Benin City – The curtains were on Sunday,October 3,drawn on the maiden edition of Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament in Benin with Bayelsa Queens emerging champions after beating neighbours Rivers Angels 4-3,via shootouts after a barren draw in regulation time.
The final was indeed an epic one,preceded by a colourful closing ceremony witnessed by first Ladies from Bayelsa and Osun states , NFF officials,including Barr Sheyi Akinwumi and Ibrahim Gusau. Other dignitaries in attendance include former governor of Edo state Chief Lucky Igbinedion ,the acting chief Judge of Edo state Joe Acha among others.
Edo cultural dance and some artistic performance were featured in the closing ceremony to the admiration of the visitors and sports stakeholders in attendace.
The third place match had earlier been played at the same Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium at 9AM ,between Edo Queens and FC Robo of Lagos which the former won 5-3 via shootouts after 1-1 draw at regulation time of 90 minutes to get N2M consolation Prize.
The exploits of the Aiteo Cup champions Bayelsa Queens in the BOWFT have been punctuated their dominance status in Nigeria female football with masterclass performance against FC Robo, beating them 3-1 in the semifinals to set up the epic finals against the NWFL champions which they just won.
Rivers Angels on the other hand also showed class as they stopped the host team Edo Queens 3-1 in the semifinals same stage on the road to the last game .
The BOWFT champions and reigning Aiteo/ Challenge cup champions Bayelsa Queens no doubt, have found the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium a favourable ground as they recently won the 2021 Aiteo Cup in the same field .
The BOWFT champions Bayelsa Queens have pocketed N5M as Rivers Angels go home with N3M.
On individual awards,Edo Queens won the fair play,Monday Gift of FC Robo won the golden boot. Mary Ann Ezenaku of Rivers Angels was voted the Most Valuable Player(MVP) while Faith Umilana of Naija Ratels won the golden gloves .
Twelve clubs in the premier and amateur leagues drawn from both the northern and southern parts of the country took part in the tournament. They include Edo Queens, FC Robo Queens, Heartland Queens, Sunshine Queens, Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens. Others are Rolly FC Queens, Fortress Ladies, Naija Ratels, Kaduna Queens, Confluence Queens and Royals Queens.
