The President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Chief Paul Edeh Esq, has challenged top clubs that participated during the seventh edition of Sheroes Cup to brace up for the upcoming Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) 2024/25 Football season.
Chief Edeh who spoke during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Sheroes Cup inside the Goal Project pitch of Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja recalled that most clubs that won the previous pre-season competition go ahead to win NWFL premiership title.
Previously known as Flying Officer’s Cup before 2022, Edo Queens, Delta Queens and Bayelsa United had won 2023, 2022 and 2020 editions before going ahead to win NWFL.
Speaking, Chief Edeh, the only Proprietor who owns two women clubs in Nigeria – Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers, went down memory lane on how the tournament started in Makurdi, Benue State capital with only four clubs.
He said after few years, most NWFL premiership clubs now look forward to it before the official commencement of the regular League season.
While congratulating the winners of this year’s Sheroes Cup, Chief Edeh said, “Remo Stars Ladies, this edition is your time, savour it. I can see the joy and gladness on your faces. As you celebrate, it’s my prayer that you continue to celebrate, but that also depends on your consistency.”
Reminiscing on the peculiar pattern the just concluded pre-season tournament took, while looking ahead of the new season, the Benue State Football Association Chairman said, “When the two semi-final matches were played, they ended in penalty. Also, all the teams that played in the final ended in penalty.
“That is to show that this new Football season we are about to commence is for any club to take. Everyone should really look out for Remo Stars because of how previous seasons panned out.”
He then commended the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Sheroes Cup, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and NWFL boards and managements as well as the media for their support in the pre-season competition.
Earlier, the LOC Chairman, Coach Haruna Ilerika and Vice Chairman of RSDF Emmanuel Adesanya expressed gratitude to the participating clubs and supporters for their roles in ensuring a hitch-free competition.
Remo Stars Ladies became overall winners after beating Abia Angels via penalties.
Third place match saw 2023 Naija Ratels runners up emerging winners after their match with former Sheroes Cup winners Bayelsa United ended 4-3 on penalties.