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Nigeria Football League

NWFL Championship: DreamStar Ladies, Imo Striker Queens, Wazbak Make Winning Statements on Opening Day

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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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Nigeria Football League

NWFL Championship: Promotion Race Intensifies as Matchday Two Takes Centre Stage in Calabar

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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.

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Nigeria Football League

Swedish Giants AIK Snap Up Another Nigerian Wonderkid As Inspire FA Star Begins European Dream

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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.

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Our Time Is Now!’ – Unification FC Fires Promotion Warning Ahead of NWFL Championship

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As the countdown to the 2026 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship gathers momentum, Director of Unification FC, Oyekan Oluwatobi, has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete for promotion despite being drawn in one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.

Unification FC will face Rangers Women FC, Fortress Ladies FC, and Wazbak Int’l Sports Academy in Group C, where only one team will progress to the promotion playoffs. The championship is scheduled to hold in Calabar from July 9 to 16.

Read Also: NWFL Championship: From Rural Community to Premiership Dreams-Chosen Generation Angels Target Historic Promotion | Sports247 Nigeria

Speaking exclusively with Sports247, Oluwatobi said the club is approaching the competition with optimism and a strong sporting spirit.

“We definitely share a positive mindset to scale through in the spirit of sportsmanship, in a free and fair arena,” he said.

With just one promotion playoff ticket available, every point will be crucial, but the club director maintained that Unification FC remains focused on giving its best throughout the competition.

Reflecting on the club’s ambitions, Oluwatobi acknowledged that while promotion remains the target, success should also be measured by the team’s continued development.

“Disappointment varies because it might occur due to circumstances or by other people, but growth is key, especially when it is visible,” he explained.

He attributed the club’s steady rise to a deliberate long-term strategy aimed at developing players both on and off the pitch.

“Our consistency at national, state, and divisional levels from inception to the present is a testament to our intentional effort towards growth and sustainability. We formulated a ‘Grow Together Plan’ that strategically enhances the development of the girls on and off the field, thereby projecting both the players and the club on the state, national, and international stage.”

Oluwatobi also called on the club’s supporters, stakeholders, and football enthusiasts to continue believing in the team’s vision.

“We want our players, fans, supporters, and stakeholders to keep the hope alive about a rewarding future.”

According to him, promotion to the NWFL Premiership would extend beyond sporting success, creating new opportunities for investment and the continued development of women’s football in Nigeria.

“Our advancement would further open channels for local and foreign investors, sponsors, and partners—not just for Unification FC but for the entire Nigerian women’s football space.”

With kickoff set for July 11 in Calabar, Unification FC will be aiming to transform years of steady growth into a historic promotion to the NWFL Premiership, further cementing its place among Nigeria’s emerging forces in women’s football.

The post Our Time Is Now!’ – Unification FC Fires Promotion Warning Ahead of NWFL Championship appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

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