Sports
W/Cup Qualifier: Envoy Lauds Falconets’ Fighting Spirit
Nigeria‘s Consul General in South Africa, Godwin Adama at the weekend, commended the National U-20 female team, Falconets for beating their South Africa counterparts.
Nigeria beat South Africa, 2-0, in the final round, first leg of the U-20 Women‘s World Cup qualifier in Polokwane, Limpopo Province.
Rasheedat Ajibade, the Falconets top scorer in the qualifying series, scored the first goal on the half-hour mark while Anam Imo made it two for Nigeria six minutes later.
Adama who watched the match told newsmen on the telephone from Polokwane that the Falconets played well and deserved the victory.
“The Falconets showed character and zeal to carry the day. They played well and deserved the victory. They have made us proud and we are grateful.
“ I am impressed with the turn-out of Nigerians to the stadium. Their presence also made the difference and motivated the team,” he said.
Adama said that the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Amb. Musa Ahmed Ibeto would host the team in Pretoria before they leave for home.
“The victory has also helped to improve our rating here that we can do well in sports,” the envoy said.
Secretary, Nigerian Union, Limpopo Province chapter, Collins Mgbo, said that the Nigerian Community in the area was fully mobilised for the match.
“Nigerians resident in various cities in the province came out to support our girls. Even South Africans married to Nigerians wore the green-white-green to cheer the falconets.
“We will celebrate this victory because it means a lot for us,” he said.
Mgbo urged the team to finish the job in Nigeria and book the World Cup ticket.
The winner over two legs will represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France slated from August 7th to August 26th, 2018.
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.
