Sports
2020/2021 League Season: NWFL Picks Dec 9 Kick- Off Date
The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has picked December 9 as the kick- off date for the 2020/ 2021 premiereship season, across the country.
The women League’s Management Board has said that the date would not be changed as the draws for the 2020/2021 gets closer. The Chief Operating Officer of the League, Mrs Faith Ben-Anuge, in a statement said that the board will soon embark on official inspection of all the designated league venues a cross the country to ensure that all venues are ready for the task ahead.
Anuge, however said that as the deadline for registration for the NWFL Championship and nationwide League closes, more Nigerian women clubs have indicated interest in participating in two tiers of the league.
Earlier, the leadership of the Nigeria Women Football League headed by Aisha Falode, has applauded the management of two NWFL Premiership clubs, former champions, Nazarawa Amazons and Edo Queens Football Club, for beating the deadline for club licensing registration and doing all due diligence ahead of the 2020/21 league season.
Falode, commended the leadership of the two clubs whose actions demonstrated their readiness to take the new season by storm.
“These are two top clubs that just rebuilt the leadership of their club managements to reflect the seriousness of the two state governments in the business of women football.
“Nazarawa and the Edo State government are no doubt in the forefront of women’s football club management in Nigeria. What they just did was sending messages out to other states and privately-owned clubs in the NWFL Premiership, that they are out for a big deal this season. Especially, as all the clubs are top contenders for the inuagural CAF Women Champions League in 2021.
“We in the NWFL salute the two states government for living up to expectations in the Club Licencing / Registration of the clubs. What this tells us is that, the newly adopted straight league would be very interesting as other clubs are putting in extra efforts to make sure they beat the deadline before the expiration,” Falode added
Anuge noted that: “Four new teams have joined the old four in the division to increase the number to a total eight, that would eventually play in the new season, while in the Nationwide, there are a total 20 clubs newly registered in all. This she added was a mark improvement over the previous seasons.
The NWFL Premiership will open on December 9, with matches in Lafia, Yola, Lokoja, Lagos, Yenagoa, Benin City, Umuahia and Osogbo.
Week 1þã Fixtures of the 2020/2021 NWFL Premiership.
(Weds, December 9th, 2020.)
1. Nasarawa Amazons < FCRobo Queens.
2. Adamawa Queens < Rivers Angels
3. Confluence Queens < Ibom Angels
4. Dreams Stars < Delta Queens
5. Bayelsa Queens < Pelican Stars
6. Edo Queens < Royal Queens
7. Abia Angels < Osun Babes
8. Sunshine Queens < Heartland Queens.
By: Nancy Briggs
Sports
Amusan places third in Diamond League opener
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
Sports
Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Sports
Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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