Rivers Angels Football Club of Port Harcourt, now christened Rivers Angels International FC has been charged to go and not only pick a ticket for the maiden edition of CAF Women’s Champions League proper in the imminent qualifying series in Cote D’Ivoire, but go all the way to the title in the main event in Egypt. Players of the team were assured that victory in the continental championship would not only be glorious to Rivers state and Nigeria, but an opportunity to change their lives through the magnanimity of their number one supporter and sports loving Governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike.
All these unfolded at the sent- forth ceremony of the team to the Champions League qualifiers organised by the Rivers State Ministry of Sports last Wednesday before they jetted out to Abidjan.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Special Guest of Honour and state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Amb. Desmond Akawor told the team that their movement to fly the flag of the state and country at the championship is historic and an opportunity to taste the large heartedness of Governor Wike, once they return with laurels. “You have a sports loving Governor that would change your lives if you win. Please do not disappoint the state, do not disappoint the Governor, do not disappoint the Ministry of Sports that have worked very hard for you”, he charged the team.
He went ahead to promise the team, on behalf of PDP, the sum of one million naira for each goal scored in Abidjan and the chances of becoming landladies if they win the title.
Earlier, the Sports Commissioner, Hon Boma Iyaye, while admonishing the team said that the ceremony was organised to make the team realize that it is carrying the banner of millions of Rivers people and Nigerians. He stated that all that the team needed to excel at the tournament had been provided by the sports loving governor, thus, Iyaye declared that there would be no excuse for failure. “The only thing you can do now to reciprocate the gesture of the state is to qualify in Abidjan and win in Egypt. We want to conquer Africa, you are not going to Cote d’Ivoire for jamboree, you are going for serious business. There would be nothing like second best, we’re the best and would continue to keep the standard. Go to Abidjan, qualify, then go to Egypt and conquer Africa”, Iyaye charged the team
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Wike on Real Madrid Academy and Chairman, Rivers State Football Association, Barr. Christopher Green urged the team to go to the tourney to hustle, demonstrate desire to work as a team in order to achieve victory. He restated that the competition is one opportunity made by God for the players to change their lives for good.
The Permanent Secretary, ministry of Sports, Sir Honour Sirawoo on his part noted that the Angels, serial winners in the domestic scene are the first women’s team to represent Nigeria on the continent, which is a testimony to the passion and commitment being demonstrated by Governor Wike in all spheres of life in the state, particularly, sports.
He described Rivers Angels as one of the State’s projects, where the governor, Mr Projects has shown commendable commitment and expressed hope that as the team was being sent-forth uniquely, they would be celebrated on return.
General Manager of the team, Mrs Matilda Otuene-Onyiloha was effusive in her appreciation of the welfare package arranged for them and promised that they would not disappoint.
Rivers Angels qualified for the maiden Africa Women’s champions League appearance after winning the Super-Six Play-off of the league. They will play their first game in Abidjan tomorrow against Hasaacas of Ghana.

By: Gabriel Nwanetanya