Sports
Madrid’s Players Hurt, Desperate To React -Solari
Real Madrid’s squad is desperate to turn around the club’s fortunes after a miserable run under former coach Julen Lopetegui, according to interim boss Santi Solari.
Los Blancos suffered a fourth Liga loss in five games when they were beaten 5-1 by Barcelona in El Clasico last Sunday, a result that signalled the end of Lopetegui’s tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu .
Lopetegui was dismissed on Monday, with Castilla coach Solari handed control until a permanent successor is found.
The former Madrid midfielder, who won two league titles and the 2001-02 Champions League in five years at the club, took training for the first time yesterday, and he says the squad is determined to get back to winning ways.
“They are a bit hurt,” he told a media conference when asked about the players. “But they are looking forward to turning this situation around.
“This is a group of champions, a group of hard workers who have won lots of things for this club.
“It is not the easiest of situations but I saw them in the mood to turn things around and change things.
He added: “This is a delicate moment but it is in these situations when your true character comes out.”
The 42-year-old is not expected to be a long-term appointment, with Antonio Conte the number one candidate , but Solari hopes to grab his chance to impress.
“I’m going to try and do everything I can, it’s a great opportunity, a great club,” he added.
“I don’t just say that as the coach of the first team, I have been at this club for other things. I’ve played, I’ve sweated for this club.
“Madrid is bigger than all of us, I just want to be part of it.”
Solari will take charge of today’s Copa del Rey clash with Melilla, and he has one aim, to win the first leg of the tie.
He said: “The idea is to go to Melilla and play with real courage and pride.
“I would expect us to go into the game and give everything, and I expect them to as well.
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.
