All is set for Shefootball 2023 as Press Conference holds on Friday and Saturday

The Ayisat Yusuf-Aromire Foundation in conjunction with ValueJet Airline will hold the 2023 Edition of the SheFootball Conference on Friday & Saturday the 6th and 7th of January 2023 at the Lagos State Sports Writers Association Of Nigeria (SWAN), Hall, Surulere, Lagos. 

The SheFootball Initiative is aimed at harnessing the power of women in Football and also using various means to highlight the positive social impacts the game of Football have on Women and girls across Nigeria, Africa and the World. 

As part of activities for the 2023 Edition, a one day Football Competition, called ' The SheFootball Cup' will be played at the Legacy Football Pitch, Surulere and will feature Eight (8), namely, DreamStar Ladies, Royaltoms Queens, Phoenix Queens, Lakeside Queens, Ijamido Queens, English Queens, Future Stars Queens, Nakamura Queens. 

The theme for this year's edition is 'Women's Football Development Beyond Limits' and is expected to be graced by top Women Personalities, who have shown great value and quality in the development of sports in the country and beyond.

Notable amongst them are Ms Christina Oshodi, who is a UEFA Coach Educator in the United Kingdom, Dr. Abiola Akiyode, UNILAG & Executive Director (Women Advocate Research And Documentation Center) WARDC, Mrs Ezinne Ezeani, Director SheCan Nigeria and many others.

The goal of the year's SheConference is to increase the awareness of opportunities available to Women In Sports and also develop new strategies or revising and improving on existing strategies in a tailored-made approach to help develop Women's Football In Nigeria and Africa as a whole. 

Speaking ahead of the 6th Edition of the SheConference, Convener and Former Super Falcons Player Ayisat Yusuf-Aromire reiterated that the main motive behind the Conference is to engage Women Football Likeminds in providing pathways in the development of the round leather game in the Country.

Ayisat, who recently became the first woman to win the FIFPro Merit Award is positive that the game will keep improving with programmes like the SheConference.

"The priority for anyone involved in Women's Football should be development. This is an opportune time to be part of women's football, through the SheFootballConference.

"There is still much work to be done, so that the potential of the women's game can be integrated and maximized. 

"Perhaps, that's one of the reasons behind the SheFootballConference, which has been on for the past five years.

"We will continue our mission of providing opportunities and positive experiences for women who aspire to progress in Sports, through the SheFootballConference.

As we bring the importance of Women Football Development into sharper focus on the 6th and 7th of January 2023 in Lagos, we appreciate ValueJet Airline for their massive supports, FareNetwork, Monaliku, C13, Enescott and FIFPro.

The 2023 Edition of the SheFootball Conference will hold on Friday & Saturday, 6th and 7th Of January 2023 at the Lagos SWAN Hall, Surulere, Lagos.

Ote4Wealth: Akwa Ibom pip Benue to seal Quarter-final ticket after matchday 4

The State of land of promise, Akwa Ibom on Monday landed in Quarter final of the ongoing #Ote4wealth National Football Tournament after beating Benue 1-0 to seal the spot in the Nigeria’s capital city Abuja. 

Tobi Oyewole's goal in the 14 minute of encounter sealed victory for Akwa Ibom.

Imo delivered a disciplined performance to beat Bauchi 1-0. Ebode Richard scored after an unpardonable gaffe by goalkeeper Iliya Shehu.

A goal in the closing periods of the tie from Blessed Okon was all it took to separate the two sides as FCT won 1-0 against Jigawa.

Midfielder Soso Sunday netted from the penalty spot in the 17th minute against Borno.

Kebbi stuck to their game plan all the way and comfortably frustrated Borno to win 1-0.

Goals from Aondover Agandi and Ejieh Paul was the tonic Adamawa needed destroy Rivers 2-0.

The #Ote4Wealth Football Tournament holding at the Water FC Stadium, Apo Abuja is in honour of Diamond Jubilee celebration of Nigeria’s foremost philanthropist and Business mogul, Femi Otedola Femi Otedola who clocked 60 on November 4.

Day 4 Results:

Bauchi 0-1 Imo

Benue 0-1 Akwa Ibom

FCT 1-0 Jigawa 

Kebbi 1-0 Borno 

Abia 1-0 Bayelsa

Adamawa 2-0 Rivers

Ogbonda begins second spell at Confluence Queens

Confluence Queens Football Club have unveiled Ogbonda Whyte as the new Technical Adviser for the 2022/23 NWPL season. 

Whyte was unveiled alongside other coaches to the players and management staff at the the weekend.

Former trainer coach Esther Michael has been promoted to the post of Chief Coach, Abdul Muhammed Bello now the team's Assistant coach while Bestman Ossai is the goalkeeper trainer who is expected to work alongside Abdulaeez Jimoh to bring the best out of the team goalkeepers. 

During the unveiling, the coaches were advised by the club chairman Hon. Abdulmalik Isah (Dolly) to give all their best to ensure the club achieve it desired targets. 

"I want to urge you all to please put all your best to ensure we achieve our set targets for this season. 

"Confluence Queens deserve to be among the top teams in the Nigeria Women Football circle, and we don't want to settle for anything less". Said Dolly 

Whyte, who is making a return to the club after his first spell between 2019 and 2020 thanked the management of Confluence Queens for giving the opportunity to lead the team once more and promised to make the team a formidable one once again. 

"I want to sincerely appreciate the management of Confluence Queens for another chance to lead the technical department of this team". 

"I promise not to disappoint the trust given to me, off course I am aware of the Management's target and I will do my best to make it a reality."

Confluence Queens who is bye on the opening fixtures of the NWPL have been grouped alongside Edo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, FC Robo, Abia Angels, Ibom Angels and Adamawa Queens.

Ote4Wealth: Six matches are lined up for Monday as teams set for quarter-finals

Six matches will go down on Match-day 4 of #Ote4Wealth National Football Tournament where six teams will pick the quarter-final tickets. 

Two states that were seeded will join the six winners for Tuesday's quarter-final duels. 

The first match on Monday morning will see Bauchi taking on Imo at 9:30am while Benue lock horns with Akwa Ibom at 10:30am.

FCT will trade tackles with Jigawa for the quarterfinal ticket at 11:30am as Borno take on Kebbi State at 2pm. Other matches are: Bayelsa vs Abia at 3pm as Adamawa engage Rivers State.

Meanwhile, on Sunday on Match-day 3, Abia defeated Plateau 4-2 on penalties to advance to knockout stage of #Ote4Wealth Football Tournament holding in Abuja.

Playing the first match of the day on Sunday, both teams needed the lottery of penalty shootout to determine the winner after a scoreless regulation time 

In the second match, Kebbi edged Osun to progress to the next stage. 

The 3rd match of the day, a tough encounter between Rivers and Ebonyi, it ended 5-4 on penalties in favour of the former.

Akwa also relied on penalty shootout to overcome Kogi in the 4th match of the day after recording a goalless draw at full time.

Bauchi humbled star studded Kwara in the 5th match via penalties to book their passage to the next round. 

The game between Niger and FCT ended 1-1. It was the FCT that won 4-3 on penalties.

The Ote4Wealth Football Tournament holding at the Water FC Stadium, Apo Abuja is in honour of Diamond Jubilee celebration of Nigeria's foremost philanthropist and Business mogul, Femi Otedola Femi Otedola who clocked 60 on November 4. 

Day 3 Results;

Plateau 0-0 Abia (AP 2-4)

Osun 1-2 Kebbi 

Rivers 0-0 Ebonyi (AP 5-4)

Kogi 0-0 Akwa (AP (2-4)

Kwara 0-0 Bauchi (AP 1-3)

Niger 1-1 FCT (AP 3-4)

Delta 0-0 Bayelsa (AP 2-4)

Bauchi 0-0 Kano (AP 6-5)

Day 4 Fixtures

Bauchi vs Imo 9:30am

Benue vs Akwa Ibom 10:30am

 FCT vs Jigawa 11:30am

 Borno vs Kebbi 2pm

 Bayelsa vs Abia 3pm

Adamawa vs Rivers 4:30pm

Jagaban Cup revelation, 36 Lion's Oluka gets European tryout

Neftchi Baku intends to take a closer look at 36 Lion midfielder Peter Oluka when the player travels over for a trial with the club on Thursday.

Oluka In action at Jagaban Cup in Lagos 

According to 36 Lion Adviser, Gafar Olawale Limited, the nine-time Azerbaijan Premier League champions have invited the player over to Baku.

Oluka was spotted by Neftchi Baku at the recently concluded Jagaban Cup that took place at Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

He was the best midfielder on display at the four-day tournament which had the backing of 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports Management, and Lagos Enigma.

As you would expect from any young Nigerian prospect, Oluka ranks as one of the highly-rated Nigerian midfielders who can boast of an exciting work rate, supreme technique, and passing ability.

He does have the invention, and creativity and has been earmarked as a "destroyer" that is, shutting down the opposition's play in midfield, outside, and just about everywhere.

One trait that sets Oluka apart from his peers is his intelligent movement. 

On a basic level, he has good pace and acceleration which allows him to provide adequate guard for defenders.

Given his great mobility, he's not afraid to work and play from the channels.

Oluka's spatial awareness is good enough that he's often initiating attacking moves and playing quick combinations. He is expected to impress the coaching staff of Black and Whites.

Jagsban Cup: MFM FC, 9 others ready as draws on Nov14

The draws for Jagaban Cup would take place at the National Stadium Surulere Lagos on November 14th with 10 teams already confirmed. Time is 2pm. 

Jagaban Cup was put together to canvass for APC Presidential Flagbearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2023 General Elections.

De Potters, FC Bethel, Olukismet, Jo Sportyne and 36 Lion would participate at the tournament.

Others are Smart City, Badagry United, MFM FC, Ikorodu City and Messiah FC.

Competition will hold from November 15th to 18th at Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

Coordinator, Wale Joseph said participants have started preparation and assured Lagosians of a wonderful tournament.

Organizers are targeting at least five thousand youths who will be live at the Grand Finale.

Those five thousand youths will influence another 50 thousand more across various communities in Lagos through grassroot football.

Clubs would be divided into two groups of 5 teams each for a round robin style format of 70 minutes per match.

The winner of each group shall meet in the final of 40 minutes per half game (80 minutes). 

The runners up of each group shall play 3rd place match of 40 minutes per half.

The project is an initiative of 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports and Lagos Enigma.

Top European scouts from Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway and Spain would be on ground to select talented players at the competition.

Club Owners: We won't play in a league run like a private business

By Olusola Adebayo

NWFL club owners group photograph taken in Lagos after the election of new executive commitee of the association

If feelers coming from the women's football sector in Nigeria is anything to go by, there may be a delay in the resumption of next season's football leagues. 

Delta Queens' Henrrieta Ehiarbor, the chairperson of the NWFL club owners

This is because the Club Owners Association of the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL have threatened to boycott the league 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 a caretaker committee for the NWFL in place, could not allow that from happening making the club owners plan a standoff from the league until the NWFL constitutes a legal board. The Club Owners insisted that elections to herald new leadership of the 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, the 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 an 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.