Greek outfit OFI Crete Women’s FC has successfully signed Copper Queens duo Hazel Nali and Susan Banda. The club announced their two newest additions on Thursday, bolstering their squad for the 2024–25 Greek A Division.
Nali, who last played in Turkey, has been out of action for over a year as she continues to recuperate from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. As a result, the Zambia goalkeeper did not make the 2024 Paris Olympics squad, nor did her new club teammate Susan Banda, who is also recovering from an injury.
What do we know about OFI Crete WFC?
Omilos Filathlon Irakliou (OFI) Crete Women’s Football Club was founded in 2015.
The club is located in Heraklion, the largest city on a Greek island known as Crete.
Crete is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece, as it houses some attractive beaches and luxurious hotels.
OFI Crete WFC play most of their home matches at the 1000-seater Vardinogianneio Athlitiko Kentro 1 stadium.
For their traditional kit, the club primarily wears the colours black and white, with orange often used as the second choice in recent years.
In the 2015-16 season, OFI Crete WFC kicked off their football journey in the Greek women’s third tier. Following consecutive promotions, the Heraklion-based club made it to the Greek Division A in 2017.
Since the 2019–20 season, they have maintained top-flight status and have now established themselves among the best teams in the first division. Putting aside their promotion titles, OFI Crete has yet to win a piece of silverware at the highest level.
In the 2023–24 season, the club finished 2nd in the Greek women’s top flight, their best ever league finish. They also reached the semifinals of the 2024 Greek Women’s Cup.
Starting last season, the Greek Division A ditched the playoff format and instead opted for a single league with 14 teams. At the end of the season, the top team wins the league title and qualifies for the UEFA Women’s Champions League playoffs, while the bottom four teams suffer automatic relegation.
With the statement signings of Hazel Nali and Susan Banda, OFI Crete WFC will be hoping to challenge the monopoly of PAOK WFC and win their first league title in the 2024–25 season.
