Federation CupRound of 32: Edo Queens Trounce Kada Queens 8-2, Dedicate victory to Gov Obaseki

From Kehinde Osagiede

NWFL Super Six bound Edo Queens Football Club of Benin on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 began this year’s President Federation Cup (Women) on a bright note as they trounced Kada Queens of Kaduna 8-2 to advance to the round of 16.

The obaseki girls began the drubbing of their opponents in the 4th minute of the game with a superb goal from Kafayat Mafisere . Essien Emem added her goal in a quick succession just a minute after and later got a brace in the 58th minutes of play. Captain Abideen Suliat had registered her name on the score sheet 12 minutes into the game.

Goodness Osigwe netted the fifth goal for Edo Queens in the 35 minute of the game while
Abdulrasheed Mariam’s brace ( 70, 79 minutes) and a goal from Godwin Eunice in the 90th minute completed the bashing of Kada Queens who made good effort to get two goals to console them.

The captain of the Edo side Suleyat Abideen immediately after the game dedicated the mouthwatering victory to the Governor of Edo State Mr Godwin Obaseki and the first lady Dr Betsy Obaseki.

The Edo state FA cup champions ascribed their success so far this year to the sports loving Governor and his wife who have made football more interesting to them by way of motivation.

“We promised the Governor and our first lady that we are going to redouble our efforts to bring laurels to the state, and this is the way to reciprocate government’s kind gesture. We have never had it so good until Governor Obaseki came onboard as our governor.

Just about two weeks ago we qualified for Super Six after pulling a 1-1 draw with champions Delta Queens on the last day of the regular season and our mother the first lady organized a grand reception for us. That honour done us is a great motivation and will propel us to higher performance at the Super Six which is scheduled to begin on May 15. This is just the beginning of resounding results.

It is not out of place to say that the huge investment and motivation from Edo state Government to the Edo Queens is yielding fruits as the girls have started reciprocating the state government’s kind gesture

Knowing the significance of motivation in the sports realm, Edo state government In a swift move organized a grand reception for the victorious Edo Queens Football on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in appreciation of their hard work and patriotism on the team’s return from Asaba where they were forced to a 1-1 draw in their last game of the Nigeria Women Football Premiership by Delta Queens and qualified for the Super Six ahead of the defending champions.

The First Lady of Edo state Dr Mrs Betsy Obaseki in the company of the newly anointed Deputy Governor Engr Marvelous Omobayor, the Chief of Staff to the Governor Dr Osaigbovo Iyoha and the Executive Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission Olympian Yussuf Alli with some permanent secretaries received the girls in style at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City.

At the reception, the first lady, besides the millions of Naira she splashed on the team, specifically praised their accomplishments making it to the Super Six, saying it is a ‘big deal’ to finish among the best six on the country’s women premier league.
Mrs Obaseki restated Governor Obaseki’s commitment to taking Edo Queens to the highest level of football.

” I urge you to go for the gold cup at the super six. We are behind you. Governor Obaseki’s administration is behind you and ready to do all that is necessary to spur you to victory”, she emphasized.

In appreciation of Edo state Government’s gesture, the chairman Edo State Sports Commission Olympian Yussuf Alli and the Captain of the Edo Queens promised to reciprocate government support through excellent performance and fine results.

The Super Six is scheduled to kick off on May 15 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state with Edo Queens already in high spirit ahead of the battle.