Nigeria Football League
NWFL Championship: “We Are Ready for the Toughest Group, Says Wazbak Coach Adeniyi Adekola
Wazbak Int’l Sports Academy coach Adeniyi Wasiu Adekola has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the 2026 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship despite being drawn in what many consider the competition’s toughest group.
The Lagos-based side has been placed in Group C alongside Rangers Women FC, Fortress Ladies FC, and Unification FC, with only one ticket available for the promotion playoffs.
Speaking exclusively with Sports247 ahead of the tournament in Calabar, Adekola admitted that his team faces a difficult task but insisted that Wazbak is preparing thoroughly for the challenge.
“We’re preparing ahead despite the fact that Group C is the toughest group of all. We will try our possible best to be in good shape and work hard because every point is vital,” he said.
With a place in the promotion playoffs at stake, the Wazbak coach believes his youthful squad can rise to the occasion.
“We won’t relent despite parading one of the youngest teams in the league. We will make sure we take our chances and utilize them well.”
Wazbak has built a strong reputation for nurturing young talents, and Adekola reiterated that player development remains the club’s primary objective.
“The team is full of young players, and if you check the squad, you will understand my point. There is no pressure on the players because we are developing them for bigger stages in their careers. However, gaining promotion will help shape these players and expose them to greater opportunities.”
Although he declined to reveal the specific strengths that could give his side an advantage over their opponents, Adekola assured supporters that the team would leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of success.
“We will make sure we work very hard to achieve this together in every area of the team,” he added.
The coach also delivered a message of unity to the club’s supporters and stakeholders.
“We will try our possible best to achieve this together. We will work very hard and be stronger in every circumstance on and off the pitch. At the end, they will be proud of us.”
According to Adekola, promotion to the NWFL Premiership would be a landmark achievement for the club and women’s football in Lagos State.
“It will reshape the club into an elite side and be a great addition to the success story of the Centre of Excellence, Lagos State.”
The 2026 NWFL Championship kicks off on July 11 in Calabar, with Group C and D fixtures set to take place at the St. Patrick’s College Stadium as clubs battle for promotion to Nigeria’s top-flight women’s league.
The post NWFL Championship: “We Are Ready for the Toughest Group, Says Wazbak Coach Adeniyi Adekola appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
Nigeria Football League
NWFL Championship: Promotion Race Intensifies as Matchday Two Takes Centre Stage in Calabar
The battle for promotion to the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership resumes on Monday as teams return to action for a decisive Matchday Two of the 2026 NWFL Championship in Calabar.
Following an entertaining opening day that produced 20 goals across eight matches, clubs will be eager to strengthen their promotion ambitions, while others fight to revive their campaigns after disappointing starts.
Read Also: Encouraging Sports Participation Among Young Girls for Future Maternal Health By Dr Ugwueke
In Group A, all eyes will be on the clash between First Mahi Babes and DreamStar Ladies at the U.J. Esuene Stadium. DreamStar Ladies head into the fixture brimming with confidence after a commanding 3-1 victory over Rosaria Victrix, while First Mahi Babes will be desperate to bounce back from their narrow defeat to Delta Babes. Earlier in the day, Delta Babes face Rosaria Victrix in another crucial encounter.
Group B action begins with Gallant Queens taking on Pelican Stars, who opened their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Ikukuoma Queens. The second fixture sees Ikukuoma Queens battle Moje Queens, with both teams looking to improve their positions in the standings.
At St. Patrick’s Stadium, unbeaten sides Wazbak Int’l Sports Academy and Rangers Women FC lock horns in what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the day in Group C. Wazbak will aim to build on their dramatic 3-2 victory over Fortress Ladies, while Rangers seek their first win after settling for a goalless draw against Unification FC. The other Group C fixture pits Unification FC against Fortress Ladies.
Group D also promises intense action as Chosen Generation Angels attempt to recover from their opening-day defeat when they face Ghetto Tigers, who edged Kwara Ladies 1-0 in their first outing. Meanwhile, Imo Striker Queens, fresh from an emphatic 3-0 victory over Chosen Generation Angels, will seek another maximum haul against Kwara Ladies.
With only one team from each group advancing to the promotion playoffs, every point is becoming increasingly valuable as the championship enters a pivotal stage.
Football fans can expect another day of high-quality action as the quest for promotion to the NWFL Premiership gathers momentum in Calabar.
The post NWFL Championship: Promotion Race Intensifies as Matchday Two Takes Centre Stage in Calabar appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
Nigeria Football League
Swedish Giants AIK Snap Up Another Nigerian Wonderkid As Inspire FA Star Begins European Dream
Another exciting Nigerian football talent has taken a major step towards the professional game after Shedrack Chiwunba Eboh departed Lagos for Sweden to begin his development with AIK Fotboll, one of the country’s most successful clubs.
The highly-rated left-footed attacker, who developed at Inspire FA in Lagos State, has safely arrived in Sweden, where he will begin training with the Allsvenskan giants as he looks to earn his first professional contract.
The move was facilitated by SGM Sports Management, led by its Chief Executive Officer Gideon Godwin, who accompanied the youngster to the airport before his departure.
Godwin has earned a growing reputation for creating pathways for talented Nigerian footballers to Europe, working closely with partner clubs and scouts across the continent to provide opportunities for promising young players.
«Shedrack now joins AIK Fotboll with the opportunity to continue his football education in one of Scandinavia’s most respected youth development environments.»
AIK, popularly known as “Gnaget,” are one of Sweden’s most decorated football clubs, having won multiple Allsvenskan titles and consistently producing players who have gone on to enjoy successful careers across Europe’s top leagues.
Shedrack follows in the footsteps of fellow Nigerian youngster Zadok Yohanna, who also secured an opportunity to continue his football development in Sweden through similar pathways.
The move represents another positive milestone for grassroots football in Nigeria, highlighting the increasing global recognition of the country’s young talents and the growing role of private football academies and player development agencies in connecting them with clubs abroad.
Shedrack is expected to begin training with AIK’s development setup immediately as he looks to impress the club’s technical staff and earn a professional contract in Swedish football.
The post Swedish Giants AIK Snap Up Another Nigerian Wonderkid As Inspire FA Star Begins European Dream appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
Nigeria Football League
NWFL Championship: DreamStar Ladies, Imo Striker Queens, Wazbak Make Winning Statements on Opening Day
The 2026 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship got off to a thrilling start in Calabar on Saturday, with six teams recording victories as the race for promotion to the NWFL Premiership officially commenced.
READ ALSO: NWFL Championship Return to Calabar, Kick Set for July Kick Off
Sports247 reports that 20 goals were scored across eight matches on an action-packed Matchday One, highlighting the quality and competitiveness of this year’s tournament.
In Group A, DreamStar Ladies delivered one of the standout performances of the day, defeating Rosaria Victrix 3-1. Anuoluwapo Awotidoye bagged a brace, while Khadija Kamarudeen added another to hand the Lagos side an impressive opening victory.
Delta Babes also began their campaign on a winning note, overcoming First Mahi Babes 2-1 courtesy of goals from Miracle Edafe and Nancy Kehinde.
Group B produced mixed fortunes as Pelican Stars edged Ikukuoma Queens 2-1 through strikes from Amarachi Abel and Ewa Peace.
Meanwhile, Moje Queens and Gallant Queens shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, the first stalemate of the championship.
In Group C, Wazbak International Sports Academy emerged as one of the day’s biggest winners, battling to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Fortress Ladies despite facing stern resistance. Rangers Women and Unification FC, however, settled for a goalless draw in a tightly contested encounter.
Group D belonged to Imo Striker Queens, who produced the most dominant display of the opening round with a convincing 3-0 triumph over Chosen Generation Angels.
Mmesoma Amaechi scored twice after Anastasia Uzor had opened the scoring. Ghetto Tigers also secured a valuable 1-0 victory against Kwara Ladies, with Gift Udo Mama netting the decisive goal.
With only one team from each group progressing to the promotion playoffs, the opening results have already intensified the battle for qualification.
Attention now shifts to Matchday Two, where several clubs will be aiming to consolidate their positions, while others look to revive their promotion hopes after disappointing starts.
The championship continues in Calabar with every point proving crucial in the race for a place in the NWFL Premiership.
The post NWFL Championship: DreamStar Ladies, Imo Striker Queens, Wazbak Make Winning Statements on Opening Day appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
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