The maiden edition of the Lagos Queens Cup reached a fitting climax on Saturday as FC Robo Queens were crowned champions after edging Ayisat Yusuf FA 4-2 on penalties following a fiercely contested goalless draw at the Legacy Pitch, Surulere, Lagos.
The final delivered the intensity expected of two of the tournament’s standout sides, with both teams producing disciplined defensive displays and creating enough chances to claim victory before the match was ultimately decided from the penalty spot.
FC Robo Queens came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute when Mariam Yahaya’s powerful effort struck the woodwork after an incisive attacking move. At the other end, Ayisat Yusuf FA almost found the breakthrough through Awawu Iyanda, who rounded goalkeeper Mercy Olodu, only for the alert Robo defence to recover in time and clear the danger.
Neither side could find the decisive goal during regulation time, setting up a dramatic penalty shootout in which FC Robo Queens held their composure to secure a 4-2 victory and become the first-ever Lagos Queens Cup champions.
Earlier in the day, FA Victory Queens secured third place with a deserved 1-0 victory over CATS Ladies. Olaronke Ola continued her impressive tournament by scoring the decisive goal in the 28th minute after an excellent assist from Chidera Isaiah. The strike, Ola’s third of the competition, capped another accomplished performance and underlined Victory Queens’ consistency throughout the tournament.
Beyond the results, the Lagos Queens Cup reaffirmed its objective of creating genuine development pathways for young female footballers. The competition attracted notable international scouts, including Faith Ikidi-Michael, Maiju Ruotsalainen, Marko Saranlinna and James Burgin, who closely monitored players across the four-day tournament with a view to identifying prospects for opportunities abroad.
The successful staging of the inaugural competition was made possible through the collaboration of the Lagos State Football Association, 36 Lion Investment, Herizon Sports Initiative, Ayisat Yusuf Football Foundation, Diego Nakamura, Ivory Health Club and the Africa Football Empowerment Congress, whose collective commitment reinforced the growing investment in women’s football development in Nigeria.
Speaking after the final, Lagos State Football Association Chairman Hajji Gafar praised the quality of talent on display and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to expanding opportunities for girls through sustained investment in women’s football.
“As an association, we will not stop here. We will invest more in women’s football because this is where the future is. We need to create more platforms like this so our girls can be seen, be scouted and get the opportunities they deserve.”
Gafar also commended the tournament’s partners for their shared vision in advancing the women’s game.
“I want to thank our partners for pulling their resources together to support the girl child. Without Herizon Sports Initiative, Ayisat Yusuf Football Foundation, Diego Nakamura, Ivory Health Club and Africa Football Empowerment Congress, this would not have been possible. This is teamwork, and this is how we grow the game.”
The successful conclusion of the inaugural Lagos Queens Cup represents another significant milestone in the growth of women’s football in Nigeria. With elite youth talent showcased before international scouts and key stakeholders, attention now turns to ensuring that the tournament delivers on its promise of transforming scouting interest into meaningful career opportunities.
By combining elite competition, player development and international exposure, the Lagos Queens Cup has established itself as an important platform capable of accelerating the next generation of Nigerian women’s football stars onto the continental and global stage.
