Women Challenge Cup:Tough Draws For Ex-Champions

Former champions Bayelsa Queens, Nasarawa Amazons and Delta Queens face stiff opposition in the group stage of the 2011 Women Challenge Cup competition following the draw held last week in Abuja.

According to the draw, the three clubs as well as top sides Sunshine Queens, Pelican Stars and Inneh Queens have tough opposition to contend with.

The group phase competition will hold at Jos, Lafia, Calabar and Aba from September 15 to 20.

At the draws held at the association’s Glass House secretariat, 2005 champions Nasarawa Amazons were placed in Group A alongside Akure-based Sunshine Queens and three other clubs.

In the group based in Jos with two quarter-final tickets available for five clubs, both sides also have state competition winners from FCT, Abia and Oyo to contend with.

In Abia, the fight for the state’s lone ticket is between Abia Queens, Standard Babes and Cyprian Nwankwo Queens in Abia.

Group B in Lafia has 2006 and 2007 champions Bayelsa Queens having to face Cerezo Queens of Kwara, Pelican Stars of Cross River and one of Kogi Confluence and Oguche Babes from Kogi.

In Group C based in Calabar, defending champions Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt seem to have an easy draw, with only the Ibom Angels of Uyo as their formidable opponents.

Apa Queens of Otukpo, representing Benue, and either of Garden Queens and Laraba Shoda Babes from Ogun are the other two in the group. Group D which also have five clubs and is based in Aba has 2010 competition runners-up Delta Queens of Asaba drawn with Inneh Queens of Benin, another top performer.

However, surprise quantities Adamawa Queens of Yola and Osun Babes of Osogbo, as well as one of Police Machine and TOKAS Queens from Lagos, make up the group.