Sports
Coach Canvasses Support For Female Soccer
A former Super Falcons’
assistant coach, Joy Etim, has called on the media to always support the development of female football with adequate coverage.
Etim told newsmen that publicity would go a long way to attract interested young women with potentials to the game.
“Female football needs to be encouraged, especially by the press because it is a major means of creating awareness and attracting upcoming players.
“I believe the media is a strong force, so, we really need them to be on ground during teams’ training sessions and competitions,’’ she said.
According to her, the gesture would also boost the confidence of the players and make them to be committed, disciplined and focused in their career.
“The presence of the media during training or competitions motivates the girls and you will see them displaying their skills on the field,’’ she added.
Etim said adequate coverage would also provide philanthropists and corporate organisations in the country and the Diaspora the information that would motivate and probably make them to invest their money in female football.
“When their training and matches are given media hype, some football enthusiasts in Nigeria and abroad will develop interest in watching and supporting them,’’ she said.
She expressed delight at the performance of the female national teams at various international female football tournaments, saying that they were making progress.
The former assistant coach appealed to corporate bodies to contribute to the growth of female football by responding positively to proposals for sponsorship from clubs.
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.
