Sports
My Players Disappointed Me – Moroccan Coach
The Atlas Lions of Mo
rocco Coach, Hassan Benabicha, said his players disappointed him during the quarter-final match with the Super Eagles in the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).
The Lions lost 3-4 to Super Eagles of Nigeria after taking a 3-0 lead in the first half of the dramatic match played on Saturday.
Benabicha, who spoke through an interpreter, told newsmen in Cape Town, South Africa, yesterday that his players failed to hold on to their early lead.
He said his players could have consolidated on the lead and finish off the game in the second half.
“I am not disappointed with the result of the match. I am disappointed with my players because they were leading 3-0 only to later lose the game.
“This kind of opportunity rarely comes in a tournament like this. My team could have consolidated on their lead,’’ he said.
Benabicha said the Eagles’ ability to recover from the three goals deficit and win the match showed they were a good team.
“Let me congratulate the Nigerian team for such a good showing, having obtained such a wonderful result.
“At the interval in the dressing room, I told my players that the match was far from over as there was still a lot of work to be done.
“This is because the Nigerian team we are facing is one of the best teams in the continent.
“ I made a few changes after we conceded two goals in the second half but it will now appear from the result that it was a bit too late,’’ Benabicha said.
The coach said the team would go back to begin preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations, which Morocco would host in January 2015.
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.
