Nigeria Women’s Football League side Edo Queens say they are ready to grab a CAF Women’s Champions League slot, ahead of the NWFL Super Six Tournament on Thursday.
Edo Queens Women Football Club’s Coordinator, Sabina Chikere, says the team are optimistic of doing well at the Super 6 tournament in Ijebu-Ode.
The Queens will compete against Bayelsa Queens, Delta Queens, Rivers Angels, FC Robo and Sunshine Queens for the two slots to represent Nigeria at the regional qualifiers for the maiden CAF Women’s Champions League.
It was reported that Edo Queens came fourth in the 2020/2021 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership with 23 points from 13 matches.
“Even though fourth position is not good enough, but I will nonetheless commend the players for finishing in a position that qualified them to be among the top six clubs who can participate in the Super Six championship,” Chikere said.
She said it was good to know that the Ijebu-Ode tournament would ultimately decide the winners of the 2020/2021 NWFL Premiership.
“This is where the two teams will be selected to represent Nigeria in the proposed CAF-organised championship for women, slated for May.
“This Super 6 event is significant and historic to Edo Queens FC because the last time a female football team from Edo participated in a competition of this magnitude was in 2002/2003.
“Then, the team was called Inneh Queens, managed and bankrolled by an individual, the late Chief Sunny Eghaghe Inneh of blessed memory.
“For the present, Edo Queens players, coaches and management have every reason to be thankful to our govvernor, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, for bringing Edo Queens FC to limelight.
“They have also made the club the cynosure of all eyes in the history of Nigerian female football,” the team manager said.
It is the first time Edo Queens are participating in the Super Six tourney, since the rebranding of the club by Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu.
However, the team’s captain, Glory Ogbonna, while speaking, said the team would reciprocate the government’s gesture by winning the Super Six tournament.
“We thank God for making us to be among the six top teams that will take part in this championship holding in Ijebu-Ode.
“It is a good development for us as players, as it will give us ample opportunity to showcase our collective talents as a team