periods annually, with clubs at the NWFL Championship tier taking their turns on a separate arrangement from the Premiership clubs.

The maiden edition for the Championship clubs happened earlier this year with Imo Strikers' emerging winners.

Previously, Edo Queens, Bayelsa Queens, FC Robo Queens, and Delta Queens lifted the Sheroes Cup diadem in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 editions respectively.

The current edition is scheduled to last between October 7 and 16, 2023, while the participating teams are expected to arrive October 5, with the draws slated the following day. 

  

NWFL Super Six: Substitute Agoh inspires Delta Queens to dethrone Bayelsa Queens as champions

 

By Wale Mustapha 

Bayelsa Queens' hopes of retaining the Nigeria Women's Football League (NWFL) Super 6 title was dashed as Delta Queens fought back to win the coveted trophy.

Winner of the competition earned the whopping sum of Ten Million Naira and a ticket to the CAF Champions League. Runners up, Five Million Naira and third place went home with Three Million Naira.

In an open, pulsating clash, it was the homers who got their hands on silverware at Stephen Keshi Stadium - after a brave comeback on Sunday.

A second stanza brace from substitute Chinaza Agoh proved the difference following a first half own goal by Chisom Henry as the home team won 2-1.

Wife of the new Delta State governor Tobore Oborevwori observed the ceremonial pre-match kickoff in Asaba.

In a breathtaking start, defender Henry put the ball in her own net. Delta Queens had the chance to level up things on 44 minutes but central defender Fehintola Mabokanje missed from the penalty spot.

Delta showed their mettle with a fightback led by Agoh's equaliser seven minutes after the hour mark.

The energetic Agoh then turned up again with the winner in the 86th minute. 

Meanwhile, in the third place match, Rivers Angels humbled Confluence Queens 2-0.

NWFL Super Six: Another positive scorecard of Delta State with excellent organization

 

Asaba, the capital of Delta State is agog with activities as the Nigeria Women Football League Super Six kicked off in style. The tournament, which is hosted by the Delta State Government was moved back to begin earlier than scheduled but the Government has proved to be equal to the task. 

The bright look of the Stephen Keshi Stadium has been of interest to enthusiasts. The first step in getting this tournament organized was putting the facility in top shape. 

Before the opening game of the tournament between Rivers Angels and FC Robo, it rained and kick-off was temporarily delayed.  Interestingly, after the downpour, the pitch became just good enough for football, glittering and water free. 

The State's organization of the tournament has been amazing and the ladies are having a good time in Asaba, playing on a good surface and in a secure environment. 

The organisers have also provided alternative training pitches for the different teams and this allows them to train without pressure on the main pitch. These pitches are the Model Technical Pitch, Master Care Group of Schools and the Scotch Court Pitch. 

The Delta State Government have once again shown themselves to be worthy hosts and have sent a signal out that they are still ready to host even bigger fixtures, like national team games and tournaments, with this excellent organization of the NWFL Super Six.

NWPL Week Six Wrap: Confluence Queens stun Pelican Stars, Delta Queens fall in Osogbo

Week Six of the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) produced mouthwatering results across the various centres. 

NWPL Matchday Three Preview

The 2016/2017 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) enters match day three on Wednesday with interesting fixtures.

Rivers Angels, Delta Queens Dominates Nigeria Women Premier League Awards

Delta Queens' attacking winger, Alice Ogebe has been voted as the Futbalgalore.com's Nigeria Women Premier League, NWPL player of the year for 2015/16 season.

The winger beat closest rivals Ifeoma Paulinus and Anam Imo to the prize having scored 7 goals in the Premier League campaign.

Ogebe was voted by members of the Facebook Group, Naija Female Soccer ahead of Nasarawa Amazons' Anam Imo in second and COD Ladies' Ifeoma Paulinus in third.

The awards, according to the publisher of Futballgalore.com, Abayomi Ademetan was aimed at rewarding players and officials of clubs who excelled in the Nigeria Women Premier League and the grassroots.

League Management Company, LMC chairman Alhaji Shehu Dikko, Rivers Angels team manager Mrs Matilda Onyiloha and Confluence Queens chairman Mallam Abdul Sule were honored with merit awards for their contributions to the development of women football in Nigeria.

Rivers Angels spokesperson Jessica Amadi did enough to be voted as the best media officer. While her team's gaffer Edwin Okon won the Best coach of the year.

The Port Harcourt Angels did enough to also emerge as the club  of the season.

 

Highly rated Oluwaseun Fakunle was also voted as the best young player.

The race for top scorer was tight with Bayelsa Queens forward Rafiat Sule edging COD Ladies defender Paulinus Ifeoma to the award in the basis of assists. Both scored nine goals each but the 2012 Sports Festival product racked up five assists to win. 

Reliable young goal minder Rita Akarekor confirmed her status as the best in the land with the best goalkeeper of the season award.

In other categories, Osun Babes' Facebook Page earned the social media platform, while Phoenix Queens won the grassroot team of the season.

Futbalgalore.com's Nigeria Women Premier League award winners:

Player Of The Season
Alice Ogebe (Delta Queens)

Merit Award Winners
Alhaji Shehu Dikko (LMC Chairman)
Matilda Onyiloha (Rivers Angels Team Manager)
Abdul Sule (Confluence Queens Chairman)

Coach Of The Season
Edwin Okon (Rivers Angels)

Young Player Of The Season
Oluwaseun Fakunle (Delta Queens) 

Team Of The Season
Rivers Angels

Goalkeeper Of The Season
Rita Akarekor (Delta Queens)

Best Social Media Handle Of The
Season
Osun Babes Facebook Page

Grassroots Team Of The Season
Phoenix Queens

Top scorer
Rafiat Sule (Bayelsa Queens) 

NWPL: Fakunle Crowns Player of the Month

Delta Queens forward Oluwaseun Fakunle has been named as Futbalgalore.com's best player in the Nigeria Women Premier League for the month of May.

NWPL: Igbinovia, Five Others gets Player of the Month Award Nomination

Bayelsa Queens duo Osarenoma Igbinovia and Rofiat Sule lead the nominations for May's Nigeria Women Premier League Player of the Month
award as powered by Futbalgalore.com.

NWPL: FC Robo, Delta Queens Share Spoils in Season Opener

A late comeback spared FC Robo Queens blushes as they denied Delta Queens an away win in the Nigeria Women Premier League opener after coming from 2-1 down to draw 2-2.

Confluence Queens, Rivers Angels, Others for FCT FA Women Pre-Season Championships

The Board of the FCT Football Association has approved the proposal of the its Women Football Development Committee to organize a pre season football tournament for League clubs in country.