Amusan who won gold and broke records in 100m hurdles at this year’s World Championship and Commonwealth Games was among outstanding Nigerian sports men and women that were honoured for various categories of the Sheroes awards.

Edo State First Lady Mrs Betsy Obaseki picked up Sheroes Trailblazer of the year award.

Board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen earned the Sheroes Lifetime Achievement award while Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe bagged Sheroes Capital Achievement award.

Nigeria U17 women’s Manager, Bankole Olowookere was presented with the Sheroes Sports Icon of the year.

Coach Olowokere led the Flamingoes who recently beat all odds to win bronze at the just concluded FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, a feat that Nigeria was unable to attain in the past at the competition.

Other awardees were Super Falcons player Monday Gift (Sheroes Women Football Rising Star of the year), Coach Emmanuel Osahon (Sheroes Women Football Talent Developer of the year, Ruqayyah Adeboye (Sheroes Humanitarian of the year), Nelly Orisakwe (Sheroes Women Football Grassroots Coach of the year) and Ayisat Yusuf-Aromire (Sheroes Girl-Child Advocate of the year).

There was also posthumous award for late Alhaji Tewogboye Oyewole as Sheroes Pioneer of Women’s Football in Nigeria.

Of the 36 states in Nigeria, Lagos State Football Association was decorated as Sheroes Most Outstanding Women’s Football Development FA of the year.

On the sideline of the 2022 Sheroes Cup, organisers on Tuesday which is a rest day for the women’s football pre-season tournament organised a seminar for coaches, players, and officials tagged “The Next Big Thing In Women’s Football” at Merit Hall, Abuja.

The only women’s coach at the seminar, Felicia Anthony of Honey Badgers spoke on the challenges of working with men.

“It’s very challenging working with men as they always underrate women and want to take charge as the head. Some men are understanding. I find it very difficult to work with some men.”

For Delta Queen’s coach, Tosan Blankson, coaching women players is not a difficult aspect of football.

“Coaching women in football is the difficult aspect of coaching. When you get to the training ground, some will say they are not well saying that coach you understand. Some players behave like children and tend not to understand the tutoring hence you have to treat them well. They are lovely.”

Another coach who has managed teams in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as well as the NWFL, Adamawa Queens’ Jacob Vandi opined that coaching women is lovely with a lot of patience.

He said: “I also coached the men in the Premier League before coming to the women’s league. Working with women’s players is lovely but it’s challenging because you have to repeat what you have taught them but when you get the best players, the work becomes easier. It’s lovely working with women’s footballers.

“The players were happy with the competition and the organization, especially with the law of the game. We do have difficulties with match officials during league games. It will encourage our superiors to plan in this manner.”

League Champions with Bayelsa Queens and the current coach of Edo Queens, Moses Aduku hammered on the role of discipline in any team from his experience as a player and coach.

“I never thought or intended that I was going to be a coach as a player. I planned to be the one that will change the face of Nigerian football with my influence to clean up the game of football. I never achieved my goal as a result of indiscipline.
While playing, my colleagues do call me above the law due to being indisciplined. The seed you sow sometimes hits you back. I was determined not to fail as a coach as I did as a player.

“If I have an indisciplined player, I will try to manage the player but if the player is affecting the team, one will have to do without him or her. Indiscipline can’t take a player anywhere. 80% of players in a team are talented and indisciplined players. We need to manage them and if they are affecting the team, we need to let them go.”

On refereeing, Confluence Queens Head Coach, Liadi Bashiru admonished coaches to tell players not to expect favours from referees.

“Coaching has a lot to do in order to train players with a winning mentality. One should educate players not to expect players to get favours from referees. Clubs should treat their players well instead of inducing referees with money to get a good result.

“Recruitment of players is always important. When a team gets continental ticket, they start to recruit new players which is like staying a new team invariably affecting the team performance.”

Coach Tosan Blankson wants clubs to educate their fans.

“Whether we like it or not, we must deal with our fans first. Some referees were not induced but home teams can induce fans to harass referees.”

Former Nigerian International, Abdul Sule spoke on players’ welfare and club preparation for away games.

“Preparation for away games is important. A team should travel early for away games. Clubs need to motivate players to improve their performance for home and away games.
Players also need to be more committed and disciplined.

“It’s not easy to run a club. When a club is owing a player, there is a way they are to be addressed. They are to be talked to calmly to prepare them for the next game. We need to be calm as we are dealing with emotional ladies. if they are being calmed down, they can give their best on the field of play.

“One can’t always blame clubs as when clubs play a league with nothing to play for, then how can players and management give their best? The league must have sponsorship and structure. All hands must be on deck.”

Finally, the Founder of Fame Foundation, Aderonke Ogunleye Bello coordinated a session on “combining sports with education and skills acquisition” with the captains of Edo Queens, Delta Queens, Naija Ratels FC, Honey Badgers, Confluence Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Adamawa Queens, and Royal Queens.

The rest day will be concluded with an award ceremony this evening.

Amusan who won gold and broke records in 100m hurdles at this year’s World Championship and Commonwealth Games is among outstanding Nigerian sports men and women selected for various categories of the Sheroes awards.

Among top Nigerian personalities also lined up for special honours is Edo State First Lady Mrs Betsy Obaseki as Sheroes Trailblazer of the year, a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen for Sheroes Lifetime Achievement award and Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe – Sheroes Capital Achievement award.

A press statement issued by Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) President Barrister Paul Edeh on Sunday further disclosed that reigning African woman footballer of the year and Nigeria’s Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala will be crowned Sheroes African Footballer of the year.

According to the organisers, the head coach of Nigeria’s Flamingoes, Bankole Olowookere, will be presented with the Sheroes Sports Icon of the year.

Coach Olowokere led the Flamingoes who recently beat all odds to win bronze at the just concluded FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, a feat that Nigeria was unable to attain in the past at the competition.

Other awardees are Super Falcons player Monday Gift (Sheroes Women Football Rising Star of the year), Coach Emmanuel Osahon (Sheroes Women Football Talent Developer of the year, Ruqayyah Adeboye (Sheroes Humanitarian of the year), Nelly Orisakwe (Sheroes Women Football Grassroots Coach of the year) and Ayisat Yusuf-Aromire (Sheroes Girl-Child Advocate of the year).

There is also posthumous award for late Alhaji Tewogboye Oyewole as Sheroes Pioneer of Women’s Football in Nigeria.

Of the 36 states in Nigeria, Lagos State Football Association has been picked as Sheroes Most Outstanding Women’s Football Development FA of the year in order of awards presentations categorised into three – Sheroes Exceptional Awards, Sheroes Premium Awards and Sheroes Grand Awards.

On the essence of the event, the organisers in the statement said the awards ceremony put together by RSDF since 2020 is among other things meant to acknowledge remarkable feat achieved by women as well as individuals and organisation towards the betterment of women across the globe. 

“The Sheroes Award is an annual event dedicated to celebrating and highlighting the remarkable achievements of African women globally in recognition of their outstanding successes.  It also seeks to highlight and celebrate women who have continued to leave indelible mark in the annals of our society.

“RSDF believes that the giant strides of women and their impactful contribution to humanity, incredible bravery, courage and gallantry should be honoured, celebrated and rewarded in the face of the daunting challenges they surmount daily.

“The theme for the Sheroes Award 2022 is: “This Is Our Moment – African Women Breaking Limits”. Undoubtedly, the women who will be awarded in the 2022 edition of the Sheroes Award are indeed limit breakers whose moment to be celebrated particularly their incredible success story. 

“The Awardees of the 2022 Sheroes Award were carefully selected after a rigorous screening and vetting exercise conducted by the Awards Committee. None of the Awardees were contacted before the screening and vetting process by the Committee,” the statement added.

RSDF is currently organising Sheroes Cup, a pre-season tournament mainly for clubs plying their trade at the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).

No fewer than eight women clubs are slugging it out at the prestigious Old Parade Ground in Abuja.

Sheroes Cup is proudly sponsored by Airtel, Jigital, Haggai Sports, Ratel Sports Development Foundation, FCT FA and The Women’s Cup.

As at last count, up to eight NWFL clubs have confirmed their readiness to participate as the organisers put finishing touches to plans.

The fixtures for the tournament have been released, and four matches will be decided each day.

In the opening game, Adamawa Queens will battle Royal Queens by 8am on Friday. The game between Confluence Queens and Nasarawa Amazons will follow thereafter at 10am.

Same day by 2pm, it will be Delta Queens versus Naija Ratels. The match between Edo and Heartland Queens will then happen, starting from 4pm.

Sheroes Cup (formerly called Naija Ratels Pre-Season Championship then Flying Officers Cup) is an annual preseason tournament for women’s association football teams in Africa. The competition usually feature elite teams from Nigeria Women Football League, as well as neighboring African countries. Since the first edition in 2019, it has been described as the biggest preseason tournament for women club football in Nigeria.

Just before the commencement of the second edition, it was rebranded as “Flying Officers Cup” to honor and immortalize the recently deceased Nigeria first-ever female combat helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile.

In 2021, there was a hundred percent increase in the prize money from the 2020 edition. The first, second, third and fourth placed teams received ₦1,000,000, ₦500,000, ₦300,000 and ₦200,000 respectively.

In October 2022, it was renamed to “Sheroes Cup”.

The competition is founded and financed by Barrister Paul Edeh, through his sport firm domiciled in Benue State. For the first edition, twenty women football clubs in Nigeria was invited but only four decided to honour the invitation. The inaugural tournament was contested by hosts, Naija Ratels; top tier teams, Nasarawa Amazons and Edo Queens; and lower pyramid team, Honey Badgers from Northern Nigerian state of Kaduna. Edo Queens emerged winners following a straight round robin format. All participating teams received free sporting souvenirs, including soccer balls and jerseys.

The second edition saw the introduction of prize money, as well as removing registration fees due to the financial impacts of COVID 19 on participating teams. It was also officially ratified by the Nigeria Women Football League. The tournament venue was relocated from Benue State to Abuja. Bayelsa Queens emerged winners through a more traditional initial group phase, then elimination stages matches format.

The third edition saw the ratification of an organizing committee that included many major national stakeholders in women’s football. The prize money was also significantly increased and the tournament was billed to involve other African countries for the first time. The number of teams was also increased to 12. The competition is scheduled to start on 4th November.

The parent body of All Nigerian Football Players Union, ANFPU has identified and recognized laudable efforts of two sports philanthropists, Honorable Khamisu Ahmed Mailantriki and Barrister Paul Edeh in youth empowerment and grassroot football development, onwardnews24.com can report.

The players’ union recognized the duo with a special awards of excellence to commend both Honorable Mailantriki and Barrister Odeh for their commitments and contributions to sports in the downtrodden.

At the award reception held in Abuja on Wednesday 31st of August, 2022, President of the Union, Abdul Sule described both men as very important individuals to football and humanity.

Sule noted that Hon. Mailantriki and Barrister Odeh who have also been appointed as Patrons of the Players’ Union at the reception are among few citizens that have shown love and care for youths both in cash and kind.

“Our award recipients are very important persons in our society. They are men who spend their hard earned resources to support the youths and they have been very successful.

“Take example of Mailantriki, he has been doing this for years, he has been spending his money on the youths for years making sure that the players welfare are taken care of, making football very much easier for them. If others are doing part of what he is doing, we will harness the great talents we have in abundance.

“Are when we talking about Barrister Paul Edeh. He has been fantastic. He is taking care of young girls who had no hope and now he has given them hope and future. He has done so much for those girls to make sure they become who they are supposed to be. The future is bright for them and their families are happy.

“We as a football players union are equally happy and that’s why we felt it right and worthy to honour these men as a source of encouragement.

“Today, some of them are playing in the national teams. He organises international games in the country for them, bring teams from other parts of the continent.

“When someone gets a pat on the back for doing something, it’s an encouragement to do more. They are doing all this without government assistance and yet they have continued to forge ahead. It’s not because they are very rich but because they have the interest of the youth at heart. It’s very amazing.”

Abdul Sule who is a retired Super Eagles player recommended that duo fors national and international recognition as their contributions to the development of grassroots football in the country cannot be overemphasized just as he assured them of the Players Union’s supports in all their programs.

Honorable Khamisu Mailantriki is the financier of Mailtantarki FC who recently won both the Dana Cup in Denmark and Norway Invitational Youth Cup. He is also known for various kind of youth empowerment in Gombe State and FCT.

Barrister Paul Odeh has a keen interest in developing girl child and has been doing that through football. It was his love to give a life and figure for girls that made him established Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers Women’s Football Team. He has seen the team excelling well in Nigerian Women’s Football Leagues.
Barrister Odeh is also the BrainBehind a prestigious preseason tournament tagged Ratels Cup that has been helpful to prepare women’s teams in Nigeria for regular campaign.

An elated Barr. Edeh showed appreciation to the NFF for the opportunity they gave the young girls to represent the country and he also thanked the coaches and staff for their commitment

“My appreciation goes to the NFF, for giving young people like you the opportunity to be able to represent us and represent us well. I also want to thank the staff who daily feed you with talents, improving on your competence to make sure you do not only represent Nigeria but also represent yourselves

I will always maintain that anytime you go for a tournament or a competition, right in front of you is the name of your country, Nigeria Football Federation, you carry that banner representing Nigeria. But one unique thing is behind you is your personal number and the name of your parents, that is your family name. Meaning you are both representing your nation and also representing your family and no person here would want the name of their family to be soiled nor the name of their country to be brought to disrepute and that is why, indeed you have done very well.

You will recall that the last time before your game against Egypt, I had made a commitment, I said that any goal you score, 100,000 naira. I was bragging because I knew the Egyptian team was a very tough one. You scored four goals. The commitment I made was just for that match. However, when the second match came and I spoke with some of your coaching crew and they [told me that the match will be tough]. I promised another hundred thousand for any goal. I was prepared to pay honour my word.

What I’m doing today is not because I have so much, but because I feel young girls like you should be able to be rewarded and encouraged to do more. We are in a society where attention is given more to the boys’ game compared to the women. But all through this period the girls have not disappointed us. Super Falcons have qualified, Falconets have qualified and now, Flamingoes will qualify.

On behalf of my foundation, Ratels Sports Development Foundation, that is inclined to support grassroots sports, my attention is focused basically on young people like you. Those who have made it and arrived, thank God for their lives but those of you who want to take over from them we will keep supporting you. It is not because we have so much, but just to encourage you. I want to assure that before the next match, I am still going to talk with officials at the NFF and see the commitment we can make to further boost your effort to ensure that you win the next match.

Barr. Paul Edeh gave the team 600,000 naira and promised to give the coaching crew $1000 if they qualify the team to the World Cup. He further renewed his promise of one goal for hundred thousand naira. He further encouraged the girls to learn from the coaches’ wealth of experience”.

Responding on behalf of the players, team captain, Alvine Da Zossu thanked Barr. Edeh for his love for them as a father and his moral and financial support

“On behalf of the players, we like to say a very big thank you to you. Thank you, for not only fulfilling your promise but coming all the way here to talk to us like your children. We like to say a very big thank you, and also I will like to use this medium to thank our officials and our coaches because without them, this won’t have been possible, we wouldn’t have scored more goals, we wouldn’t have made Nigerians proud. We want to say thank you to our coaches and officials for impacting all they’ve been doing for us and making to become better players and we pray that in our next match, we are going to do more. Thank you very much sir”

The Flamingoes are in camp in preparation for their final game against Ethiopia in a bid to qualify for the World Cup in India. They will play away against Ethiopia on May 20 before the final leg in Nigeria

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) first Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for Naija Ratels 3-star rated Hostel, located in Kurudu, Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The new 12 bedroom building will be built like a hotel and will have an indoor gym, a lounge, where the players can relax during their leisure time, a mini hall,dining areas library and the coaches chalet.

Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi who performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the building said he was impressed with what the management of Naija Ratels have been able to achieve within a short time and urge other football clubs in the country to emulate the achievements of the team.

“It is a great privilege to be here for the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of the new Naija Ratels Football Club Hostel.

“This is a fulfilment, not just for Naija Ratels, but that of mine and Nigerian football as a whole. Imagine that we have twenty clubs like Naija Ratels across the country, women football would have been well developed.

He continued : “Football is all about hope and that is what a club like Naija Ratels does to many young girls and footballers in the country. There is no doubt that some of these girls will play for the Super Falcons and go places, because I can see the desire and determination inside of them.

“I congratulate the team for gaining promotion and am sure they will do well at the Apex league.

Also speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony of the edifice, an elated President of Naija Ratels Football Club, Barrister Paul Edeh who couldn’t hide his joy, said the building is expected to be completed within a year, as work will begin immediately.

“I ventured into women’s football primarily to make a difference and help elevate the life of the girl-child and today we have grown as a family and gained promotion to the Premiership.

“For us, it’s a great journey and one that we have been able to learn alot. This is just the beginning, as we have achieved alot as a club within our two years of existence.

“We specifically picked this strategic location for the new hostel, because it is very close to the team’s training pitch, this will make training even more easier for the players and the coaches.

“The new edifice will be in form of a 3-star rated Hotel and will consist of 12 rooms ensuite, indoor gym, a mini hall, library, lounge etc and we have also acquired 4 hectare of land here in Abuja to build our own stadium.

Naija Ratels was founded by Barrister Paul Edeh in 2019 and have deservedly gained promotion from the Championship to the Premiership.

Bayelsa Queens have reportedly entered the race to sign highly rated Naija Ratels defender, Paulina Ali, with the teenage centre-back also on the radars of Edo Queens, Rivers Angels and Nasarawa Amazons.

Having come through the ranks at FaithHill FC, Ali burst onto the scenes last year, playing a significant role in the Ratels roller coaster journey at the 2020 Flying Officers Cup in Abuja, where she led her team to victories against Kaduna Queens, Royal Queens and draws against Nasarawa Amazons and Edo Queens in the semifinal and third place games respectively.

The charismatic Captain, who is looking forward to getting her team promoted to the NWFL Premiership, has hinted earlier that she won’t be leaving Naija Ratels anytime soon, but with the latest interest shown by Bayelsa Queens, the defender might just want to change her mind.

Bayelsa Queens gaffer, Moses Aduku believes Ali, would be an excellent option as she can provide cover in the middle of defence, and also both right and left flanks, meaning there will be added competition for both Abidemi Ibe and Famuditi Oluwakemi.

Naija Ratels will begin their quest for a place in the NWFL Premiership, when the NWFL Championship kicks-off on the 22nd of June in Abuja.

The Ambassador made this disclosure over the weekend.

He stated that Ratels Foundation will ensure that Benue State Football Association is well equipped ahead of the Super 8.

Edeh added that the Ratels Foundation was ready “to support you (Benue State Football Association) all through as we are very happy to grow the development of Benue football. Ratels believes that this is a partnership that works and must continue to deliver value to the delight of all the people of Benue.”

“I’m happy with the way Benue State League was well organized and this has spurred me to do more at the Super 8.”

Ratels Foundation single-handedly sponsored the recently concluded Benue State Football League.

The Foundation blessed first to third placed teams with cash prizes, jerseys and Ratels branded balls.

Barrister Paul Edeh is the owner of Nigeria Women’s Football League clubs, Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers.

Santana FC emerged as champions of the Ratels/Benue State Football League after they stung Aeson FC 3-2 on penalties in the final played at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi on Friday afternoon.

It was misses galore on the part of Aeson in the first half. They were completely dominant and should have easily gone at least four up at the break.

Striker Orshi Peter nutmegged his marker but failed to beat the stranded keeper in the 5th minute.

Santana keeper Pel Wilfred came off the line to deny Luga Vincent from point blank. The advancing defender should have lobbed the keeper but he elected to go for the grounder.

Aeson’s Kakewo Anthony missed a sitter. He dribbled two defenders before firing wide.

It continued to be Aeson who created the opportunities as Pev Wilfred scrambled Adejo’s right footed strike away.

Orshi Peter missed a sitter late in the first stanza. Goalkeeper Onya Samuel spilled the ball but the striker surprisingly blasted it wide.

First half ended 0-0 in Makurdi.

Chances was at a premium as the fans urged the two teams to go for the jugular.

There was a big moment for Aeson as Adejo Solomon worked some space just inside the Santana box before dribbling goalkeeper Pev Wilfred and fired wide.

Substitute Anozie Samuel proceeded on series of stepovers and beat his marker, the cross from the winger evaded Terver Felix in the Santana box.

Within two minutes, two goals was scored in the match.

Santana found the breakthrough, and it was Alaka ThankGod who got it. He collected the ball with his back to goal before firing it to the roof on 77 minutes.

Aeson picked themselves up and attacked in numbers, Luga Vincent was illegally brought down by Idoko Joseph in the box. The left back dusted himself up to level from the spot.

Makurdi based Aesen looked certain to be in the lead when Anozie Samuel played the ball into the path of Adejo Solomon, who wa two-on-one with the keeper and duly slipped the pass to Terver Felix for what looked like a simple tap-in, but goalkeeper Pev Wilfred came flying.

The match had to be decided on penalties after it was all square at full time.

Pev Wilfred was the hero for Santana as he produced two saves in the shootouts.

Santana won 3-2 on penalties to emerge as Ratels/Benue State Football League champions.

Champions Santana FC were rewarded with the sum of #200,000 courtesy of Ratels Foundation. Second placed Aesen went home with #150,000 for their efforts. Hon Godwin Edoh Academy picked up #100,000 for placing third.

Ratel branded balls and jerseys were presented to first, second, third and fourth teams respectively at the closing ceremony.