Sports
BANKOLE Olowookere, the coach of Naija Ratels Football Club of Abuja, says he is presently building a team for the future and they are not under any pressure.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Naija Ratels drew 1-1 with visiting Bayelsa Queens of Yenagoa on Wednesday in Abuja.
This was in a Group A Match Day Six fixture of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership.
But Olowookere, while speaking with newsmen, lauded his team for getting such a result against the 2021/2022 NWFL Premiership champions.
He added that he and his players were not under any pressure to produce results.
“I am happy that we were able to earn a point in the game. Our opponents are a good side and everyone knows.
“But, as a team, we try to take our games one at a time. We are not under any pressure to perform,” the coach of the national under-17 women football team said.
He went on to say he was raising young girls who would mature into a super team in the nearest future.
“They are young girls who will become super stars tomorrow. So, it’s not about the result on Wednesday, but the future,” the coach added.
NAN reports that the game at the Area 10 football pitch had seen the hosts failing to convert lots of their goalscoring chances.
This led to their guests drawing the first blood in the game’s 17th minute, through Juliet Sunday’s powerful header which easily went past goalkeeper Doris Ohia.
Agama Ziperekefeghe scored with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area to draw the hosts level in the 73rd minute.
Ziperekefeghe‘s goal was the first Bayelsa Queens were conceding this season, and it was no surprise that their coach, Domo Okara, was full of praise for Naija Ratels.
He acknowledged that they put up a tough fight against his side.
“I have always known that it would be difficult playing against a team led by a World Cup coach like Olowookere.
“The team played well. They showed that they have been together for a very long time and understand themselves well on the pitch of play.
“In all, it was a good game, and I am satisfied with the one point we have.
“Now, we will go back to Yenagoa and see how we can wrestle and get three points against Delta Queens whom we will facing next at home,” Okara said.
NAN reports that Bayelsa Queens are currently in second place with 11 points from five matches, while Naija Ratels who have played one game more are in fourth place with seven points.(NAN)
KN
Tags: Bankole Olowookere Domo Okara Naija Ratels Football Club
