Tobi Oyewole’s goal in the 14 minute of encounter sealed victory for Akwa Ibom.

Imo delivered a disciplined performance to beat Bauchi 1-0. Ebode Richard scored after an unpardonable gaffe by goalkeeper Iliya Shehu.

A goal in the closing periods of the tie from Blessed Okon was all it took to separate the two sides as FCT won 1-0 against Jigawa.

Midfielder Soso Sunday netted from the penalty spot in the 17th minute against Borno.

Kebbi stuck to their game plan all the way and comfortably frustrated Borno to win 1-0.

Goals from Aondover Agandi and Ejieh Paul was the tonic Adamawa needed destroy Rivers 2-0.

The #Ote4Wealth Football Tournament holding at the Water FC Stadium, Apo Abuja is in honour of Diamond Jubilee celebration of Nigeria’s foremost philanthropist and Business mogul, Femi Otedola Femi Otedola who clocked 60 on November 4.

Day 4 Results:
Bauchi 0-1 Imo
Benue 0-1 Akwa Ibom
FCT 1-0 Jigawa
Kebbi 1-0 Borno
Abia 1-0 Bayelsa
Adamawa 2-0 Rivers

Vice Chairman of Lobi Stars FC Dominic Iorfa has cried out over plans by some detractors of the club, mostly members of the past Managements to work against the survival struggle of the North Central club to escape relegation. 

This is coming on the heels of a court order to seize the club’s official bus during their training session in Makurdi Friday ahead of the crucial match against Dakkada FC in Makurdi on Sunday. 

The court had ordered the seizure of Lobi stars bus owing to the accumulated debts owed by previous Managements to hoteliers and other parties.

The Lobi stars boss alleged that it was a ground plan hatched by some top members of the past Managements of the club who are desperate to see the club go down to the relegation waters despite government efforts and huge support to the team.

According to him ” I was given the mandate by the governor to rescue the team from troubled waters and we are doing everything possible by the grace of God to do the assignment, but those who put the club in this mess are working against us” he cried out. 

He continued ” Lobi stars is the symbol of the state and the people of Benue state will not be happy to see the team relegated, Iam ready to offer my best to rescue the team but all these blackmail and distractions are not good at this crucial and critical stage” 

“If the club could succeed in the previous administrations, then the club must not die in the hands of Gov. Ortom who has done massively well in supporting the club financially, I won’t allow that to happen ” he assured.

“Before I took over this assignment, the immediate past Management played 19 matches and got only 19 points out of possible 57 points and placed on 19th bottom position, but today by the grace of God and with the huge support of the state government, Supporters, fans and the entire team we have played 15 matches, garnered 24 points and placed joint 12th position on the Log with 4 matches to go, God will see us through ” he prayed.

He warned the detractors not to take his patience for granted because he refused to probe them on assumption of office, stressing that he would be forced to activate all the relevant means to set up a probe panel to unearth their untoward stewardship in the club.

Adams Jesse

Umm Salal SC of Qatar midfielder, Moses Okurma has revealed that it was his act of giving back to the society that prompted him into hosting the annual Unity Football Tournament in his hometown of Gboko in Benue State.

Moses Orkuma started his footballing career in Abaya Babes in Gboko, Benue state before moving Aspire (now defunct).

The Moses Orkuma Unity Football Competition is in its 5th edition as this year’s edition is expected to run from May 14th to June 14th 2022 in the great City of Gboko in Benue State.

Orkuma said ”youth development is key in the building of a great nation, so each time I look back to how it all started for me, I see how difficult it could be for the average child out there”.

“It has been difficult navigating all through these years as a player, I cannot just overlook the impact of my community because if it can produce me, it can produce another set of generation who will end up featuring for this great country, the ex US Monastir Star stated”.

Moses Orkuma who has played for the Flying Eagles of Nigeria on 14 occasions rounded up by saying he believes he can give the younger generation of players hope in the round leather game.

“It is my prayer that I will continue to give the younger generation of players the hope to excel in football, He concluded”.

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.

25 teams started the journey and Santana emerged champions at the Aper Aku Stadium on Friday.

“My fulfillment is that we have made another history. From the Grassroots we can actually get the very best,” Barrister Paul Edeh who is the sole sponsor of the competition admitted in a chat with reporters on Friday afternoon.

“25 teams participated in this year’s Ratels/Benue State League. This is the way to go if we must promote the game of football in Nigeria. The Grassroots should be actively mobilized.”

“When we organized the Flying Officers Cup, people didn’t give us much of chance. Today, Ratels Sports Development Foundation is at it again making another history.”

The philanthropist stated his reasons for investing in the girl child.

“Right from when I was a teenager, I have always had target for the girl child. We live in a society that doesn’t pay much attention to the girl child.”

“This is my own little way of giving back to the society. The Society has made me who I am today. The least I can do is to pick one segment of life and make an impact.”

“That’s why I have devoted a lot of attention to the girl child. Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers that I own are both geared towards making life meaningful for the girl child.”

He hailed the standard exhibited and giant strides put in place by Benue State Football Association.

“I think the standard of the competition was really fantastic especially officiating and quality of soccer exhibited by the teams. There is a sense of satisfaction from me.”

“Special thanks goes to Benue State Football Association for organizing the tournament,” he added.

The competition was entertaining with goals flowing like milk and honey.

Naija Ratels owner Barrister Paul Edeh has been honoured with the Pillar of Football Development Award.

The award by Benue State Football Association to the philanthropist at the Aper Aku Stadium on Friday.

“This is a deserved honour and also a unanimous one in view of the selfless contributions of Barrister Paul Edeh, to the development and growth of football in Nigeria. And we hope it would spur him to doing more for sports in the country,” Benue State Football Association Supremo Hon. Margret Icheen said.

Responding to the honour done to him, an obviously elated Paul Edeh thanked Benue State Football Association, as he acknowledged that the honour is a challenge for him to do more.

“l feel greatly honoured and l say thank you to Benue State Football Association,” he said.

Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship side Naija Ratels Captain Paulina Ali has shown real character as the leader of the team ever since she was made captain over two years ago.

The charismatic defender recently revealed how she started the round leather game as a kid and how her parents never supported her in the beginning.

The young player believes that she has grown as a leader and player in Naija Ratels and owes the club alot of responsibilities, reasons why she never left the club, despite receiving offers from some of the biggest teams in the NWFL Premiership.

“For me, Football is the only thing that makes me happy. Football is life and am glad I can do what I love doing here at Naija Ratels.

“I started out with volleyball and was very good at it, until one of my teachers at Padopads Secondary School, Makurdi convinced me to start playing soccer, probably because of my height. I fell in love with the game afterwards and never looked back.

“Just like many young women footballers, my parents never supported me playing football. My mum was always against it and punish me at times. But I was determined and wanted to achieve something great with the game and that pushed me to be where I am today, even though I know i still have a long way to go.

“I must confess that I have improved tremendously, both as a person and a player under Naija Ratels and we all have special love for the club and President, Barrister Paul Edeh, who stands as a father figure to all of us.

“We owe the club and the President alot and that’s why we are so dedicated and determined to always win all our games.

On being Captain of a Championship team at a very young age, Paulina said it has been tasking, but yet rewarding.

“Being a leader means you have to be always ready to lay down good examples. It has been tasking, but yet very rewarding. It has made me grow positively as a person and see life in a different perspective. It also makes me work harder on the pitch, because I always want to win games and excel in everything I do and this is the same mentality I pass on to every member of the team.”

“I have told the girls that they need to do something extra- ordinary when the Championship season starts. We know our aim and our ability as dedicated and hardworking players will always stand out and work for us. We are focused and only aiming at setting a great record.” She concluded.

Naija Ratels will be playing in the NWFL Championship season later this year and will be aiming at gaining promotion to the elite league at their first trial.

The players, technical crew and staff of the NWFL Championship team carried out the visit to the IDPs as part of it’s charity outreach activities and were all seen in a happy mood as they interacted with the Internally Displaced Persons.

Menstrual hygiene is one of the neglected health and hygiene issues surrounding the rights of vulnerable girls and women in camps built for internally displaced Persons (IDPs) and for hundreds of these women and girls living in the IDP camps, this natural monthly occurrence could be very disruptive.

For these reasons, the players of the Nigeria Women Football League side, Naija Ratels deemed it fit to donate relief materials and sanitary pads to the under privileged females in the internally displaced People’s Camp.

Donating the items, Team Manager of the side, Iorsue Kuhwa and Captain, Paulina Ali said the reason behind the gesture was to support young girls in the camp who cannot afford to buy pad for their monthly period.

According to them, it was observed that young girls and women in IDP Camps resort to the use of pieces of cloths or tissues for their monthly periods.

“We learnt how young girls and women in this IDPs Camp go through alot during their monthly periods and how some girls stay away from school going into isolation when they menstruating because of stigmatisation by their male peers”; Paulina Ali said.

Also reacting, the team manager said; “So as a team, we thought and decided we could help out in our own little way, so today we donated about 15 Cartons of Sanitary Pads, four bags of rice and some kits for the girls and women here.

“I believe it’s high time we teach young girls and women in IDP Camps about Menstrual health and hygiene. This awareness will create more confidence amongst these girls and there will be no shame when experiencing their Menstrual period, which is natural for every woman.” He concluded.

The assistant Camp Commandant, Solomon Azulo expressed appreciation for the gesture on behalf of the girls and women in the camp.

“It is a great honour to receive these menstrual hygiene kits and other relief materials on behalf of the young girls in the camp.

“This is a great gesture and am sure Naija Ratels did this just because they care about the Girl-Child.

“We are grateful and hope other teams, groups and bodies will always remember us here.” He concluded.

Naija Ratels is an NWFL Championship team based in Abuja and owned by renowned Philanthropist, Barrister Paul Edeh.

The shirt which is once again manufactured for the second time by leading sportswear Company ‘Haggai’ sees the ‘Ratels’ traditional yellow and green colour revamped and refreshed.

The 2021 season will be the second consecutive season the team will take to the field in their yellow and green classic colour. In an age where all manner of flashes and piping are added to kits, it’s refreshing to see ‘Haggai’ take a straight approach to the home kit with the green colour shed to the arm and neck, while the away kits looks unique, with the green colour dominating.

The Abuja based side lastest away kits features a stylish V-neck, been inspired by a yellow mosaic pattern, placed on the sides of the green jersey with the look completed by green shorts and black blue socks.

The tracksuits and players outing wear also comes with a new form of touch. The tracksuits collaboration is a colourful range of lemon and black, while the team’s outwear was blended with various colours to make it awesome.

Naija Ratels sister’s club ‘Honey Badgers’ also revealed their home and away kits, manufactured by ‘Haggai’ as they prepare for the NWFL Nationwide season, which kick start on the 11th of April in Abuja. The Makurdi based side collection balances a classic home identity with an adventurous eye-catching away kit.

Their new home kit design stays loyal to tradition, taking inspiration from one of the major colours of Benue State, ‘Black and White’s. While the away kit remain simple and unique with it’s light green colour.

“We wanted to give Naija Ratels a design that only them can wear and not any other team around the globe,” Haggai Sporstwear C.E.O, Paul Maduakor.

“There is a great feeling surrounding the team and it has the potential of becoming one of the biggest clubs in the world. We have a good relationship with the team and it is absolutely normal to capture all that vibrancy and try some new things.” He Concluded.

Meanwhile, the President of the club, Barrister Paul Edeh said Naija Ratels and their sister’s club Honey Badgers have enjoyed a great relationship with Haggai Sporstwear since the club came to existence, describing the Sportswear outfit as one of the best in Africa.

“We chose Haggai to kit us for some obvious reasons. First, it is a Nigerian Brand which has remained true to its commitment to sports development by providing its unique brand to the General public. When I shared my vision with the Chairman of Haggai Sports, he understood exactly the kind of brand I wanted to build and he went all out to give us beyond what we expected. Again, Haggai brand has continued to support us since we started, hence it wasn’t difficult for us to sign the clothing deal with the Company.”

“One of the reasons we chose green as our colour in Naija Ratels is because it represents our vision of building a club that is everywhere. Green is everywhere. It’s the most common colour in the natural world, and it’s second only to blue as the most common favorite colour. It’s the colour we associate with money, the environment, and it’s the colour of revitalization and rebirth. More importantly, it is our National Colour in Nigeria.

“Meanwhile, the Yellow Colour symbolises the sun which brings light to the world, signifying happiness, youthfulness, hope and fearlessness in line with our vision to make these young ladies the light of the world and unlock their hidden potentials. As we climb the ladder of time, Naija Ratels will surely be the shinning light in women football world over.”

Alongside the central design details, the 2021 shirts by ‘Haggai’ Sportswear has a truly unique feature, which includes the latest performance technologies which allow players to be more comfortable on the field of play. The new ‘Naija Ratels’ and ‘Honey Badgers’ jerseys are also made up of fabrics and special stichings which provides greater movement and comfort without sacrificing flexibility and resilience.