THE much -anticipated Dr Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament which will see six of Africa’s leading women National Teams competing for honours in the City of Lagos is only 30 days to its commencement.
Nine-time African champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria, are looking to rekindle rivalry with other top African teams in the women’s game at the invitational tourney themed Playing for Good.
The tournament is billed for 13th – 21st September 2021 and will also involve the women A teams of Cameroon, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco and Mali.
Super Falcons, presently in high spirits after a first-ever participation in the USWNT Summer Series in the United States of America and an 8-day training camp in Austria ahead of this tournament, are largely expected to re-assert their dominance and superiority in Africa, following their inability to make the just-concluded Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The Dr Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament, otherwise known as Aisha Buhari Cup, is enjoying the support of top football stakeholders in the country and all hands are on desk for a successful tournament, with an organizing committee peopled by tested administrators and technocrats.
Chairman of the LOC, Seyi Akinwunmi has stated that “the theme of the tournament resonated with the vision and mission of the organizing committee to use the tournament to uphold the honour of the name and Office of Her Excellency, highlight the good causes of the Aisha Buhari Foundation and build and sustain positive narratives about the City of Lagos and Nigeria at large.”
A Football Conference is planned for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in the coming weeks to further sensitize and galvanize the political and business environments to the principal objectives of the week-long tournament.
Cameroon’s Lionesses open camp for Aisha Buhari Cup
Head Coach Gabriel Zabo has invited 30 players to the camp of the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, 30 days to the commencement of the Dr Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament holding in Nigeria, 13th – 21st September 2021.
The Lionesses have been runners-up of the Women Africa Cup of Nations on four occasions, including the 2016 finals that Cameroon hosted, falling in the final hurdle when a late goal by Nigeria’s Desire Oparanozie ended their ambition at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde.
In Coach Zabo’s provisional list, which has only home-based professionals, are four goalkeepers, 10 defenders, eight midfielders and eight forwards.
The Lionesses made their debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals in Canada in 2015, and were also one of Africa’s flag-bearers at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France.
They are currently ranked number 2 in Africa (behind the Super Falcons) and 52nd in the world.
CAMEROON’S PROVISIONAL LIST:
Goalkeepers: Kirya Michaely Bihina; Ange Bawou; Marthe Ongmahan; Pauline Ayangma Alang
Defenders: Evanick Touta; Doudou Ousmanou; Laure Kong; Vanessa Kalieu; Dani Mimbang; Ambena Ewondo; Michelle Moumazin; Zeh Manga; Rita Wanki; Berthe Abega
Midfielders: Alice Maffo; Raissa Nyangbang Adama; Yvette Kamieta; Ebenye Ebongue; Monique Ngock Ngo; Fatima Kome; Edjenguele Endalle; Melvis Tantoh
Forwards: Eliane Bibout; Brenda Tabe; Alice Kameni; Batoum Ngo; Annie Enganaben; Latifa Ousmane; Lamine Mana; Adrienne Mekuko.
