Ikpeme Charges Edo Queens, Rangers, Rivers United, Others To Fly Nigeria’s Flag High

Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has charged Nigeria’s representatives in this weekend’s continental competitions to fight for victory and make the country proud.

Ikpeme expressed confidence in the ability of Edo Queens, Enugu Rangers, Rivers United, Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors to deliver positive results against their respective opponents.

Edo Queens, the 2024 WAFU-B Women’s Champions League winners, will face Ampem Darkoa of Ghana in the final of this year’s competition in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Saturday. Victory would secure Nigeria’s representatives a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.

In the CAF Champions League, Enugu Rangers and Rivers United begin their campaigns in the first preliminary round. Rivers United travel to Abidjan to face FC San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire, while Rangers host SOBEMAP FC of Benin Republic at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.

Shooting Stars will also host CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in a CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary-round, first-leg fixture at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, while El-Kanemi Warriors face Guinea’s Deportivo Nationale at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

“I have no doubt in the capacity of each of the teams flying the country’s flag this weekend to make Nigeria proud. However, it is not going to be picnic-time against their equally well-prepared and ambitious opponents,” Ikpeme said.

“Edo Queens have done very well to get to the final, and I believe they have enough left in their tank to deliver the goods against their Ghanaian opponents and bring the trophy to Nigeria.”

He challenged Rangers and Rivers United to help revive Nigeria’s fortunes in the CAF Champions League, noting that the country has gone more than two decades without winning the competition.

“Rangers and Rivers United have the responsibility to start a new song for Nigeria in the CAF Champions League, which we have not won in the past 22 years,” he added.

“Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors should also take to the pitch at their different venues with gusto, focus and positive energy. It is time that we begin the journey for a gradual return to the forefront of African club football competitions.”

Edo Queens have reached the WAFU-B final after an impressive run in Ouagadougou. They thrashed AS Garde Nationale of Niger Republic 7-0 and defeated ASEC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire 3-1 before suffering a 2-1 defeat by Ampem Darkoa in their final group-stage match.

They responded strongly in Wednesday’s semi-final, defeating hosts USFA of Burkina Faso 5-1 to set up another meeting with Ampem Darkoa in Saturday’s final at Stade August 4.