Governor Monday Okpebholo Promises More Support For Edo Queens After Emerging WAFU-B Champions

Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo has promised more support for the female squad following their emergence as West African Football Union (WAFU)-B champions, which he described as very important for their people. READ ALSO: Edo Queens' Women's Champions League Qualification Excites NFF's Acting Scribe Emmanuel Ikpeme Sports247 reports that Governor Okpebholo made the declaration on Tuesday during a grand reception in the state capital, Benin City for the players and crew of Edo Queens FC, who he also splashed with a reward of N50m. He further thanked the team for their brilliant efforts during all matches they played in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, which also qualified them for the CAF Women's Champions League, ahead of which he urged them to keep on working hard. The governor also went philosophical, as he noted how Edo Queens won the final against the Ghanaian team that defeated them in the group stage and praised their goalkeeper for rising to the occasion when it mattered most during a resultant penalties' shootout. Okpebholo noted, 'If you had won the first match against Ampem Darkoa Ladies of Ghana, they would have defeated you in the final. I was very confident that our girls would make us proud, and this cup means a lot to our people. 'That brilliant save (by Edo Queens' goalkeeper in the penalty shootout) gave us the energy and confidence we needed. I could see the Ghanaian players beginning to lose confidence and become emotional. 'At that point, I knew we had the advantage. As a government, we will continue to support and reward the team and create more opportunities for them to excel.' A press release by Edoko Wilson Edoko, special assistant on media to the executive chairman of Edo State Sports Commission added, 'With the WAFU-B title secured and a CAF Women's Champions League ticket in the bag, Edo Queens will now shift their attention to the continental stage in South Africa. 'The Nigerian champions will be aiming to build on their remarkable WAFU-B campaign, compete against Africa's elite women's clubs and further fly the Nigerian flag with pride.' Sports247 reports further that the grand reception for Edo Queens on Tuesday marks a symbolic example for other state governments to follow in further boosting the development of female football across all levels in Nigeria.