Female FA Cup takes center stage nation wide

The Competition which resumes this year after failing to hold last year for what the NFA called lack of funds and a tight program will no doubt give the country's female footballers a chance to get busy in a system where the country's female footballers hardly ever get paid for their services and have a very disorganised playing calender.

In the Bayelsa Center, Cash-strapped Rivers Angels Sports club will be up against arch-rivals, Pelican Stars of Calabar, Ibom Angels of Uyo, Ebonyi Angels of Ebonyi State and representatives from Imo and Abia State.

Chief Coach of Rivers Angels, Tunde LAwson told nigeriasports.com that aside the finanacial worries of his side, they were  set to top their group and remain in Bayelsa for the quarter finals.

"The matter of money, I know has been tabled before the appropraite quarters, from what i gathered, but on our part, we are just resuming from a one week break which i gave to the players to rest after the hectic season and state challenge cup."

"We have been training twice a day since monday and we will do that until friday when we move to Bayelsa. We plan to qualify as group leaders so we remain in Yenagoa and play the second placed side in the Kaduna center."

Tunde Lawson named Pelican Stars of Calabar as their greatest threat to topping the group.

In the Makurdi Center, Waheed Queens of Kaduna, Tin City Queens of Jos, Inikpi Queens of Kogi, FCT Queens of Abuja and the Enugu State representatives will do battle.

FCT Queens will have to do without the services of injured Hope Orieka who broke her leg in training during the regular league season.

"It hurts so much but I have to face the fact that I may not play until next season," Hope told nigeriasports.com.

Striker, Saidat Adegoke who was the clubs top scorer during the regular season is also out as she had a three week suspension clamped on her for indiscipline.

Kaduna center will be action spot for battles between Delta Queens of Asaba, Solid babes of LAfia, Adamawa Queens, Benue State and Kogi State.

League Champions Delta Queens may have to do without their national team players who spent six days in South Africa during the player revolt at the end of the African Women Chamionship.

"We will miss them because they are a part of our team and we deserve to use all our best players," Delta Queens Coach, Peter Dedevbo told nigeriasports.com.

"I spoke with them while still in South Africa and they assured they will join us immediately they get back so we can just wait. If they come, good, if not then we use the available players."

"I can assure that we will qualify with or without the National team players but as soon as we get to the quarter final stage we would need the full complement of our squad."

In Abeokuta Bayelsa Queens, Sunshine Queens, Lagos State and Inneh Queens of Benin will do battle.

Reports reaching nigeriasports.com from Akure indicates that Sunshine Queens may not honour the FA Cup as they do not have funds for the trip.

Also Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt face a possible walkover as they are yet to leave for Yenagoa where they have a match against Ibom Angels at 2pm on Sunday.