By Aliamin Olanipekun
Rivers Angels coach Whyte Ogbonda has finally secured his first trophy as a head coach, leading his team to a 1-0 victory over Naija Ratels in the President Federation Cup women’s final at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos. This triumph marks a significant milestone for Ogbonda, who had previously been unsuccessful in his bid to become the national U-17 team head coach due to his lack of titles.
Ogbonda reflected on his past experience during the post-match interview, stating, “I remember when I went for the U-17 interview, and they asked me what I had won as a coach. Now, I have won a national title, and I’m adding it to my CV.” This victory is particularly sweet for Ogbonda, who had lost two previous Federation Cup finals as head coach of Ibom Angels in 2017 and 2018.
The win also brings relief after losing the Nigeria Women Football League title to Edo Queens. Ogbonda attributed his previous failures to inexperience in his team, but with a mix of experienced and young players at Rivers Angels, he felt pressure to deliver. “If I couldn’t get this Federation Cup, it means I haven’t done a good job,” he said. With this achievement, Ogbonda has demonstrated his capabilities as a head coach and enhanced his chances of securing future national team roles.