Sports
Rivers, Enyimba, Bayelsa Set For CAF Showdown
Nigerian teams, Rivers United, Enyimba and Bayelsa United will return to the continent this weekend for their CAF inter-club competitions first-round matches.
Rivers United are Nigeria’s sole campaigners in the CAF Champions League after the shock exit of Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Akwa United, in the hands of Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in the preliminary rounds.
Rivers face a tricky test against Sudan’s Al Hilal. The Pride of Rivers entertain the two-time CAF Champions League winners in the first leg on Sunday, before returning for the reverse fixture a week later.
A win for River United takes them to the money-spinning group phase of the competition, while a loss will see them crash to the Confederation Cup playoffs.
After being drawn bye for the preliminary rounds, Enyimba open their Confederation Cup campaign against Senegal’s Diambars FC on Saturday. This will be the first competitive match under new coach, Geroge Finidi, after the Aba giants parted ways with former gaffer, Fatai Osho, at the end of the 2020/21 season.
The two-time CAF Champions League winners, who have consistently crashed out in the quarter-finals of the Confederation Cup, will want to begin their campaign on a high when they travel to Stade Fodé Wade in Saly, Senegal for their first leg tie.
Aiteo Cup champions Bayelsa United face the sternest test in the Confederation Cup when they welcome three-time winners CS Sfaxien to the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Sunday.
The Diepreye Teibowei-led side had dumped out Guinea’s Ashanti Golden Boys in a one-legged affair at home and would be hoping to get a favourable result on Sunday against the Tunisian giants.
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.
