Naija Ratels coach, Bankole Olowookere has emphasized that his team are the underdogs heading into the Women’s Federation Cup final against the eight-time champions, Rivers Angels, in Lagos.

Speaking ahead of the game he said “We thank God for bringing us this far in the competition. During the league’s regular season, we did not meet our own expectations. However, our goal at the beginning of the season included performing well in the Cup, and now we are in the final.

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

We want to achieve this for our proprietor and for our supporters, who have stood by us through victory and defeat, through thick and thin. I can assure you that Naija Ratels are determined to make history.”

Olowookere led the Nigeria U17 girls, Flamingos, to win bronze medals for the first time at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India two years ago. 

He has also qualified the team for this year’s finals in the Dominican Republic.

Naija Ratels is the first club from Abuja in 24 years to reach the women’s final of the Cup. In 2000, FCT Queens lost to the same Rivers Angels in the final.