Manager of Ghetto Tigers Ladies, Azeez Mustapha, has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure promotion to the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership, insisting that desire and determination will ultimately separate the contenders in a fiercely competitive Group D of the NWFL Championship.
Speaking exclusively with Sports247, Mustapha acknowledged the quality of the opposition in a group that features experienced sides battling for a place in the top flight.
Read Also: Enabulele Applauds Falokun’s Elevation to Super Falcons Team Coordinator
“Our group houses three other quality sides who will be fighting tooth and nail to secure promotion into the NWFL Premiership, and rightfully so because of the reputation they have built over the years,” he said.
Despite the quality across the group, the Ghetto Tigers boss believes hunger and determination will be the deciding factors.
“In situations where teams are evenly matched in talent and aspirations, it is the team that shows the most desire that gets the ticket. We will approach every fixture with hunger, and I believe that is all that is required to get the desired result in Group D.”
Mustapha admitted that identifying the toughest opponent in the group is difficult, highlighting the pedigree of each team.
“Kwara Ladies are perennial contenders with valuable experience in the competition, Chosen Generation Angels are no pushovers, and this will be the third consecutive season that we will be facing Imo Strikers in the Championship.”
The manager also reflected on his side’s previous experiences in the competition, having competed in Calabar in 2024 and Abia last season.
“We faced the same pressure in Calabar in 2024. In Abia last season, it was pretty straightforward, but unfortunately, we couldn’t secure one of the four promotion slots on offer.”
With their opening match against Kwara Ladies scheduled for July 11, Mustapha said his team’s focus remains solely on the immediate challenge.
“The fact that there is another hurdle ahead takes your sight away from the immediate task, which is defeating Kwara Ladies. Every other thing will be decided after the ice is broken.”
He also pointed to the club’s youthful but experienced squad as one of its biggest strengths.
“Despite having an average age of 16, a good number of our players have already featured in three championships. The strength of this team is the collective will to perform.”
Mustapha reserved special appreciation for the club’s supporters and the leadership of Odi Olowo-Ojuwoye LCDA in Lagos.
“We are nothing without our fans, and we do not take their support for granted. We will do everything humanly possible to bring home the promotion ticket.”
According to him, promotion would be a reward for the unwavering support of the local government leadership and a source of pride for the entire Odi Olowo community, proving that hard work, dedication, and perseverance ultimately yield success.
