Flying Officers Cup 2021: Facts And Figures From First Round Of Games

 

Flying Officers Cup 2021 First Round Of Games Stats In Numbers. 

From Osun Babes crashing defending Champions Bayelsa Queens out of competition to FC Robo Queens scoring six(6) goals against Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens, to non-league side Lakeside Queens holding Nasarawa Amazons till the last minute of the game, it has been a tournament to savour for. 

The Flying Officers Cup is a special tournament, often offering women football fans and players the highest highs they can ever imagine.

After a week of non-stop football activities, it has all come down to eight (8) teams qualifying for the Quarter-finals. Naija Ratels, Osun Babes, FC Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Edo Queens, Confluence Queens, Royal Queens and Sunshine Queens. Here are some of the statistics that have illuminated the tournament so far in the first round. 

• (4) No of teams that have participated in the last every edition of the Flying Officers Cup (Nasarawa Amazons, Edo Queens, Honey Badgers, Naija Ratels).

• (16) No of teams participating in the 2021 Edition

• (24) The number of games played so far in the first round.

• (18) No of wins recorded in the first round of games.

• (5) No of draws in the first round of games. 

• (54) Number of goals scored so far. The highest number ever recorded in the first round of games of the Flying Officers Cup.

• (1) Just one Hat-trick so far in the first round, scored by Emem Essien of Edo Queens against Lakeside Queens. 

(2) No of braces scored. Juliet Sunday of Bayelsa Queens against Prince Kazeem Eletu and Ibinabo Georgewill' against WACO Ladies FC.

• (20) Number of clean-sheets recorded by Goalkeepers in the first round of games. 

• (3) Own goals recorded in the first round. (Ayo Anifowoshe Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens Vs Bayelsa Queens) • (Jimoh Ajoke, Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens Vs FC Robo Queens) • (Ambali Sekinat, Lakeside Queens Vs Nasarawa Amazons).

• (2) Two teams yet to concede, Edo Queens and Confluence Queens. 

• (3) Ghana Police Ladies, team with the highest number of draws in first round. 

• (9) Highest number of goals scored by team in the first round (Confluence Queens)..

• (2) Edo Queens and Confluence Queens are the only teams to win all all their three matches in the group stages.

• (1) Mercy Omokwu of Confluence Queens scored the fastest goal of the first round. Her goal was scored in the first minute against SGH Sports Academy Amazons. 

• (6) Bayelsa Queens 6-0 win over Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens, was the biggest margin of victory seen in the first round.

Young Achievers football tournament to embrace raw talents and polish them to the limelight

By Adeleke Idowu

Creating the verge for the exploit is the aim, as young achievers are limited set to bring on the maiden edition of the young achiever's football tournament which is set to explode Nigeria as a whole. 

The first of its kind tournament which has never occurred in time past initiative of young achievers limited will be run with sixteen (16) football academies all across five (5) states. Lagos State, Ogun State, Kwara State, Kogi State and Delta State. And will commence on the 24th of October to the 3rd of November at the Dipo Dina International Stadium Ijebu Ode Ogun State.

According to the director of young achievers limited Mr Patrick Usman Junior when Interviewed by the media in charge of "Sport Exclusive" about the aims and objectives of creating this huge platform he said.

"Projecting to evaluate the future of the youth in a healthy competitive environment through Sports, to develop their career is our major aim with the main focus of earning something outside of the basics of playing football as a profession.

 Plans to create job opportunities through Sports by raising funds from individuals and cooperate bodies. And we have worked intensively with the helping hands of our sponsors Money Trust Microfinance Bank, Carlak Polytechnic, Uncommon wonders entertainment and Dominion link properties and estate management.

Looking into the affairs of the youth is our main view with the extract of taking them out of crime and getting to the limelight".

All through the duration Accommodation, Food and Jerseys will be made available for all sixteen (16) football academies participating.

Flying Officers Cup 21: Sunshine Queens' Coach, Onilude Talks Tough Ahead of Edo Queens' Clash

Sunshine Queen's head coach, Tayo Onilude says she feels 'very positive' about their quarter-final clash with Edo Queens on Tuesday.  

Sunshine Queens qualified to the next round of the Flying Officers Cup on Saturday, after defeating SGH Sports Academy Amazons by a lone goal. The 'Betty Babes' recorded two victories (against Waco Ladies and SGH Sports Academy) and one loss against Confluence Queens in the group stages, scoring two and conceding one in the process. 

Coach Onilude, who took over the realms of affair at the Akure-based side four months ago is optimistic that her team will do well against Edo Queens, despite not being the favourite in the encounter.

'When you are in this kind of Competition and you get to this stage, you don't want to look back. You just want to keep going.

'It is true that am building a new team from the scratch, but it doesn't stop us from competing. We want to keep going and growing as a team. 

'I feel very positive about this encounter and trust my players to lift their games, even though people think we are not the favourite for this encounter.

'We haven't been taking our chances too, we need to learn how not to lose chances. The more chances we convert, the better for us as we move higher in the Flying Officers Cup. 

'Our opponents have good and experienced players, and that's one thing we need to be wary of. We believe in ourselves and we are very hopeful." She concluded. 

Sunshine Queens are participating for the first time at the Flying Officers Cup and will face Edo Queens in the quarter-finals of the Flying Officers Cup on Tuesday by 1pm.

Flying Officers Cup 2021: Organisers hold seminar on injury prevention and safety for participating teams

Organisers of the 2021 Flying Officers, Ratels Sports Development Foundation, charged participants at the tournament to be conscious of the well being, both on and off the pitch. 

The lecture which focused on basic fundamental principles in the area of injury prevention, sports rehabilitation, performance optimization came on the backdrop of two fatal injuries that occured on Matchday five, between WACO Ladies and SGH Sports Academy Amazons.  

Renowned Orthopedic Surgeon and immediate Chief Medical Director of Maitama General Hospital, Dr Ahmed Suleiman, who was the resource person for the seminar, urged players to protect themselves and be self conscious whenever they are on the pitch of play. 

The sports medicine expert further advised players on how to attend to injuries when the case arises. 

"As a player, if you are injured, don't get carried away that the injury would signify the end of your career, go to a definitive centre and get the best of treatment for yourself. 

The former NFF Chief Medical Director also lectured the players and officials on how to live a healthy life, as well as first aid treatment that players can adopt before the arrival of the medical team in the case of Denmark captain, Christian Eriksson.

"The fact that you want to win at all times does not mean you should be careless about football. When you want to head the ball, you have to be sure that it is safe. When you want to chest your ball, you have to be sure that you are safe. Make sure that you play safely. These are self precautions. Rough tackles is one of our biggest challenges. If you hit my pelvis, it might destroy my abductor muscle. If you hit my knee, you are destroying my harmstring, Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Posterior Cruciate Ligament, and Meniscal injuries. If you tackle my ankle anyhow, you are fracturing my tibia, small bones of the leg and so on. The bones, ligaments and muscles go together. Anything that injures one, injures others. Players have to be as careful as possible. 

"As far as sports is concerned, the goalkeepers put on gloves so that when the shot is too hard, they guide the ball without fracturing the fingers and bones of the hand. We use to have soft knee braces so that when the knee is attacked, it reduces the injury. The boot protects the ankle. The basics is when a player is down in football due to contact, the nearest player should be the doctor immediately.

Find out whether the player is still breathing, bleeding and the rest to avoid escalation of injuries. It is called ABCD. A for the airway especially if the tongue is behind, you will have to put your hand so that the player won't die. B is for breathing to be sure if the chest is moving or not.

In his own part, President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation, Barrister Paul Edeh thanked Dr Ahmed Suleiman for finding time out of his very busy schedule to come lecture the players and officials of all 16 participating teams in the Flying Officers Cup on how to live a good life as an athlete, noting that, it has become necessary that there should an active collaboration of efforts by everyone involved in the competition to ensure that players are safe and that the Foundation will continue to work hard to see that players are more educated on the need to be safe both on and off the pitch..

He also stated that footballers and officials need information on nutrition that can make them healthy and also the kind of treatment they need to observe in case of injury and other things.

Flying Officers Cup 2021: Confluence Queens coach, Esther Michael proud of team's feat, reveals plans For Quarter-Final.

After putting up stellar performances which did not only earned them Quarter finals slot at the ongoing Flying Officers Cup in Abuja, Confluence Queens also hold hundred percent record in the tournament with three wins from three games, the Coach of Confluence Queens, Esther Michael has attributed the form to understanding of purpose. 

Speaking on Saturday afternoon, after their match against WACO Ladies, the friendly speaking Coach said she's excited and on top of the world that the team is working perfectly to their target

"I feel excited because that was my dream before we came around."

Confluence Queens is one of the highest scoring side with 9 goals and none conceded yet against SGH Ladies, Sunshine Queens and WACO Ladies.

Esther Michael while reacting to this feat said they had plans on ground from previous outings and the hard work is beginning to pay off.

"Even before we came for  this tournament, we went to Edo, picked up one or two lessons there then we set a target, surely we are going to come victorious because even the last tournament, Confluence Queens player was the highest goals scorer, so we are fully focused on our target."

On what their next move is going to be from the quarter finals stage, Esther said that, they hope to keep up with their good record in the competition and probably get to the final. 

"By God's grace, we are coming out all out to put up good performance and aim for the win."

The Coach also revealed what they have in stock ahead of the coming NWFL Premiership season.

"One of our plans is not to just qualify for the Super 6, but to try a step further and win the Premiership."

Confluence Queens crashed out of the first round of the 2020 Flying Officers Cup, but have already won their three group games in the ongoing 2021 edition.

Flying Officers Cup 2021: NWFL Premiership Heavyweights Collide In Quarter-Finals

Four more clubs qualified for the quarter final of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup after the conclusion of Group C and D games on Match Day 7.

In Group C, Sunshine Queens pipped SGH Academy 1-0 to make it to the quarter final.

Maryam Aluko took advantage of an error from Owogbemi Kehinde to slot in the winning goal for Sunshine Queens in the seventh minute.

Confluence Queens thumped WACO Ladies FC 4-0 in the second Group C game of the day to qualify for the quarter-finals with an 100 percent record so far in the tournament.

Ibinabo Georgewill in the 29th minute scored the first goal of the game for Confluence Queens. The former Rivers Angels forward headed in a cross from Suliat Hassan to make it count for the New Direction Ladies.

In the second half, two quick goals from Arit Usang (58th minute) and Martha Peter (61st minute) extended Confluence Queens' lead to three while Ibinabo Georgewill scored her second goal of the match in the 63rd minute to make it 4-0 in favour of the Lokoja based side.

Confluence Queens with nine points from three games finished top of Group C and qualify for the quarter final alongside Sunshine Queens (6 points) as SGH Academy (3 points) and WACO Ladies FC (0 point) bid the competition goodbye.

In Group D, Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership side Nasarawa Amazons had to endure a frustrating defensive display by Nationwide side, Lakeside Queens FC.

Lakeside Queens almost caused a major upset of the tournament but unfortunately, an own goal by Lakeside Queens goalkeeper and player of the match, Ambali Sekinat with the last kick of the game won the match for Nasarawa Amazons.

Edo Queens in the last game of the day earned a 3-0 win over Danaz Ladies FC to join Confluence Queens as the two clubs with perfect record so far in the tournament.

Chioma Olise in the 23rd minute tapped the ball into the net after Danaz Ladies goalkeeper failed to handle the ball well for Edo Queens first goal. The former Royal Queens player did well to give the Obaseki Ladies the lead.

Deborah Odiagbe in the 39th minute doubled the lead for the Obaseki Ladies with a header that came off a rebound from Danaz Ladies goal post while Rebecca Ajimuda made it 3-0 in the 51st minute with her second goal of the tournament.

Edo Queens finished at the top of Group D with a maximum of nine points from three games and completed the list of Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership clubs to qualify for the quarter final alongside Nasarawa Amazons (6 points) as Danaz Ladies FC (3 points) and Lakeside Queens FC (0 point) bowed out of the tournament.

In the Quarter-finals fixtures on Monday, 18th October, Royal Queens and Osun Babes will play the first game by 10am, while FC Robo Queens and Naija Ratels FC will play by 1pm.

On tuesday, Confluence Queens and Nasarawa Amazons will Kick-Off by 10am, while Edo Queens and Sunshine Queens by 1am.

| Quarter-Finals Fixtures, Monday, 18th Of October 2021| 

Royal Queens Vs Osun Babes 10am 

FC Robo Queens Vs Naija Ratels FC 1pm

| Quarter-Finals, Fixtures, Monday, 19th October)

Confluence Queens Vs Nasarawa Amazons 10am 

Edo Queens Vs Sunshine Queens 1pm

Flying Officers Cup 21: Osun Babes Manager Whyte Ogbonda promises more as team qualify for the Quarter-final

Osun Babes Manager, Whyte Ogbonda has expressed satisfaction with his team, as they earn a berth in the quarter-finals of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup. 

The 'Omoluabi Queens' played a goalless draw against Bayelsa Queens on Friday evening to book a spot in Quarter-Final of the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in Africa.

The former Ibom Angels Manager praised his players performance and tasked them to be more determined when they face Royal Queens in their next encounter. 

'The game against Bayelsa Queens was a great test and it really helped us as we continue to build a team for the new season. 

"Truly, our preparation was not ideal before now, but I told my players before the match that it is very important that we go past the first round and qualify for the next round.

'It was very tough out there and you could see that we needed to work together more because at times we were pushed beyond limits. 

'We are happy to be in the next round of this tournament and with more hard work, I believe we will get better as a team." 

Osun Babes will play in the quarter-finals against Royal Queens on monday at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja.