Edo Queens have emerged champions of the 2023 Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament (BOWFT).
They defeated arch rivals Bayelsa Queens 4-3 on penalties in the finals decided on Wednesday, November 1 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
In the regulation time which ended in a 1-1 draw, the host Edo Queens took the lead in the 12th minute but Bayelsa Queens equalised in the 40th minute for the half to end on even terms.
On resumption, Edo Queens’ Suliat Abideen missed a penalty in the second half added time to take the match to penalties where the hosts kept their nerves to carry the day.
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The First Lady of Edo State, Betsy Obaseki, who expressed satisfaction with the success recorded so far in the tournament, said this year’s edition attracted the highest number of First Ladies.
She noted that the 2023 edition focused on addressing gender-based violence in the country through football.
“Every year, we seek to fight against different social vices in the society and so far, we have made tremendous success in the fight.
“We thank everyone that has travelled from around the country to Edo State to watch the tournament. This year, we have the largest number of First Ladies watching the final. We are really grateful,” she said.
At the end of the competition, the Best coach of the tournament went to Moses Asuku of Edo Queens, while Suliat Abideen won the Most Valuable Player award.
FC Robo’s Folashade Damilusi, won the Golden Boot award with six goals while Bayelsa Queen’s Oniyan Okeke, won the Best Goalkeeper award.