President Federation Cup: Bankole Olowookere hopes to make history with Naija Ratels

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The head coach of Naija Ratels FC, Bankole Olowookere intends to win the 2024 President Federation Cup title during his side’s first appearance in the final on Saturday.

The rock ahead of them is eight-time winners, Rivers Angels which were responsible for the defeat of the last team from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to reach the final in 2000, FCT Queens.

Olowookere who led the Nigeria U-17 girls to a bronze medal for the first time at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India is on another path to history.

“We thank God for taking us this far in the competition. During the league’s regular season, we did not quite meet up with our expectations,” Olowookere told thenff.com

“However, our target at the beginning of the season also included doing well in the Cup, and now we are in the final.

“For sure, we are the distinct underdogs against Rivers Angels that have won this trophy eight times before now. But no team is unbeatable. We have a plan and a strategy to emerge champions on Saturday.

The gaffer intends to win the title for the club proprietor, Barrister Paul Edeh who is the Chairman of Benue Football Association.

“We want to do this for our proprietor and for our supporters who have been with us through victory and defeat, through thick and thin. I can assure you that Naija Ratels are determined to make history.” He concluded.

After qualifying the Flamingos for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, Olowookere is entertaining no fear ahead of Saturday’s women’s final of the President Federation Cup against eight-time champions Rivers Angels in Lagos.

He is returning to Lagos where he tutored DreamStar FC Ladies in the women’s top flight during the 2021/2022 season before switching to the Abuja based side.