Flying Officers Cup: Defending Champions bows out of tournament

Bayelsa Queens who are last season’s Champions crashed out of this season’s tournament as four teams sealed qualification to the quarterfinals of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup after the conclusion of Group A and B games on Friday, October 15.

Royal Queens held Ghana Police Ladies FC to a 2-2 draw in the first game of the day.

Soroibe Chinanza gave the ‘Canadian Geese’ the lead through a header in the seventh minute. Three minutes later, Ruth Appiah equalised for the Ghana Police Ladies just the same way Soroibe Chinanza did for Royal Queens.

Ghana Police Ladies forward, Jane Ayieyam delivered a fantastic header to give the Ghanaian side the lead for the first time in the game before Ivoy Kolli was sent off for the Ghana Police Ladies late in the first half for her second bookable offences.

In the 62nd minute, Royal Queens FC’s incessant pressures paid off as Chika Idika restored parity for the Warri based side to make the score line 2-2.

Naija Ratels in the second game of the day defeated Honey Badgers 0-2.

As early as the second minutes of play, Olamide Adugbe converted a free kick from 25 yards to give Naija Ratels the lead. Sofiat Bankole scored her first goal of the tournament in the sixth minute to double Naija Ratels FC’s lead from a rebound.

The results means that Royal Queens finished top of Group A with five points from three games and qualified for the quarterfinals alongside Naija Ratels FC (4 points) while Ghana Police Ladies FC (3 points) and Honey Badgers FC (2 points) crashed out of the tournament.

In Group B, Osun Babes held defending Champions, Bayelsa Queens to a barren draw. The game in which Bayelsa Queens dominated possession ended in a 0-0 stalemate with the ‘Prosperity Ladies’ wasting lots of chances while Osun Babes goalkeeper, Nwachukwu Elizabeth was solid for the Omoluabi Queens emerging as the player of the match.

FC Robo Queens thrashed Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens FC 6-1 to finish top of Group B.

Rukayat Shobowale in the tenth minute open the goals galore for FC Robo Queens as she collected a pass from Ajakaye Opeyemi.

In the second half, FC Robo Queens scored five more goals to solidify their lead. Taiwo Lawal in the 53rd minute doubled FC Robo Queens’ lead while Shukurat Oladipupo made it three seven minutes later. Opeyemi Ajakaye after her previous assist found the back of the net for her new team in the 70th minute before Jimoh Ajoke’s own goal and Essien Marylene’s 81st minute strike completed the rout then Esther Adesoji earned a consolation goal from the penalty spot in the 90th minute.

FC Robo Queens with seven points from three games topped Group B and qualified for the quarterfinals alongside Osun Babes (5 points) as defending Champions, Bayelsa Queens and Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens crashed out of the tournament.

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