By Sanee Yarima, Jalingo
As the maiden edition of the Northern Amateur Women’s Football League draws nearer, Afukonyo Babes FC Academy players in Taraba State have expressed their preparedness to become victorious at the upcoming event. The League, organised by the Northern Amateur Women’s Football League Association (NAWFA), is billed to commence on April 21, 2025, in Jos, Plateau State. The event will feature women’s football teams from the 19 Northern States and the FCT, Abuja.
The Afukunyo Babes FC Academy have been at camp in Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo, for over three weeks in preparation for the league.
Some players, Snelvy Gangtar, Akpena Precious Shimana, and Lami Fanu Promise, aired their minds in an interview with the media managers of the Academy, Mrs Sarah Mudwa and Mr Sani Yarima, shortly after their morning training on Tuesday,15th of April, 2025.
They said as humans, they are 99% prepared for the event, while one per cent left it for the Almighty God, believing that God will grant them victory.
The young, talented female footballers described High Chief Ezekiel Irimiya Afukonyo as a father who refused to allow his children’s talents to be wasted and appreciated him for sponsoring them from the onset of their football career.
According to them, “High Chief is an exceptional father, mentor, well, words cannot describe him. All we will say is for God to keep him for us, strengthen his heart, and open more doors to increase his wealth and enable him to continue with the philanthropic gestures.
Additionally, the players also appreciated their Technical Coach and the Captain of the Academy for their invaluable support in their growth and pledged their undoubted loyalty and commitment to ensuring success in all their outings.
“We are very grateful to our Coach and Captain, they are like a father and Mother to us because they are always there for us. We are receiving hard training, and we believe with our sponsor, High Chief Ezekiel Afukonyo, behind us, who is constantly visiting us, we will not disappoint him; we will make him proud by the grace of God.” The female footballers emphasized.
However, they encouraged other young female talents to think outside the box and know that with Sports, they can better their lives instead of going into marriage without acquiring a skill, such as sports or a job.