…As Shaibu inaugurates 11-man LOC, promises a memorable tournament
The iconic and world-standard Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City is set to host the best of women’s football tournament as it has been granted the hosting rights for the (WAFU-B) regional qualifiers for the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League.
While inaugurating the tournament’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) in his office, Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu charged the members to hit the ground running and make the tournament a memorable one.
According to Shaibu, the Edo State Government is set to host and come out with the best of its kind in the West African sub-region.
The inauguration which was held at the office of the deputy governor saw top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials led by the General Secretary of the Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, joined virtually from Abuja.
The 11-man committee is headed by Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Alhaji Yusuf Alli (OLY) as Chairman and NFF board member, Babagana Kalli as Vice-chairman. Other members are Mrs. Sabina Chikere, Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen, Hajia Amina Daura, Miss Aisha Falode, Miss Ruth David, Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, Mr. Victor Edopkayi and Tony Owen and Mrs. Modupe Shabi who will serve as Secretary of the committee.
Seven countries in the West African sub-region are taking part in the two-week tournament. These are Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Niger Republic and Cote d’Ivoire.
The tournament which runs from August 18 to September 2, 2023, will see seven clubs in the sub-region contest for the only slot in the CAF women’s champions league slated for October 2023.
The qualifiers draw conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday, July 5th saw NWFL Champions, Delta Queens grouped alongside USFA FC of Burkina Faso, Atletico D’Abidjan of Cote D’Ivoire and Sam Nelly FC of Benin Republic in group A.
Group B will see Ampem Darkoa of Ghana, AS Garde Nationale of Niger Republic and Academic Amis Du Monde of Togo.
Speaking at the inauguration, the LOC chairman, Yussuf Alli said: “As the host state, we are leaders in Nigerian women’s football, we shall not disappoint Edo people and indeed Nigeria. We shall come out with the best tournament in the history of CAF”.