The EFFL Major Cup is coming to an end and we’re ready to put the teams under the microscope. This tournament has definitely been different on many levels but as some things change, others don’t. As we go on with this article, you’ll find the teams have been put into 4 categories. The top 4 will be divided into “Undefeated” and “Clinched” and the lower 4 into “Almost made it” and “Underdogs” categories. These categories are the author’s ideas and don’t represent any other.
The Undefeated
The Eagles and Warriors have finished on top of this cup, both undefeated. While both teams seem close, yet they are so different.
The Eagles Ladies have been carrying their men’s team legacy of undefeated streaks, being champions, and always making statements. The Eagles have secured 4 wins in this tournament with 114 PD.
The Cairo Warriors also have a legacy to uphold, but it’s their own as they are the first female flag football team in Egypt, and they are the first to compete in international games The Warriors are also title holders from their championship win back in season 2. They have secured 4 wins this season with 66 PD.
The Eagles roster, being the largest amongst the ladies as it has more than 30 active players. However, the Warriors are far from the number with 19 active players. Challenging enough, the Warriors managed to go undefeated securing their playoffs spot. Of course, with such a small number of players, you’d assume they can’t risk losing a player. Coach Ashraf had a different opinion though as he removed 3 of his strongest players off the roster for being late. Shereen, Rana Sharshar and Nourhan samy were not allowed on field after being removed by their coach showing his intolerance towards lack of discipline.
The Eagles will now face the Cairo Bears in the Playoffs next Week, will their streak finally be challenged? Although these two teams have already faced in the season giving the Eagles a 19-7 win, the Cairo Bears’ performance this season says they’re back to fight and we’re expecting a very heated game from both those teams.
The Warriors on the other hand will play against the Wolves who have been going a little under the radar this season but have managed to secure their spot in the playoffs.
Clinched
The Cairo Bears have come back with a winner’s attitude this season, which reminds us a lot of their men’s team performance last season. Although, as we look closely we will find Haidy Wael and Farah Yasser responsible for their team’s strong performance.
Haidy has started to play both ways this season, excelling at both. While Farah has been the star receiver of the Bears and this season was no different. While these two may shine the brightest we must admit a whole army had to be behind the highest score in EFFL history; their 63 to nothing win against the Thunder. Currently Cairo Bears have secured 3 wins this season with 92 PD.
With this new winning attitude, will the Bears’ ladies be able to break the Eagles’ streak like we watched the men’s team defeat a hardly defeated Eagles last season?
The Cairo Wolves on the other hand, have clinched their spot as the points differential was in their favor. The Cairo Wolves have secured 2 wins this season with a 13 PD.
The Wolves have always been a tough competitor in the league, being the first team to ever be crowned the EFFL championship, the team definitely knows how to win. However, the Wolves progress remained stagnant while other teams may have found ways to enhance their game.
This almost cost them this cup’s playoffs, so shall we expect the Wolves to fight their way back to the top?
Almost made it
The Cairo Hell Hounds have had strong performances and lesser ones as well. But in the end, the Hounds were tied up in points with the Wolves and could’ve made it to the playoffs, their points differential however was far from giving them the spot. While they were tied in wins, 2, the Hounds PD of -16 didn’t put them forward.
The Hounds ladies have been slower in progress than their men’s team. While they were able to pull off impressive plays throughout the season, their performance lacked the strength to make it to playoffs showing how they still need time to position their team as a winner. Will they be ready for the Battle of the West?
The AUC Titans on the other hand has been unexpected all season, with good performances against the Hounds and Tigers, yet 3 losses. It seems like the Titans were finding their groove after the return of their QB Aliaa Haytham.
The Titans are also struggling without one of EFFL’s strongest players, Psycho. Will they be looking into replacing her or will they move on with a different offensive approach? The Titans definitely have some unfulfilled potential and might just find their way in time for the next battle. The Titans have secured 1 win and came out with a -35 PD.
The Underdogs
The MSA Tigers and Gezira Thunder have finished this season with zero wins. But there’s always more to the story than just numbers. While the Tigers have a -50 PD, the Thunder have -184.
The Thunder have been a competitor from day one in EFFL. This season however it seems that their players gave up on them. While some quit, others moved to other teams leaving the Thunder with 3 veteran players and more rookies than the team could’ve handled.
It also seems like the Thunder’s tryouts and rookie camp were rushed, putting their rookies on field when they weren’t ready to compete. What forced their players away from the team though? Well that’s a question for another time.
The Tigers were able to secure 5 of those ex Thunder players making such an impact on the Tigers’ squad. With two players who once played for the Tigers then moved to the Thunder and finally back with the Tigers. In addition, two of the Thunder’s strongest assets, their running back and their safety. Then, followed by a QB mid-season.
Yes, you read that right, mid-season. The Thunder’s Ex QB Yara Tawheed had moved to the Wolves, while she was on their roster for the first two games, she didn’t get her playing time having veteran player Randa Badawy starting for her team.
Yara then decided to join the Tigers, and while such a move is unusual, the instability of the tournament let it happen. while other owners were asked about the incident and didn’t know about it.
The Tiger’s performance has much improved after this transfer and while they weren’t able to secure their first win yet, their performance was competitive and kept the audience on edge. We’re expecting to see the new and improved Tigers making progress in the future.
Below are the current team standings going into the final week of the EFFl Major Cup.
| Team | Wins | Losses | PF | PA | PD |
| Eagles | 4 | 0 | 127 | 13 | 114 |
| Warriors | 4 | 0 | 73 | 7 | 66 |
| Bears | 3 | 1 | 131 | 39 | 92 |
| Wolves | 2 | 2 | 52 | 39 | 13 |
| Hounds | 2 | 2 | 59 | 75 | -16 |
| Titans | 1 | 3 | 34 | 69 | -35 |
| Tigers | 0 | 4 | 41 | 91 | -50 |
| Thunder | 0 | 4 | 0 | 184 | -184 |
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