Bankole Olowookere, coach of Naija Ratels FC Abuja, said a win against Royal Queens FC of Warri in their forthcoming 2023/2024 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) encounter is crucial to relegation.
Olowookere, whose team is seventh in Group A and one spot away from relegation, said the victory at the just concluded FCT FA Cup tournament, would boost their confidence ahead of the tie.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Match Week 12 clash between the two bottom teams in the group, albeit one point separating both sides, is billed for Wednesday.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that the team would rely on the support of its fans.
“It has been a tough season for us, with lots of challenges.
“We lost a couple of players; many were transferred to other clubs and so we lacked the strength we usually had.
“ We have found ourselves in a very difficult situation and we must pick up a win tomorrow (Wednesday) in front of our home fans, if we hope to survive relegation.
“We also need to improve on our game.
“We failed to convert lots of scoring chances in our previous game against Adamawa Queens and it cost us that game. We cannot afford those errors tomorrow.
“With few matches remaining in the season, we have to win to maintain our position in the league, atleast for the reputation of our club and for our fans,’’ Olowookere said.
NAN reports that 16 teams, grouped into two are currently participating in the league, with the bottom team in each group, getting relegated to the Championship. (NAN)