By Dayo Johnson, Akure

The Adeyemi Federal University of Education, (AFUED) FC has won this year’s  Women’s Football Championship  tagged “Ose baba Cup” in Ondo City, Ondo state.

Afued FC emerged champions after stunning Casmorg FC 2-0 in the finals.

The female football competition, organised to discover young female talented footballers is an initiative of International Coach Benson Akinboni Osebababa, who is also the CEO of Makinz Sports Promotions Ltd and Makinz Football Club located in Abuja.

OSEBABA CUP 2024 will be remembered in history as a remarkable and groundbreaking female football competition; which attracted some of the most promising female footballers with global potential from the Ondo region and Kingdom.

The Women’s Football Championship, which started August 24,2024, featured four teams from across Ondo State with ONIMARG FC won third place while ,CASTMOG FC emerged first runner up, and AFUED FC crowns champion of the 2024 edition.

It has been applauded for promoting women’s sports and providing a platform for young female athletes to showcase their talent.

During the competition, sports-loving fans and football enthusiasts such as students of Adeyemi University of Education, the Kegites Club, and others came out to support and cheer the participating teams and favourite players as they entertained everyone present.

The sponsor, Akinbomi Benson Osebaba said the competition is a way of giving back to the community as about 10 girls with outstanding performances would be given tickets to high ranking clubs and even international clubs as it was done in previous year.

According to him the competition was aimed to empower the community through sports.

Personalities from Nigeria, Ondo State, and beyond were also present during the competition.

They include  International Coach Benson, EX-Super Falcons of Nigeria Players and athletes, Vera Okolo, Lilian Ezeabasili, and Rita Nwadike.

Others are Hon. Moyinoluwa Ogunwumiju (Member House of Assembly Ondo West Constituency 1) Hon. Biola Oladapo (Member House of Assembly Ondo West Constituency 2), Hon. Niyi Akinyoseye (LA1 to Hon. Biola Makinde, Member House of Representatives Ondo East/West Federal Constituency), Mr. Alli Moshood (SA Media to Hon. Biola Makinde, Member House of Representatives Ondo East/West Federal Constituency), Mr. Adegoke Owolabi (General Secretary, APC Ondo West Ondo state).

Also present include Hon. Chief Mrs. Fayehun Roseline Abiola JP (Women Leader, APC Ondo West Ondo state), Dr. R.O Oloyede (H.O.D Physical and Health Education Department Adeyemi Federal University of Education Ondo kingdom Ondo state), Mr. Oladele Ajewole (Director of Sports, Adeyemi Federal University of Education Ondo Kingdom Ondo state), Dr. Sulaymon Raji (Ex-Director of Sports, AFUED Ondo kingdom Ondo state) amongst others were present.

Apart from the current winners of competition, who won the grand prize, cash prizes were also given to outstanding players during the tournament, while exceptional coaches were also acknowledged for their professionalism.

The winners won 200k, lifted the trophy, and were given medals and other prizes while the second position got 150k, medals, and other prizes and the 3rd position won 100k, medals and other prizes. Three outstanding players were selected and given special awards.

Ten most skillful players were scouted to be taken to the Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL), Europe, UAE, or Asia.

Recall that last year, three promising young female footballers were discovered, selected, and taken to clubs in the Nigeria Women Football League.

 They are currently preparing to go to Europe. The number of selected players increased to ten this year.

In an interview the AFUED FC coach, Tunde Adeniran, praised his team’s performance.

Adeniran said: “The girls showed incredible spirit today. They played according to instructions and it payed off, I cant love them less”.

Also, CASTMOG FC coach, Samuel Salako, also commended his side despite the loss.

Salako said “It was a good fight, and the girls tried their best even though the defeat was the least they could except”