Ghana Police Ladies' Asantewaa promises to build on Woman of the Match performance

 

Ghana Police Ladies FC goalkeeper, Nana Asantewaa put up a superb performance against Naija Ratels FC to earn herself the player of the match. 

The Ghanaian goalie rescued her side from conceding goals against Naija Ratels FC in the opening game of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup.

Asantewaa first showed class when she acrobatically denied Zipere Agama the chance of scoring the first goal in the first ten minutes of play.

In the 40th minute, Nana Asantewaa also made another acrobatic save to deny Oladeji Bunmi, who positioned herself at a very good position to shoot towards goal. 

In the second half, Asantewaa continued from where she stopped as she put up another brilliant save in the 67th minute from Adugbe Olamide.

In her reaction, an excited Nana Asantewaa expressed her happiness and promised to do more for her team to go further in the competition. 

"I am very excited over this and am glad we could get something out of this game. 

"It isn't just about me, but about the whole team. We have worked so hard and we need to keep working harder and improve as a team here.

"Everybody in the team have been very supportive and that's the kind of spirit that exist amongst us. We look forward to our next game and hope it's going to be favourable." She concluded. 

Such a fantastic display from Nana Asantewaa coupled with a solid defense force could go a long way in propelling the Ghanaian side to the summit of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup as they look forward to their next game against Honey Badgers FC on Wednesday, October 13.

Naija Ratels FC, Ghana Police Ladies open Flying Officers Cup with fierce draw

Naija Ratels started their 2021 Flying Officers Cup campaign with a goalless draw against Ghana Police Ladies at the Area 10 Sports Complex on Sunday evening. 

The opening match of the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship started in a spectacular form, with Naija Ratels dominating from the beginning and had some great scoring chances, but failed to make good use of it. 

Coach Bankole Olowookeere of Naija Ratels FC started the game with Ohia Doris in goal alongside, Oladeji Bunmi, Adesina Itunuoluwa, Oyinlola Olamide, Ali Paulina, Anani Oluwaseun, Emmanuel Blessing, Adugbe Olamide, Zipeere Agama, Boigyande Loveth, and Folorunsho Aminat. 

Coach Frank Oswald gave starting shirts to Nana Asantewaa, Susana Faakyewaa, Ivy Kolli, Vida Opoku, Cynthia Adjei, Vinoria Kuzagbe, Victoria Teye Williams, Mary Berko, Jane Ayieyam, Deborah Afriyie, and Juanita Aguadze.

In the first ten minutes of the game, Ghana Police Ladies goalie, Nana Ama Asantewaa made an acrobatic save to prevent Agama Zipere from scoring the first goal of the game.

Naija Ratels FC missed three good chances in the first 19 minutes of the game, Agama and Adugbe being the biggest culprit. 

In the 24th minute, Olamide Adugbe superbly worked the ball down the right, going past Jane Ayieyam, but her shot was too weak for Nana Ama Asantewaa.

Five minutes from half time, Ghana Police Ladies goalie, Nana Ama Asantewaa made another good save from Oladeji Bunmi's effort.

Juanita Aguadze in the 44th minute thought she had beaten Ohia Doris in goal for Naija Ratels but the latter did well to block her effort.

Zipere Agama after missing some chances in the first half continued from where she stopped as she ballooned the ball from a very tight angle in the 49th minute before being replaced by Aminat Bello four minutes later.

Ghana Police Ladies FC came out in the second half to upset the host but Doris Ohia briliantly saved  Naija Ratels from conceding.

There was a scary moment for the host in the 69th minute as Ghana Police Ladies FC saw their effort hitting the cross bar.

Juanita Aguadze in the 73rd minute tried to score for Ghana Police Ladies  but her effort could not find the back of the net.

Naija Ratels FC will face Royal Queens FC of Warri in their next game on tuesday while Ghana Police Ladies FC square up with Honey Badgers FC on October 13.

Games will continue on monday, with Royal Queens battling Honey Badgers in the first match of the day by 8:am, Bayelsa Queens and FC Robo will play by 10:30am, Osun Babes and Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens will come up against each other by 1pm and finally SGH Academy FC and Confluence Queens will play the last game of the day by 3pm.

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.

Flying Officers Cup: Frank Oswald Sam targets bright start for Ghana Police Ladies against Naija Ratels

Ghana Police Ladies FC Head Coach, Frank Oswald Sam has stated that his team will perform well at the Flying  Officers Cup. 

Speaking with the media just after his team had their first training session on Friday at the FIFA Goal Project, Package B', National Stadium, Abuja. 

The young Gaffer expressed optimism and satisfaction towards having a memorable and succesful Pre-season tournament in Nigeria.

"At the moment we are fully set for the tournament, we have been training so hard and want to achieve something positive here in Nigeria. 

"Basically, we are ready to go. As a team we are coming for the ultimate and using the Flying Officers Cup to prepare for the Ghana Women Premier League, which begins next month. 

"So far the reception here by the host, has been topnotch and we are enjoying the atmosphere here in Nigeria. 

"We have learnt so much about Naija Ratels and had the privilege of getting some informations about them. They are a good side and we have to be at our best to defeat them." He concluded. 

Naija Ratels FC and Ghana Police Ladies FC will battle it out in the first game of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup on Sunday, the 10th of October at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja.

Naija Ratels to face Ghana Police Ladies in Flying Officers Cup opener

The 16 teams, which comprises of teams in Nigeria and neighboring country Ghana were today drawn into four different groups which will compete for honours from the 10th to the 24th of October 2021, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The tournament which was formerly known as Ratels Pre-season Championship was re-named the Flying Officers Cup to celebrate and immortalize the late Flying Tolulope Arotile, whose remarkable Achievements and impactful story of bravery, courage , heroism and gallantry has continued to provide a beacon of hope and inspiration to many girls who aspire to achieve their dreams regardless the challenges that exists in their quest.

Speaking at draws, Chairman Ratels Sports Development Foundation, Barrister Paul Edeh urge the football community to embrace further quotas to increase the number of women in decision making roles in order to help secure the future of the game.

“We have been responsibly preparing for this wonderful event and have done our best for players and everyone coming down here for the Pre-season Championship to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of splendid football feast and of course we hope they will enjoy their stay here in Abuja.

The time for talking has stopped. We must move on and start to make impact in the development of women’s football.

Today, I urge the football community to embrace further quotas to increase the number of women in decision making roles in order to help secure the future of the game.

I am extremely proud that FIFA, the world governing Football body has implemented more positive policies to promote gender equality and foster sports through education in women’s football.”

The official ball for the tournament was revealed featuring various colours and pictures variant of Tolulope Arotile and logo of Ratels Sports Development Foundation.

GROUP A:

Naija Ratels FC (hosts)

Ghana Police Ladies FC

Royal Queens FC

Honey Badgers

GROUP B:

Bayelsa Queens

FC Robo Queens

Osun Babes

Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens FC

GROUP C:

Rivers Angels

Confluence Queens

Sunshine Queens

Oasis Ladies FC

GROUP D:

Nasarawa Amazons FC

Edo Queens

Lakeside Queens FC

Dannaz Ladies.