Nigeria Leagues
Bwari pip Kuje to win maiden FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Council Championship
Bwari Area Council have completed a remarkable grassroots football double after emerging champions of the second edition of the FCT Football Association (FCT FA) Women’s Inter-Area Council Championship.
Bwari defeated Kuje 1-0 in Saturday’s final at the Area 3 Football Pitch in Abuja to lift the women’s title and replicate their success in the men’s competition.
The six-team tournament, which ran from August 21 to September 5, provided female footballers from across the six Area Councils with a competitive platform to showcase their talents.
The decisive moment in the final came just one minute after kick-off when Patricia Habila struck to hand Bwari an early lead.
Kuje responded with sustained pressure in search of an equaliser, but Bwari’s defence held firm to protect their advantage and secure the championship.
The triumph means Bwari are now champions of both the men’s and women’s editions of the FCT FA Inter-Area Council competitions, underlining the Area Council’s impressive showing in grassroots football.
Defending champions Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) settled for third place after drawing 1-1 with Kwali in the third-place playoff before securing a 3-1 victory on penalties to claim the bronze medal.
The second edition of the women’s tournament further strengthened the FCT FA’s grassroots women’s football development programme by providing young players with regular competitive opportunities and a platform for talent identification.
FCT FA Chairman Adam Mouktar Mohammed congratulated Bwari on their success and commended all participating Area Councils for their commitment to developing women’s football.
“This is exactly what grassroots football development should be about, giving young players the opportunity to compete, gain experience and be identified. We are encouraged by what we have seen and will continue to support competitions that create opportunities for our girls,” Mohammed said.
He added that the FCT FA would continue to work with the Area Councils to expand the competition and establish a stronger pathway for talented female players to progress from grassroots football to higher levels.
FCT FA Board Member and Head of Women’s Football, Pat Ajuma Ayegba, also praised the players and officials, describing the tournament as another important step towards growing women’s football across the Federal Capital Territory.
“The competitiveness of the tournament shows that there is a lot of talent at the grassroots. Our goal is to keep providing these players with opportunities to play, develop and ultimately progress to bigger stages,” Ayegba said.
Ayegba congratulated Bwari on their achievement and commended all six Area Councils for their participation, while expressing confidence that subsequent editions would become even more competitive and create greater opportunities for female footballers across the FCT.
