After a 397-day hiatus, the third season of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament, BOWFT23 is set to make a grand comeback by 5 pm Nigerian time with the much-anticipated opening ceremony set to take place at the historic Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.
MATCH PREVIEW: Edo Queens v Naija Ratels
The opening match of the tournament will see Edo Queens, last year’s finalists, face off against the Abuja-based powerhouse, Naija Ratels. In their most recent encounter at the just-concluded Sheroes Cup, Edo Queens narrowly clinched victory with a one-nil scoreline, the lone goal courtesy of Emem Essien.
Last year, it was in the final of the previous season that Edo Queens fought hard, but they fell short against Robo Queens, with Rukayat Oladeti’s 24th-minute strike securing victory for the Lagos team with the lone goal. Meanwhile, Naija Ratels faced an unfortunate exit in the quarter-finals, losing 3-2 to Nasarawa Amazons.
As both sides prepare for the NWFL Premiership 2023/24 season, this tournament presents an opportunity for them to fine-tune their strategies.
The opening clash promises to be a fierce battle, as Edo Queens, under the leadership of Moses Adukwu, have never been defeated by Naija Ratels, led by Bankole Olowookere.
However, the addition of Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi, to the Naija Ratels lineup is expected to provide an extra layer of motivation and competition.
Photo Credit: Edo Queens Media