Plateau United Queens shone brightly in the inaugural Girls Play Sports Football Tournament, securing the runners-up position in a grand finale that captivated football enthusiasts nationwide.
The tournament, which featured 61 teams from across Nigeria—40 representing the Southern Conference and 21 from the Northern Conference—highlighted the rising talent and diversity in women’s football, providing a platform for emerging players from all corners of the nation.
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Living up to its expectations, the event served as a significant opportunity for talent discovery, with several promising players catching the attention of national scouts.
These talents have the potential to make their way into Nigeria’s national women’s cadet teams, marking a crucial step in the development of women’s football, which continues to gain recognition on national and international stages.
The tournament also attracted high-profile attention, with officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and various scouts eager to witness the rise of grassroots women’s football.
Among the dignitaries was Mrs. Ayomidiran, the founder and organizer of the tournament and a former NFF board member. She applauded the initiative and called for greater investment in women’s sports, urging private individuals and organizations to support its growth.
According to her, such investments are essential not only to elevate the sport but also to provide young girls with the opportunity to pursue their passion professionally.
The final match between Plateau United Queens and Cats Ladies was intense and tightly contested, with Cats Ladies securing a 2-1 victory to claim the Championship title.
Despite the loss, Plateau United Queens demonstrated outstanding teamwork and resilience, establishing themselves as strong contenders throughout the competition.
Plateau United Queens dominated the first half, securing an early goal in the 9th minute through Rahab Thomas’ tailored assist.
A long ball from Rahab found Agnes Otata, who beat the Cats Ladies’ defense and calmly slotted the ball into the net, ending the first half 1-0 in favor of Plateau United Queens.
However, Cats Ladies made tactical adjustments in the second half, pressing Plateau United deep into their half.
Their persistence paid off when Anyanwu Ebube converted two free kicks from outside the 18-yard box in the 50th and 54th minutes respectively, beating Plateau United’s goalkeeper, Dorcas David, and sealing a 2-1 victory.
Present at the finals was Plateau United FC Assistant General Manager, Danjuma Isandu, representing General Manager Habila Hosea Mutla.
His presence provided consistent motivation for the girls. In his post-tournament remarks, Isandu expressed the pride of Plateau people and the government in the team’s performance, commending both the players and management for their hard work and dedication.
He noted that the team’s achievement is seen as a positive reflection of Plateau State’s growing prominence in women’s football.
Plateau United Queens received one million naira as a reward for finishing as runners-up, while Cats Ladies claimed the sum of two million naira as the competition’s star prize.
The prize money not only recognizes their efforts but also highlights the potential rewards awaiting future participants in the expanding realm of women’s football in Nigeria.
