Sunshine Queens head coach Rafiu Oseni excited with Federation Cup preparation for NWFL Championship

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Rafiu Oseni, the Head Coach of Sunshine Queens FC, has emphasized that the 2025 President Federation Cup served as a vital preparatory event for his squad as they approach the Championship playoffs.

He expressed confidence to the supporters of Sunshine Queens, assuring them that the team is on track for promotion back to the top tier of women’s football this season, with several talented players already in training.

Oseni noted that these new additions will enhance the current roster during the playoffs, stating, ‘We have some players in the team who were not eligible to play for us in this year’s President Federation Cup, but will be available for the Championship.”

This announcement follows a challenging 0-4 loss to the Nasarawa Amazons, a contender for the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Super Six, in the quarter-finals of the President Federation Cup held at Akwa City Stadium in Anambra State.

The coach praised his young players for their resilience against a more seasoned team, acknowledging the need for additional experienced players to strengthen the squad.

“They performed admirably against a team that is currently competing in the league. Sometimes, the style of play may not be reflected in the final score,”he remarked.

He highlighted the benefits of the President Federation Cup, which allowed for a thorough evaluation of the team’s capabilities, stating, “The deficiencies observed here will be addressed as soon as we return to our base in Akure.”

Despite the loss, he noted that his newly assembled team, which has been together for only four months, managed to keep the score close, trailing by just one goal at halftime.

“They lost a bit of focus in the final minutes, which our opponents capitalized on,” he added. Oseni reiterated that his team is still developing, assuring everyone that they will be fully prepared before the Championship begins.