CATS Ladies, a prominent Lagos-based football club, attributed their recent triumph in the Women Accredited Football Academy League to the supportive environment facilitated by the Lagos State government. The team secured the championship for the 2023/24 season by defeating Papa Soccer Ladies Academy 1-0 in a thrilling Super 8 final at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State on Sunday.
The decisive goal came in the first half through an own goal by their opponents, setting the stage for a closely contested match where both sides failed to score in the second half. CATS Ladies not only clinched the title but also dominated individual accolades, securing awards such as Best Goalkeeper, Most Valuable Player (MVP), and Best Coach.
Aisha Bolarinwa of Ghetto Tigers Ladies, who scored seven goals in the league, earned the highest goal scorer award, while the fair play award went to Honour Ladies Football Academy.
Agboola Dabiri, Project Director of CATS and former Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development dedicated the victory to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“In celebrating this achievement, we must acknowledge the pivotal role played by Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government in fostering an environment conducive to sporting excellence,” Dabiri remarked. “This triumph is a testament to the Governor’s commitment to youth development through sports.”
CATS, a non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering young individuals through sports, engages over 300 youths from disadvantaged backgrounds across Lagos State. The organization focuses on providing leadership training and vocational skills to equip them for meaningful contributions to society.
The Women Accredited Football Academy League (WAFA), organized by the Female Football Academy Proprietors (FEFAP), aims to spotlight amateur teams and prepare them for higher-level competitions like the Nigeria Women Football League. Adeboye Soneye, Chairman of the league, praised the competitive spirit and talent displayed during the Super 8 finals, highlighting the league’s role in nurturing women’s football talent in Nigeria.
