- ‘Edo Sports Now Leading Nigeria’s Revival’ — Enabulele
- By Edoko Wilson Edoko
Edo erupted in celebration on Tuesday as the victorious Edo Queens returned home to a hero’s welcome, with Governor Monday Okpebholo receiving the WAFU-B champions and announcing a N50 million cash reward for the team.
The atmosphere was electric as the Queens, who successfully defended their WAFU-B Women’s Champions League qualifying title in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, arrived at the Benin Airport to a colourful reception by government officials, sports administrators, stakeholders, supporters and jubilant fans.
From the airport, the champions embarked on a victory parade through Airport Road to Osadebey Avenue, where they were received by Governor Okpebholo amid cheers and celebrations.
The triumph secured Edo Queens a place in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League in South Africa, after the Nigerian champions defeated Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies in a dramatic final.
Speaking at the reception, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, described the feat as another historic milestone in the state’s sporting resurgence.
He said the team’s NWFL Super Six triumph had paved the way for Edo Queens to represent Nigeria at the WAFU-B tournament, where they successfully defended their title.
Enabulele attributed the team’s back-to-back successes to the commitment of the players, coaches and management, as well as sustained financial investment by the Edo State Government.
He specifically thanked Governor Okpebholo for the prompt release of funds for sporting programmes, stressing that adequate funding remained critical to the development of sports.
The Executive chairman singled out several players for their outstanding performances throughout the campaign.
He applauded Atume Doosuur, Esther Chioma Moses, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and assistant captain Valentina Uroko for their consistency and contributions to the team’s success.
Enabulele also praised Coach Moses Aduku, describing him as one of the finest female football coaches in Nigeria.
With Aduku away on national duty with the Falconets, Bendel Insurance FC Head Coach Kennedy Boboye was drafted in to lead Edo Queens during the WAFU-B tournament.
Enabulele thanked Boboye for accepting the challenge and guiding the team to another historic continental triumph.
Enabulele also reserved special praise for Edo APC Chairman, Chief Jarrett Tenebe, for his unwavering support for the team.
“This is not about politics. It is about showing sincere gratitude to a deserving person, irrespective of class or status,” he said.
He recalled Tenebe’s support during the NWFL Super Six in Port Harcourt and his subsequent presence in Burkina Faso during the WAFU-B campaign.
Enabulele further highlighted Edo’s growing influence in national sports.
He disclosed that six Edo players are currently part of the Falconets squad representing Nigeria at the FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Poland.
He also revealed that seven Edo players are in Nigeria’s Under-19 girls’ cricket team that has qualified for the World Cup, with an Edo player serving as captain.
Preparations for the cricket World Cup, he added, are taking place at the Edo High Performance Centre.
Governor Okpebholo, while addressing the players, praised their fighting spirit and said he had remained confident they would overcome Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the final.
“If you had won the first match against Ampem Darkoa Ladies of Ghana, they would have defeated you in the finals.
“I was very confident that our girls would make us proud, as this cup means a lot to our people,” the governor said.
He also recalled the dramatic penalty shootout that decided the final, praising the goalkeeper for her anticipation and composure during the crucial moment.
“That brilliant save 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,” he said.
The governor commended the entire team for its resilience, determination and fighting spirit, assuring the players of continued government support.
“As a government, we will continue to support and reward the team and create more opportunities for them to excel,” Okpebholo said.
The high point of the reception came when Governor Okpebholo announced a N50 million cash reward for the WAFU-B champions.
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.
For Edo State, the triumphant return of the Queens has provided another defining moment in the state’s sporting resurgence and reinforced its growing reputation as a powerhouse of Nigerian women’s football.
