Flying Officers Cup 2021: The Last Four And Their Journey To Semi-Finals

The 2021 Flying Officers Cup has now reached the Semi-finals stage. Four teams are two matches away from winning the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in Africa. 

Confluence Queens, Osun Babes, FC Robo Queens and Edo Queens will compete for a spot in the final, which will be shown live on TV.

Confluence Queens and FC Robo Queens have scored more goals that the other two teams in the Semi-finals. The two teams have recorded 10 goals each going into the semi's., While Edo Queens and Osun Babes have 8 and 5 goals respectively. 

The first Semi-finals fixture will be between Osun Babes and FC Robo Queens by 10am on friday morning at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja., While the other Semi final will see Edo Queens and Confluence Queens battle each other. It will be interesting to see whether Edo Queens undefeated run will continue or Confluence Queens, the top scorer in the tournament will establish its superiority.

|Osun Babes|

Osun Babes 2 - Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens 1

FC Robo Queens 1 - Osun Babes 1

Bayelsa Queens 0 Osun Babes 0

Q1: Osun Babes 2 Royal Queens 0. 

|Confluence Queens|

SGH Sports Academy Amazons 0 Confluence Queens 4

Confluence Queens 1 Sunshine Queens 0

WACO Ladies 0 Confluence Queens 4

Q2: Confluence Queens 1 Nasarawa Amazons 0

|FC Robo Queens| 

FC Robo Queens 1 Bayelsa Queens 0

FC Robo Queens 1 Osun Babes 1 

Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens 1 FC Robo Queens 6. 

Q3: FC Robo Queens 2 Naija Ratels 0. 

|Edo Queens FC| 

Nasarawa Amazons 0 Edo Queens 1

Lakeside Queens 0 Edo Queens 3

Edo Queens 3 Dannaz Ladies 0

Q4: Edo Queens 1 Sunshine Queens 0.

Federal House Of Reps Member Hails Organisers Of Flying Officers Cup Pre-season Championship.

Member Federal House of Representatives committee on Sports, Hon. Lawrence Ayeni has hailed the organisers of the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in Africa, the Flying Officers Cup. 

Lawrence Ayeni who presently represents the Ilesha Federal Constituency 1(Osun State) in the Federal House Of Representatives was present at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja on Wednesday, was impressed at what he saw, in terms of the organisation of the tournament. 

The former Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Sports, said that the feat achieved by the Organisers in successfully organising the tournament was timely and would help spring out more development in women's football in Nigeria.

"I am impressed with what I saw at the Area 10 Sports Complex. It is very difficult to see a Nigerian put so much into the development of women's football. 

"As a lover of football myself and one who has invested into the game, I know how far the Organisers must have gone in bringing about 16 teams to participate, including a team from Ghana. This is massive and I encourage more people to take a cue from what Ratels Sports Development Foundation have been doing.

Reacting, the General Coordinator of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup, Dr Victoria Nlemigbo thanked Hon. Lawrence Ayeni for coming down to show support to the Flying Officers Cup and his home team, Osun Babes FC. She described him as an ardent lover of sports and one who could be described as a Sports Ambassador. 

The Flying Officers Cup is in its third edition and is solely sponsored by Ratels Sports Development Foundation, founded by Ambassador Barrister Paul Edeh. 

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Flying Officers Cup 21: Edo Queens And Confluence Queens Progress To Semi-Finals

Confluence Queens and Edo Queens joined Osun Babes and FC Robo Queens in the semi final of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup after the conclusion of quarter final games on Wednesday. 

At the third quarter finals game played on Wednesday at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja, Confluence Queens edged-out Nasarawa Amazons 1-0 to book a place in the semi final.

The Kogi based side started the game having the lion share of possession.

Mercy Omokwu scored the lone goal for Confluence Queens in the 27th minute with a long range shot from outside the box to beat Chukwu Uchenna in goal for Nasarawa Amazons.

Nasarawa Amazons came out in the second goal half pilling pressures on Confluence Queens defence but Alexander Florence marshalled her back line well to prevent the Lokoja based side from conceding any goal.

In the 62nd minute, Kalu Chinyere's effort for Nasarawa Amazons from long range hit the woodwork.

Six minutes from full time, Confluence Queens thought they had doubled their lead after a header from Joy Michael seemed to have resulted into a goal but referee Vivian Osimani rescinded her decision after consultation from assistant Referee Rasheedat Abdulganiyu.

Edo Queens without Coach Wemimo Mathew who is with Super Falcons for African Women's Cup of Nations (AWCON) Qualifiers defeated Sunshine Queens 1-0 in the last quarter final game.

As early as the seventh minute, Edo Queens got the breakthrough as Adaobi Okah converted with a fantastic strike from an acute angle.

In the second half, Sunshine Queens pushed for the equaliser but Edo Queens controlled the game well to ward off Sunshine Queens threats and qualify for the semi final.

The semi final games will take place on Friday, October 22 while the third place and final match will take place on Sunday, October 24.

Flying Officers Cup 2021(Quarter-Finals Results)

- Royal Queens FC 0 Osun Babes FC 2

- FC Robo Queens FC 2 Naija Ratels FC 0

- Nasarawa Amazons 0 Confluence Queens 1. 

- Edo Queens 1 Sunshine Queens 0

| Semi-finals Fixtures| Friday, 22nd Of October| 

- Osun Babes Vs FC Robo Queens (10am)

- Confluence Queens Vs Edo Queens (1pm).

Osun Babes' Super Midfielder, Bolaji Olamide Targets Flying Officers Cup Glory.

Osun Babes Midfielder Bolaji Olamide has told the Flying Officers Cup Media that she only has her sight on winning the Pre-season Championship after her team progressed to the Semi-finals on Monday afternoon. 

Bolaji, who was voted 'Player of the match after a superlative performance in their 2-0 win over young and determined side Royal Queens, said she looks forward to her team getting to the finals and winning the competition.

"Our game against Royal Queens was a very difficult one, we had a lot of opportunities, but failed to take them. They were all over us at a time, putting pressure and aiming to score. Am happy I could help my team' get to the Semi-finals and hopefully we would be in the finals.

"I am hopeful and with the squad we have, we can go all the way to do something special. I am optimistic, so is my teammates and everyone in the team.

Osun Babes are participating in their first Flying Officers Cup Pre-season Championship and would be playing their Semi-final game on Friday.

The team won their first game against Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens by 2-1, played a 1-1 draw against FC Robo Queens and their last group game against Bayelsa Queens ended goallessly.

Flying Officers Cup 2021: Olowookeere Looks Beyond Loss To FC Robo Queens

After a 2-0 defeat to FC Robo Queens which effectively ended Naija Ratels FC participation at the 2021 Flying Officers Cup, coach of the Naija Ratels, Bankole Olowookeere is looking ahead of the tournament with the aim of improving his team ahead of the 2021/2022 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership season. 

The experienced Manager believes he is heading towards the right direction with his squad and promise to continue assessing the squad and making them stronger.

"It wasn't a bad game for the team. We tried our best to get the desired result but the best side won the game. FC Robo Queens deserve the victory. We just have to work more because that is the major reason for pre season tournaments.

"It's so clear and glaring that our attack have not been converting their chances that we have to work on."

Naija Ratels FC finished fourth in the last edition of the Flying Officers Cup with eight teams and have now bowed out of the 2021 edition with 16 teams at the quarter final stage.

Coach Olowookeere is of the view that the most important thing was the fact that his team maintained its status quo without dropping while also highlighting what he needs to work on ahead of 2021/2022 NWFL Premiership season.

He said: "If we do the Mathematics which is not common in football but part of it, it's still the same position for us because if we had played this tournament with eight teams we would have qualified for the semi final. We now have 16 teams. It's important for us that we didn't drop but maintain our status quo. If the team had converted their chances, we would have been contesting for the final but it is an issue in which we have to take a wholistic look at ahead of next season in the NWFL Premiership."

Naija Ratels FC will play in Group A when the 2021/2022 NWFL Premiership season kicks off alongside Nasarawa Amazons, Confluence Queens, Pelican Stars, Osun Babes, Adamawa Queens, and Edo Queens.

Next season will be Naija Ratels FC's maiden season in the top flight NWFL Premiership after gaining promotion from second tier NWFL Championship this year alongside Adamawa Queens.

Flying Officers Cup 21: Conference queens' captain praises teammate ahead of team's clash with Nasarawa Amazon in the quarter -final

Confluence Queens captain, Alexandra Florence has hailed her new teammate Ibinabo For scoring a brace against WACO Ladies FC and expecting her to do the same, when they meet Nasarawa Amazons on Thursday in the Quarter Final of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup.  

Ibinabo Georgewill' joined Confluence Queens this summer, after failing to get playing time at Rivers Angels and has since become an important part of the 'New Direction' Ladies since joining them last month.

The 'Rivers born' forward have scored three goals so far in the tournament, one against Sunshine Queens and two against WACO Ladies. 

Alexander Florence, who has been with the team for three seasons now, feels she has come to the right place and would play a pivotal role when the league resumes.

"I think she is a fantastic player and one who has alot of great qualities on and off the pitch. 

"She is a good friend and I believe so much in her abilities, just like I do with every member of the squad. I am not surprised she is scoring important goals for us, I expect her to do more when the league starts. 

"Nasarawa Amazons game is a huge game for us, we know what they are made of and know their qualities. We won't let worry us. Our aim is simple, and that is to give our all on the pitch. 

Confluence Queens are Participating in their second Flying Officers Cup Competition and would meet North Central neighbors Nasarawa Amazons in the third Quarter Finals game on Thursday.

Amoo named in Swedish Allsvenskan team of the week

Playmaker Akinkunmi Amoo has again hit the headline for the right reasons in the Swedish Allsvenskan after the quick footed player was rewarded for his weekend heroics with a place in the team of the week. 

Making a return to the starting XI for Bajen in their derby clash at the Tele2 Arena (Stockholm) against AIK, the 19-year-old popped up with the game’s only goal just before the hour mark to give his side a well-deserved three points.

His performance has now attracted yet another player of the week honours with the attacking midfielder named in the team of the week for match day 23 by Discovery+ Sports.

Having also made the cut for match day 20, the dazzling midfielder is the only Hammarby player on the list with IF Elfsborg Rasmus Alm claiming the overall player of the week following his brace against Djurgardens.

Amoo who took his goals contribution for the season to 10 goals (7 goals, 3 assists), also claimed the man of the match against AIK, his second in two consecutive games to move his side up to 6th on the log with 37 points from 23 games.

The Swedish club are reportedly prepared to cash in big time on the exciting youngster, who signed a long-term contract last year when he clocked 18.

His sparkling form has alerted top clubs across Europe, from Atletico Madrid to Leicester City.