Sports
Dolphins, Sharks Chase Away Points … As League Resumes
The Nigeria Premier League (MPL) would resume this weekend after an enforced break occasioned by the recent nationwide strike as a result of the removal of Fuel Subsidy by the Federal Government.
The 2012 League season had witnessed only week one matches before the interregnum.
Tomorrow in one of the week four matches, league champions, Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt will be visitors to Kwara United.
It is unarguable that the encounter would be keenly contested, as the home team needs the maximum points at stake to put them in good stead to challenge for the stakes this season.
However, Dolphins FC has shown readiness to defend their title, especially, after defeating the league’s runner-up in the last season, sunshine stars by a lone goal in the opening fixture of the season.
The Stanley Eguma tutored boys have also promised to ensure that they maintain the doggedness and form that saw them win the title last term to make the state proud.
Eguma in one of his interviews had said that the club has signed about 10 new players in order to beef-up the team.
According to him, the new players did not play during the match against Sunshine, due to few clearance problems adding that most of them would feature against Kwara United.
Thus, he has expressed confidence that his team would be going into tomorrow’s tie with the intention to win.
According to him, Dolphins are determined to do well and will be targeting maximum points home and away this season.
Kwara United, however, will not be a push over, as they would want to exploit home advantage and to consolidate on the league table early in the seaon.
On Sunday, at the Enyimba International Stadium, Sharks FC of Port Harcourt will be guests to the People’s Elephant, Enyimba FC.
The encounter is also expected to be explosive and highly competitive because, Sharks would want to avoid two straight losses this early in the season.
They will certainly go all out to match their hosts in every department of the game.
Matches between the two sides are always seen as a derby and this one will not be different.
The tie has the potential of being a thriller as Enyimba, opening day 2-0 winners over ABS FC will target another full points.
Tonye Orabere
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.
