AS Cotonou hold 36 Lion in warm up

36 Lion were held to a 1-1 draw by AS Cotonou in the tour of Benin Republic as the highly-anticipated game with AS Cotonou ended in a stalemate on Wednesday morning.

The two clubs based locked horns at Stade René Pleven d'Akpakpa aiming for a win in the friendly.

Following a bright start from both sides in the first half, fans were treated to exciting football as 36 Lion and AS Cotonou opened up play and went on successive attacks. 

The roaring Lions drew the curtain raiser on the stroke of halftime through Joe Oloko. The forward latched on a delicious pass from Azeez Oseni to score.

With 36 Lion led by Nigeria youth international Oseni resuming the second half to give it their all, they should have doubled the lead. 

AS Cotonou grabbed the equalizer in the 79th minute via penalty.

The determined Lions were unable to find a winner thereafter which left Oseni and his team-mates disappointed.

“I think we deserved more, but you have to show more also on the pitch,“ the attacking midfielder told the Media post-match.

Speaking about his form so far, he added: “I think I’m good, I’m good. The team, we all good. Training well, we arrived here very focused as always and like I said I always give my best on the pitch and give my heart to help my team-mates. So we need to keep it up, we keep improving and I wanted to win today – that’s why I’m disappointed with the result.”

Five Reasons To Look Forward To The 2021 Flying Officers Cup

Since the tournament's inception in 2019, a number of big Nigerian Women Football clubs have participated. 

In 2019, Edo Queens emerge winners after defeating Nasarawa Amazons in the final. Nasarawa Amazons lost in the 2020 final to eventual winners Bayelsa Queens by a lone goal. 

This year's edition promises to be bigger and better, with sixteen teams fighting for honours, including three from neighboring African countries Benin Republic and Ghana.

Here are five Reasons why we should all look forward to the biggest women's football Pre-season Championship in Africa.

1. It's Something Different. 

There has never been a Pre-season like this before, where teams from outside of Nigeria will be represented. 

This would be an opportunity for teams to taste a different kind of football and opportunity away from norms. The atmosphere is expected to be something new. 

2. Rivalries 

One of Flying Officers Cup biggest selling points would be the passionate rivalries many teams in the tournament have with their opponents. 

So many rivalries will be rekindled. From the local derbies to the African one. 

Top teams like Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, Nasarawa Amazons and FC Robo Queens may most likely meet up in the competition.

3. The Return Of Fans. 

A handful of supporters will be allowed to come support their clubs. Recently, the Coronavirus epidemic ravaged the world, which made most matches played behind closed doors. With fans coming in and taking necessary precautions, it promises to be an electrifying environment at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja. 

4. Cracking Goals And Entertaining Style Of Play. 

Look forward to strikes such as the sumptuous free-kick scored last year by Royal Queens midfielder Chioma Olise against Edo Queens or the stunner from about 30 yards scored by Naija Ratels midfielder Blessing Emmanuel to give her side the equalizer against Nasarawa Amazons in the Semi-final. We are expected to see even better goals this time around. 

5. Underdogs Giving The Favourites A Run For Their Money. 

If the 2020 edition of the Flying Officers Cup taught us anything, it was that nothing is ever certain in Football. Naija Ratels an underdog, went on to reach the Semi-final of the Flying Officers Cup, losing via penalties to Edo Queens and Nasarawa Amazons respectively in the third-place and semi's matches. 

We might be seeing more surprises this year with teams from the NWFL Nationwide, Championship and Premiership all participating.

Flying Officers Cup : Africa Women Foootball Foremost Journalist Rates Flying Officers Cup High

Ghanaian top Football Journalist, Genevieve Naa Bardina-Quaye has described the Flying Officers Cup as a new approach to women's Football Pre-season Competition in Africa.  

Sixteen teams altogether, comprising thirteen Nigerian teams, and three others from Ghana and Benin Republic will compete for honours in Abuja from the 10th to the 24th of October 2021. 

Naa Abardina-Quaye while speaking from her base in Accra, the capital of Ghana said the Organisers of the Flying Officers Cup have done something that has never been achieved before in Africa Women's Football history. The well-travelled journalist went on to add that the Pre-season Championship will give teams representing their countries at the TotalEnergies CAFWCL the right atmosphere to get a good preparation ahead of their battles in Egypt. 

"The Flying Officers Cup is a competition that is being talked about here in Ghana. Teams are eager to compete and am glad that teams will represent Ghana at the competition this year. 

"For me, I see it as a big achievement for the Organisers, this is the third edition and am sure it would get bigger by the years. Possibly, next year, we can get teams from Southern, Eastern and Northern Africa compete in the Competition. 

"It only shows quality, when teams like Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, Nasarawa Amazons and the rest compete with Clubs from Ghana and Benin Republic in a Competition that isn't Organisers by WAFU or CAF. It clearly has to show the kind of dreams the Organisers have for Women's Football and special kudos should also go the the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) for providing an enabling environment for this kind of Competition." She Concluded

The Flying Officers Cup is a Women's Football Pre-season Championship sponsored by Ratels Sports Development Foundation and this year's edition will see teams from Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic compete for honours in Abuja from the 10th-24th October 2021.

Flying Officers Cup: NWFL Premiership Coaches Heap Praises On Organisers

Top Coaches in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership have heaped praises on the Organisers of the upcoming Women Football Pre-season Championship, the Flying Officers Cup. 

Some of the Managers who spoke to the Media recently, described the tournament as a good way for their various teams to prepare hard at the highest level, ahead of the beginning of the Premiership season. 

Nasarawa Amazons Head Coach, Christopher Danjuma, whose team participated in the last two editions of the Flying Officers Cup said the tournament has always helped and given his team a clue of what to expect, when the league starts. 

According to the Nigeria U-20 Women National team, the Falconets Gaffer, the Competition offers his team the opportunity to gel better by playing against top teams in a very competitive atmosphere.

"It has always been a perfect way to start the season. The Flying Officers Cup, has become a tradition for Nasarawa Amazons. We were at the last two editions and got to the finals, losing to Edo Queens and Bayelsa Queens respectively. It gives us the chance to get better as a team and that's one thing that has really been helping us." He Concluded. 

Osun Babes will be participating in the prestigious tournament for the first time this year, having missed out of the last two editions and the Head Coach of the side Olayinka Adunola said she is optimistic and looking forward to a fantastic Pre-season Championship in Abuja. 

" No doubt, we have always wanted to participate in the tournament, but am glad that we can this time around. We know the standard of the tourney and understand that we have to be at our best to keep the momentum going until the league starts. We want to have fun on the pitch, at the same time, try some new players and improve as a team everyday. The Flying Officers Cup offers us the platform to do that." She Concluded. 

Bayelsa Queens Head Coach, Moses Aduku said his team will use the tournament to test new players and strategize ahead of the new season. Bayelsa Queens recently won the AITEO Cup and a lot is expected from them in Abuja, but the experienced Gaffer insist it's just a Pre-season Championship. 

"Every Coach wants to win something and add more silverware to the ones they already have in their cabinet. We are going to be ourselves, improve in every game and test the quality that we have and definitely won't put too much pressure on ourselves. I am impressed with the standard of the Competition and no doubt, it is the best." He Concluded.

Sunshine Queens will also be at the Flying Officers Cup for the first time and their Manager, Tayo Onilude is very much excited too. 

"We have been working hard everyday to get the players in shape and against all odds will be giving our best in Abuja. The good thing is that we would be playing against some solid teams and perhaps we would be using different formations and tactics to execute our games, until we get it right. 

For Bankole Olowookere, his team Naija Ratels surpassed so many people's imagination, by reaching the Semi-final of the 2020 edition. His team, then in the NWFL Nationwide, went on to beat teams like Royal Queens, Kaduna Queens and played draws with Edo Queens and Nasarawa Amazons in the third place and Semi-Final games respectively, now in the Premiership, Olowookeere thinks his team will compete better. 

"We did well last year and hopefully, we can do more and play better, he said. The team will continue to improve on its style of play and that is the most important thing for us." He Concluded. 

AITEO Cup finalists, FC Robo Queens of Lagos will also plan to make a grand entry into the Competition this year. The 'Lagos Landladies' have quality players and are looking at competing with the best. The Head Coach and owner of the Club, Osahon Emmanuel also gave a huge thumbs up to Barrister Paul Edeh and Ratels Sports Development Foundation for being consistent with the Pre-season Championship. 

"We are working towards competing against some of the best teams in Nigeria and Africa. This is a while new idea from what we used to have in the past. Kudos to the Organisers as we look forward to having a great tournament. 

The Flying Officers Cup is the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in Africa and this year's edition, the third will see teams from Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic participating.

SWAN/SESC FRIENDLY: ZIKEL COSMETICS AND MONIMICHELLE SPORTS LIMITED JOINS TRAIN

Nigeria’s leading luxury make-up brand, Zikel Cosmetics and foremost Nigeria Sports Facility

 construction company, Monimichelle Sports Limited have confirmed their partnership of the friendly involving the Super Eagles Supporters Club and SWAN Selected.  

Astro turf development expert and President of Monimichelle Sports Limited, Ebi Egbe – aka Monimichelle, in a chat with President, Super Eagles Supporters Club, Prince Vincent Okumagba confirmed he will support the friendly as the pen pushers and SESC are vital bodies in sports development. 

CEO of Zikel Cosmetics, Kelvin Ezekiel, on the other hand said the relationship between his brand and SESC has yielded positive results over the past few years and will hope to get more mileage, hence the reason for partnering. 

Meanwhile, Zikel Cosmetics and Monimichelle Sports Limited have now joined numerous brands like Haggai Sportswear, Wakanow and Zenith Sports Limited in partnering the Super Eagles Supporters Club and SWAN Selected friendly. 

SESC Players have started arriving Lagos ahead of the friendly billed for Thursday, 2nd September at the Legacy Pitch, Surulere, Lagos by 4pm.

Prince Okumagba has also confirmed members,  players, officials, will take to the bar after the match as there will be refreshments for all.

SWAN/SESC FRIENDLY: HAGGAI SPORTSWEAR TO DONATE OFFICIAL MATCH BALL, KIT BOTH TEAMS

More partners have continue to throw their weight behind the Super Eagles Supporters Club ahead of the friendly against SWAN Selected as Nigeria’s foremost sports kitting company Haggai Sportswear have decided to kit both teams, donate an official match ball for the encounter. 

Haggai Sportswear, an official jersey sponsor of the Super Eagles Supporters Club made this known earlier today in a chat with President of SESC, Prince Vincent Okumagba.

Prince Okumagba also confirmed there will be a brief ceremony before Kickoff to officially present the Jerseys and official match balls.

Meanwhile, Member of SESC and also a Sports Journalist based in Aba, Abia State, Frank Okoye AKA "Orangeman" has donated 10 packs of water for both teams ahead of the game.

The match between SESC and SWAN Selected is billed for Thursday, 2nd September, 2022 by 4pm at the Legacy Pitch, Surulere, Lagos.

SESC/SWAN SELECTED FRIENDLY: Zenith Sports Limited Donate Kits

Leading sports equipment firm, Zenith Sports Limited have joined the list of partners ahead of the cracker between Super Eagles Supporters Club and SWAN SELECTED by donating Jerseys to SESC. 

This was made known 

 by the Managing Director of Zenith Sports Limited, Mr Paul Maduakor and revealed to SESC by the President of the Club, Prince Vincent Okumagba that a total of 18 Jerseys and 2 Goalkeeper kits will be donated to the club for the friendly as support knowing that, the Super Eagles Supporters Club have over the years have been a force both in Nigeria and diaspora to be reckon with.  

It will be recalled, foremost travel agency Wakanow had earlier partnered with SESC with a coveted trophy delivered for the friendly. 

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles Supporters Club will begin close camping on Monday, 30th, August 2021 ahead of the encounter billed for Thursday, 2nd September 2021 at the Legacy Pitch, Surulere, Lagos.