Sports
NNL: ABS Beats Aklosendi In Ilorin
Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC came from a goal down to beat visiting Aklosendi International of Lafia 2-1 on Saturday in Ilorin.
The Tidesports source reports that the match day 6 2018/2019 abridged Nigeria National League (NNL) encounter was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin on Saturday.
The visitors started the game brightly and were rewarded for it in the third minute when Ismaila Bello’s curling shot deflected into ABS net.
ABS pushed for the equaliser through the right flank as Chigozirim Metu had five crosses in eight minutes into the Aklosendi box with Alao Danbani nodding wide on two occasions while Joseph Jatau dealt with the remaining.
However, Danbani who was always tormenting the Aklosendi defence put up a fine display in the 20th minute to level the scores.
The lanky attacker was freed by Charles Eguavon before he dribbled no fewer than three Aklosendi defenders and stretched Jatau to his right but the ball was faster than the goalkeeper.
Danbani again called Jatau into action in the 24th minute when Eguavon released him but the goalkeeper responded well and parried the striker’s shot to corner.
ABS’s push for another goal was always punctuated by a resilient Aklosendi defence with Danbani and Eguavon asking questions most time with their perfect combination.
The Captain of ABS, Ebuka Anaekwe who showed his experience, led the hosts well and almost double their lead in the 43rd minute when he used his pace and dribbling skills to beat the Aklosendi defenders but Jatau again reacted well to concede a corner.
Danbani again asked Jatau question and the Aklosendi goalkeeper responded with a big save.
Six minutes into the restart, Charles Eguavon double the lead for the hosts when he finished off Danbani’s rebound shot.
ABS dominated proceedings afterwards but the visitors gave a good fight but not enough to get anything from the match.
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.
