The organising committee for the 2023 Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) has promised a better experience for followers of the yearly competition, which has been acknowledged by stakeholders as the country’s best pre-season female soccer tournament.
The nine-man committee, headed by chairman of Edo Sports Commission, Yusuf Alli, with the Commission’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Sabina Chikere as Secretary, was inaugurated on Thursday last week by Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, in Benin City.
Other members of the committee are Maria Edekor, Kingsley Ehigiamusor, Crusoe Osagie, Dr. Andrew Obi, Dr. Peter Okonofua, Dr. Kweku Tandoh and Emmanuel Igbinosa.
Speaking on behalf of other members of the committee, Dr. Tandoh expressed appreciation to the state government for giving them opportunity to serve, adding: “The last two years have been wonderful with the Deputy Governor, Comrade Phillip Shaibu, and the team showing that women can make a way even in football. We want to assure you that this year, we will put in our best.
“We believe and hope that this year will not be an exception and by the grace of God and with the support that you always give to us, we would do a good job and make you proud.”
Earlier, while inaugurating the committee, Mrs. Obaseki urged the members to improve on the success recorded in previous editions of the tournament.
The First Lady commended the committee for the overwhelming support and their contributions in previous editions of the tournament, noting, “I have good reason to appreciate you for your hard work and commitment even in the first outing that was highly commended by FIFA.

Despite losing the final of the 2023 WAFU B U-20 Cup to Ghana on Saturday, four Falconets players made the team of the tournament, following their individual brilliance at the championship.
After regulation time ended 1-1, Christopher Danjuma’s side lost 3-1 on penalties to Ghana, who won the first edition of the tournament on home soil in Kumasi last weekend.
In the team of the tournament released on Monday, the quartet of Opeyemi Ajakaye, Flourish Sebastine, Esther Onyenezide and Chinyere Kalu were among the tournament’s best 11, which had six players from rivals Ghana and one player from Burkina Faso.
Ajakaye finished as the highest goal scorer of the tournament with six goals, while Sebastine, who scored Nigeria’s equaliser in the final, had four goals. Both strikers were joined in the attack of the 4-3-3 selection by Burkina Faso’s Adele Kabren.
In midfield, Onyenezide who had five goals at the tournament, is joined by Ghana’s duo Stella Nyamekye, who also won tthe ournament’s best player award, and Success Ameeya.
Kalu is the only Nigerian among the defenders and is paired by Ghana’s Sarah Kulible in the heart of defence, while Comfort Yeboah and Fatimata Fuseini flanked them. Ghana’s penalty shootout heroine, Afi Amenyaku, was selected between the sticks.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disclosed that Super Eagles camp will open on June 12 in Abuja ahead of the 2024 African Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and the Lone Stars of Sierra Leone.
The match will hold on June 18 in Liberia because Confederation of African Football (CAF) did not find any stadium in Sierra Leone good enough for a game of such magnitude.
Speaking with Tidesports on Monday Super Eagles’ Team Coordinator, Patrick Pascal, said everything was being done to ensure Nigeria picks the three points, which would automatically qualify it for the African Cup of Nations.
“The game against Sierra Leone will be tough because they are also eager to qualify for the Nations Cup. “We are happy that most of the overseas-based players earmarked for the game are in good form for their various clubs.
“Although we are not underestimating any country because football is growing rapidly across the world, we are focused on winning the game and qualify for the 2024 AFCON,” he said.
Pascal also added that the ongoing Nigerian Premier Football League Championship play-off in Lagos would aid the coaches’ bid to discover talented players in the local league.
Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro, is a constant presence at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, venue of the championship.
“The NFF president has been working hard to improve the Nigerian League. With the Super Six, it will be possible for coaches to see the outstanding players in the Nigeria league because all teams and players are on a equal standing to prove their worth. The highest goal scorer of the league would be seen to deserve it, instead of awarding the award to a player that did not score a convincing goal during the main league.