By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The Governing Board of the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) has approved Wednesday, November 15, 2023 as the resumption date for the 2023/2024 season just as the body retained the abridged form of the leaque.
Also, the NWFL at its 2023 Annual General Assembly (AGA) held on Thursday October 5, 2023 at BON Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, approved the expansion of the NWFL Premiership to 16 from 14; Championship to 20 from 12 and the restructuring of the 10-team Nationwide League to the States League as well as conducted the draws for the league at the event.
The NWFL AGA also passed a vote of confidence on the board of the Nigeria Women’s Football League led by Ms Nkechi Obi for their achievement so far and for their resolve to raise the standard of the League beginning from the new season.
According to the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting in Lagos, AGA resolved to also thank the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the entire board for their tremendous support and understanding of the women’s league demands following the successful campaign of the Super Falcons at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.
The NWFL AGA of 22 club representatives approved the minutes of the 2022/2023 AGA, and also adopted the Financial Reports for the 2022/2023 season.
The Congress confirmed the promotion of Dannaz Ladies, Sunshine Queens, Lakeside Queens and Ekiti Queens to the NWFL Premiership from the Championship and the relegation of two clubs – Ibom Angels and Osun Babes – to the NWFL Championship.
The NWFL AGA adopted a league format of 2 groups of A and B for the 2023/2024 NWFL Premiership season even as the AGA approved Ekiti Queens Vs Delta Queens as the Star Match of the opening day of the NWFL Premiership season scheduled to be played at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium on Wednesday November 15, 2023.
The AGA also agreed that only stadia that meet the required NWFL stadium facilities criteria shall be approved for the 2023/2024 Premiership season.
Meanwhile, the 16 teams in the league were divided into Group A and B before the draw saw most of the strong clubs in the Southern part of the country competing in Group B just as clubs to compete in Group A are Naija Ratels of Abuja; former NWFL leaque champions, Nasarawa Amazons of Nasarawa State; returnees, Confluence Queens of Kogi State and Abia Angels of Abia State.
Others are: Heartland Queens of Owerri,
Dannaz Ladies of Lagos, Royal Queens of Warri, Delta State and Adamawa Queens of Adamawa State.
Group B, regarded as “Group of Death” has reigning champions Delta Queens of Asaba; Lakeside Queens of Ogun State, former champions, Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt and Sunshine Queens of Akure.
Others are: FC Robo Queens of Lagos; Edo Queens of Benin; newcomers, Ekiti Queens of Ekiti State and 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League bronze winners, Bayelsa Queens. READ ALSO:
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Matchday one fixtures
Naija Ratels vs Nasarawa Amazons
Confluence Queens vs Dannaz Ladies
Abia Angels vs Adamawa Queens
Heartland Queens vs Royal Queens
Lakeside Queens vs Rivers Angels
Ekiti Queens vs Delta Queens
Sunshine Queens vs Bayelsa Queens
Edo Queens vs Robo Queens
Present at the NWFL AGA were: the President of the Nigeria Football Federation represented by Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi – NFF board member, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, Barrister Paul Edeh – Benue FA chairman, Hajji Gafar- Lagos FA Vice Chairman; Victor Lutenco – IOM; Lanre Vigo – Plug Sports, Chijoke Okoli – Delphi Law, Rachel Aron – Sustainable Sports Africa Co-founder among other dignitaries.
