Rivers Angel’s Whyte Ogbonda reacts to winning his first trophy as coach

Coach of Rivers Angels, Whyte Ogbonda expressed his delight at ending his trophyless run after guiding his team to their 9th National Cup title.

Blessing Okpe’s first-half penalty secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Naija Ratels, crowning the Jewels of Rivers as champions of the prestigious Women’s President Federation Cup.

In his post-match remarks, Ogbonda acknowledged the pressure he faced to secure a win. Previously, he had led Ibom Angels to second-place finishes in 2017 and 2018, both times losing to Rivers Angels. This victory marks a significant milestone in his managerial career.

Ogbonda revealed that the team was highly motivated following their narrow miss in the 2024 NWFL Premiership playoffs in Yenagoa, where they lost to eventual winners Edo Queens.

READ MORE: Rivers Angels secure ninth Federation Cup title

“The match wasn’t an easy one because I wasn’t expecting an easy game from Naija Ratels,” Ogbonda said. “I’ve joined a team like Rivers Angels where I have experienced and young players capable of winning trophies. There was pressure on me to win, and I am happy today to have broken the jinx as a trophyless coach.”

He added, “The team was well-motivated because after losing the NWFL, we told them they needed to boost their market value and bargaining power by ending the season with a trophy. That spurred them to work hard and achieve the result today.”

This triumph not only breaks Ogbonda’s personal trophyless streak but also reinforces Rivers Angels’ status as a dominant force in Nigerian women’s football.