Sports
Mixed Reactions Trail Female AFCON Draws
Nigerians have contin
ued to react to the recent draws of the 2016 African Women Nations Cup (AFCON) made by the Africa Football Confederation (CAF).
The competition which is expected to kick-off in November this year will be hosted by Cameroon.
Nigeria is in group B, paired along side Ghana, Kenya and Mali.
However, many Nigerians have different opinions about the draws.
The Technical Adviser of Ibom Queens FC of AKwa –Ibom, Whyte Ogbondah, said: “ I am confident that Nigeria will emerge victorious in their group; it is true that you cannot underrate any team, yet I know that the national female team Super Falcons, has what it takes to represent their father-land well and bring glory to the nation.
He advised them (the team) to be focused and double their efforts to ensure the desired result at the championship.
‘My advice for them is to double their effort and not to relent in their endeavours as they battle for honours come November, this year”.
Also, in her reactions team manager of the Rivers Angels, Matilda Onyiloha, said the draw is not bad, but we have to work out our victory. It does not actually matter the group you find yourself in, all you need do is farther than put yourself to work and be on track with adequate preparations to ensure that your dream is achieved.
“I think that Nigeria will do great in their group, they will go I am sure of”.
Lucky Atu, Captain of the Rivers Angels FC has said, the team has not disappointed the country in the past editions of the competition.
“The team would not start now to put us to shame, I can assure you they will do us proud; those we have in the group are not an issue, we need to work for what we desire and so the solution to our success lies with us. If we go for victory then victory we will get’.
In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.
The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.
Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.
The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.
The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.
