The tournament which began on Friday 4th November will climax Saturday 12th November at Moshood Abiola Stadium.

Two matches would take place on the grand finale. Confluence Queens face Nasarawa Amazons at third place, while Edo Queens have a score to settle with Delta Queens in the final.

It will be recalled that Edo Queens, Delta Queens, Confluence Queens and Nasarawa Amazons picked up 19 points, 17 points, 11 points and 10 points respectively during the group stage.

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 Makurdi. 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 fourth edition has seen introduction of player of the match award courtesy of Airtel, seminar and award night.

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.

Edo Queens continued their flawless streak at the tournament while Delta Queens dropped points for the first time.

Below is the wrap…….

Adamawa Queens 0-2 Edo Queens

Edo Queens humbled Adamawa Queens 2-0 at the Old Parade Ground with Emem Essien and Tosin Ogundeko on target.

Naija Ratels 1-1 Royal Queens

Naija Ratels dominated the game in the opening stages and they managed to take the lead through Bankole Sofiat on eight minutes.

Ijeje Favour equalized for the Warri based side late in the first half.

Delta Queens 2-2 Confluence Queens

Goals from Moses Chioma and Peter Martha in the final 26 minutes earned Confluence Queens a point against Delta Queens.

Delta Queens started the game on fire with Chinaza Agoh stabbing home the opener on five minutes.

Five minutes later, Agoh registered another goal after Confluence Queens failed to clear their lines.

The fightback was sparked by a series of substitutions which brought fresh impetus to the team. Subs Merit Offor and Peter were particularly influential.

Nasarawa Amazons 7-0 Honey Badgers

Nasarawa Amazons thrashed Honey Badgers 7-0 at the FIFA Goal Project Pitch.

First-half strikes from Kesiena Ojiyovwi, Dooshima Tarnum, Amirat Saheed and Edeh Loveth put the Amazons in control at the break, with Badgers failing to attempt a single shot on goal.

Loveth’s effort two minutes before the hour added a fifth for the Christopher Danjuma managed side, before Ahimize Grace brilliantly rifled in her first of the day to make it 6-0.

There was still one more from Grace as she also completed her brace just like Edeh Loveth.

What they said?

Alan Regina, Goalkeeper of Adamawa Queens

“Well it’s a game, but it actually pained us that we lost, so we have to just go back and correct our mistakes.

Efe Osakpolo, captain of Edo Queens

“Our target is for us to win the trophy, we didn’t come here for Jamboree, like what the goalkeeper of Adamawa Queens said, that we are a good side and more stronger than them and we showed that.

“Our coach always tell us to show class when we play against our opponents and we always do so.”

Chinaza Agoh, Delta Queens player

“On a personal level, I feel great because I was able to play well.

“I have more to show to the world and I’m prepared to live up to expectations.”

Martha Peter, Confluence Queens Super Sub

“It’s a great privilege to play alongside my teammates as we were able to grind out good result.”

“Starting is up to the coaches, I always enjoy every moment when given the chance.”

Loveth Edeh, Nasarawa Amazons player

“I feel very happy scoring a brace for the first time in my career.

“We knew, we were going to win the game, it’s not that they are not in our level but we always have a winning mentality going into any match.”

Patience Agatha, Honey Badgers Captain

“We took the loss in good faith, we tried our best. We are trying hard and looking forward to the next games.

“We are preparing very hard, we have been working and I believe we will get there.”

According to American based football administrator, “when I decided to start the Paul E Women FC, the main purpose was to help the girl child through football and also enable them create an impact in the women’s football, because I feel it has been neglected for long.

Continuing, Somtochukwu whose male team plays in the Nationwide Division 2 League said the performance of Nigeria Women Football teams in their various tournaments, has shown a bunch of talented players who have achieved a lot for the country, but are not adequately taken care off “I happened to have an agent with direct contact with European clubs because his company is more focused on women’s football and I’m also working with some coach here in America who can facilitate full athletic scholarships for the girls, because they believe we have the raw talents here in Nigeria, but the problem is that there are very little tournaments that these girls can be discovered and given the opportunity to explore their world in the game “.

” minus the football aspect, we also have the Care Group project to help in creating awareness on the girl-child education, drug abuse, domestic violence among others, using the power of football ” he concluded.

The Paul E Inter Area Councils Women Football Tournament is expected to hold in Abuja later in November.

This is because the Club Owners Association of the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL have threatened to boycott the league in fixed for September if the NWFL body does not fix the anomalies in the administration of the league.

The club owners in the women’s football recently elected new officers with Henrietta Ehiabor leading the reformed association who have promised to bring freshness to the league and ensure that there will be absolute transparency that will bring about the doctrine of checks and balances in the league.

They believed that the composition of the NWFL board is illegal, as it should have representatives of club owners on its board but the existence of caretaker committee for the NWFL in place, could not allow that from happening making the club owners planning a stand off from the league until the NWFL constitutes a legal board. The Club Owners insisted that elections to herald new leadership of NWFL Board are supposed to take place before the new could commence.

A top official of the Club Owners body who spoke with our reporter on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the latest stand of the owners will remain unchanged until the needful is done.

“The election of the new club owners board last week did not sit well with the league body and they have released a statement, saying they only recognize the body led by former chairperson of the association, Mrs. Matilda Otuene.

“This stance from the league body has been interpreted as interference and autocracy and the club owners are ready to repel any form of such in the running of their affairs, as they believe being independent will return accountability and inclusiveness in the leagues.”

Among the issues of concern for the league body is that they said that the chairperson of the NWFL, Aisha Falode, has been running the league like a private business for five years without rendering account of how the league is being run.

This, they said, must come to an end before they agree to start a new season, as they are all critical stakeholders of the league and must be carried along.

The Association held a free and fair election on Thursday, July 21, 2022 in Lagos.

NWFLCOA as an independent body has its membership drawn from Clubs that invest in the League, particularly clubs in the NWFL Championship and Premiership.

The election was scheduled by the former Chairperson Matilda Otuene after simple majority activated a part of the constitution that says “an emergency meeting can be called either by the Excos or simple majority.”

26 clubs from the NWFL Premiership and Championship were in attendance with only Pelican Stars not represented.

Barrister Paul Edeh (Naija Ratels), Omokhagbor Sixtus (Edo Queens), Rollanson Odeh (Ibom Angels), Victor Ejiofor (Imo Strikers), Ademola Kiyesola (Moje Queens), Gloria Anta (Oasis) and Kuhwa Jeremiah (Honey Badgers) were in attendance during the fruitful process.

The electoral committee was made up of: A. Hajia Husseina Suleiman – Chairperson Nasarawa Amazons (Chairman), Danny Nazzal – Chairman Dannaz Ladies FC (Member) and C. Alimasan K. Edema – General Manager Royal Queens (Secretary).

NWFLCOA wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, Meet our New Excos;
Ehiabor Henrietta – Chairperson
Muhammed Aminu – Vice Chairman
Abolore AbdulRahmon – Secretary
Silva David – Assistant Secretary
Tosin Ojo – Treasurer
Odogun Kehinde Smith – Financial Secretary
Humphrey Njoku – PRO

Congratulations

OneVoice

As an independent body, the NWFLCOA does not need the validation of the NWFLCC to conduct its own elections or affairs.

According to a release available to the Media on Tuesday, the NWFLCOA stated: “We are surprised that the Chairperson of the NWFLCC (Madam Aisha Falode) will make public a response to our official correspondence to the NWFL Secretariat public even before receiving our response thereto. “

“We note that the Chairperson, NWFLCC may be mistaking our elections for elections into the Board of the NWFL where members of our Association are to vote by the NFF Statute of 2010. We wish to reiterate that the NWFLCOA as an independent body has its membership drawn from Clubs that invest in the League, particularly clubs in the NWFL Championship and Premiership.”

“Since this matter has been brought to public space by the Chairperson, NWFLCC, it is imperative to set the records straight. Upon assumption of office, the leadership of the NWFLCOA by its letter dated 22nd July 2022 informed the NWFL Secretariat that a new Executive Council emerged at an election which was organised by the immediate past Executive Council on the 21st of July 2022. This letter was written in a bid not to do business as usual.”

“In response to the Association’s letter informing them about the new Executive Council, the Chairperson, NWFLCC Board responded and released the full content of the letter to the media even before receiving our response. The NWFLCOA Executive Council note that the action of the Chairperson of NWFLCC is tantamount to undue interference and meddling with the activities of the Association. NWFLCOA has responded the said letter from the NWFLCC and hereby make the content of its response public so that concerned stakeholders will know the truth.”

“Nothing in the NWFL rules or our constitution or even the official NFF letter appointing you as Chairperson gives you the powers to supervise and monitor our elections or gives you the impetus to cancel our Association’s elections.

“We are shocked that the NWFL which is suppose to be an independent body would rise to condemn a free and fair election conducted by our great Association rather than commend and congratulate the new Executives like most Nigerians have done over the past few days. Please note that the NWFL Board are guided by the NWFL rules and the NFF Statutes, while our great Association is guided by its Constitution.

“We expected that the Chairperson will refer us to the section of the NWFL rules, NFF Statutes, the Constitution of our great Association or even the letter appointing the Board by the NFF where the Board is arrogated the powers to supervise and monitor our elections before it can be valid,” the NWFLCOA response explained.

The NWFLCOA Executive Council urge the CCNWFL Board not to delve into the affairs of Club Owners Association for the sake of progress and unity.

The NWFLCOA Executive Council expresss its willingness and readiness to work with the CCNWFL but will resist any form of interference targeted at our collective interest and unity.

After a transparent exercise, Delta Queens’ Ehiabor Henrietta emerged as the New Chairperson after defeating incumbent Matilda Otuene of Rivers Angels.

The election was scheduled by the former Chairperson Matilda Otuene after simple majority activated a part of the constitution that says “an emergency meeting can be called either by the Excos or simple majority.”

26 clubs from the NWFL Premiership and Championship were in attendance with only Pelican Stars not represented.

Barrister Paul Edeh (Naija Ratels), Omokhagbor Sixtus (Edo Queens), Rollanson Odeh (Ibom Angels), Victor Ejiofor (Imo Strikers), Ademola Kiyesola (Moje Queens), Gloria Anta (Oasis) and Kuhwa Jeremiah (Honey Badgers) were in attendance at the meeting. They also voted at the election.

At the meeting, the Excos were dissolved, three panel electoral committee was set up as stated in the Association’s constitution. Election was properly carried out and winners emerged.

The electoral committee was made up of:

A. Hajia Husseina Suleiman – Chairperson Nasarawa Amazons (Chairman)

B. Danny Nazzal – Chairman Dannaz Ladies FC (Member)

C. Alimasan K. Edema – General Manager Royal Queens (Secretary)

Several elements had tried to restrain the NWFL Club Owners from going on with the transparent process, but the electoral committee headed by Hajia Hussaina went ahead with the elections.

In the election which was conducted at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ehiabor pulled a total of 16 votes to beat Rivers Angels General Manager, Matilda Otuene. Matilda pulled a total of 10 votes.

Aminu Muhammed narrowly defeated FC Robo Queens owner Emmanuel Osahon to the position of Vice Chairman. He had 14 votes against his opponent’s 12.

Abolore Rahman of Dream Stars had 17 votes against Akingbade Temitope (Osun Babes) 9.

Ojo Tosin of Confluence Queens emerged as Treasurer.

Other members of Club Owners board are Kehinde Odogun (Financial Secretary), Humphrey Njoku (PRO) and Sylvia (Assistant Secretary).

The NWFL Club Owners thanked Hajia Hussaina Suleiman of Nasarawa Amazons for a motherly role in the progress of the Association.

The meeting appreciated the leadership of Matilda Otuene for her efforts over the years.

Ehiabor who was immediately sworn in along with the other board members, assured all candidates that she would carry every football stakeholder along in her challenge to move Nigerian women’s football forward.

She said “I accept the very big task now on my shoulder today I hope to discharge my well for the development of women’s football.”

“I want to be at every club owner’s service and that of the Association. I want to be accountable and ensure growth of women’s football in Nigeria.

“As a former board member and General Manager of Delta Force, I understand what growth entails.”

The Nigeria Professional Footballers Wives Association, NPFWA have joined other football lovers to felicitate with the newly elected chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL Club Owners, Mrs. Henrrienta Iheakonyen.

Mrs. Iheakonyen who emerged victorious in a keenly contested poll held in Lagos on Thursday beat the incumbent chairperson, Matilda Otuene.

The victory was in continuation of Henrietta’s wining streak as she was on Tuesday 19th July, confirmed as the Matron of the Nigeria Professional Footballers Wives Association.

With this victory over Rivers Angels General Manager Matilda Otune who seek re-election into office, Henrietta now occupies three key positions in the football circle as she also the current chairperson of NWPL club side, Delta Queens FC.

Reacting to the victory, the president of the Nigeria Professional Footballers Wives Association, Mrs Iffy Ichull Lordson said Henrietta is a born winner and they are happy to have her as matron.

“Our matron is a born winner, and we are happy to identify with her. We have no doubt in her ability to lead the club owners of the Nigeria Women Football League to the right path.” She said.

Oluchi tobex tobe-Chukwu.

The success of the 2022 NWFL Super Six Tournament held in the ancient city of Benin was the convincing shot needed by the CEO of Tulcan Energy to commend, endorse and extend the company’s relationship with the Nigerian Women football league(NWFL).
The very vivid testimony by Mr Tayo Adiatu clearly shows that Tulcan got value for Money in all ramification as the NWFL were instantly rewarded for her organisation skills and eyes for quality.

One can not but appreciate the meticulous build up from the pre Tournament, Tournament proper and post Tournament approaches of the NWFL.
From the classy Champions trophy that was flown in all the way from the United Kingdom and personally received by the Chairperson of the NWFL Ms Aisha Falode at the Airport, the unveil of the tournament official ball named Ivie , the very colourful Tournament draw and Jersey unveil in an international Hotel at the GRA in Ikeja Lagos to the Prototype World Cup presentation of the trophy and medals on the final day.
The Super Six Tournament is one event that Nigerians will not forget in a hurry.

Without further ado , the confirmation, testament and endorsement by the CEO of Tulcan Resources Mr Tayo Adiati should not be swept under the carpet with his concise and deliberate choice of words recently during a thank you visit by the board of the Nigerian Women Football League in Lagos.
” The quality of branding was second to none at the stadium, the calibre of presentation by the teams , the organisation, stadium, the fans and the media that covered the event were of international standard. It was a wake up call”. Adiati detailed with excitement.

Truly it is indeed a wake up call that would open more doors in the nearest future for the Nigerian Women Football League especially with a board that is ready to give value for money to every potential sponsor.

Ms Aisha Falode is a highly principled and astute Sports Administrator that has stood her ground in making sure that the women’s league is being run professionally without fear or favour in the 3 tiers of the league. The significant strides are constantly being noted and commended by all in the football community.

As the leader of the oldest women’s league in Africa Falode’ goal is to consistently maintain the role of Nigeria as a pace setter in Africa with the best women’s Premiership league, feed the various women national teams in Nigeria with quality players and the world at large.
” There is no room for excemption when applying the rules of the games as regards all the clubs in our league , we strive for excellence in all we do as a board as we look forward to a more improved upcoming season “. She told tobexmedia.com.