By Gracious Akujobi The much expected Nigeria Women Premier Football League will begin this weekend, with matches being played in all the six centres.
It is believed that it will no doubt, usher in a better organized Women Football League in the country, and also enhance the performance of the players and the game in general.
The first match would be at Akure where Sunshine Queens would tackle Nasarawa Amazons. The Amazons, who are still basking in the euphoria of their victory in the Champion of Champions match against Rivers Angels last month in Lokoja, will be a hard nut to crack for the Mimiko girls.
Pelican stars would need an extra strength to survive in Yola when they play against Adamawa Queens. The Canaan city girls would not only contend with long distance of travelling to Fufore, where the match would be played, but they would also have to contend with the determinations of the home girls. Osun Babes would play Ibom Angels in Osogbo, while Bayelsa Queens would settle square up with Confluence Queens in Oghara. In Benin, the rejuvenated Inneh Queens will lock horns with FC Taraba Queens.
The Star match of the week will be in Oleh where Delta Queens would confront Rivers Angels. Both teams have a lot at stake as all their previous meets have always bring out the best in the teams. The visitors would surely unleash the likes of Sunday Uchechi, Oshoala Asisat, Loveth Ayila, Uloma Jerome, Cecilia Nku on their host. However, they would meet their match, in the Coach Dan Evuemena girls.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of women’s league, Dilichukwu Onyedima has assured women football faithful to expect good things in the coming season. She said that followers would enjoy the best of female football.
“Football fans are going to see a very good, well organised league. I am happy with what is going to come out because I know that anyone who will watch the league will be very happy with what they will see” she enthused.
Talking about bringing sponsors to the league, she said; “this question of sponsors always comes up but I don’t think that is an issue. We are playing football and have the passion, the zeal and we have been playing football without sponsorship.
“The women’s league as well as all other leagues has gone out to look for sponsors. We have made contacts with some sponsors but that will not determine whether the league will start or not. The important thing is that the league will start whether there are sponsors or not” she concluded.
In the women’s league, there are 24 clubs, twelve Premier and pro league clubs. At the end of the season, two clubs will be relegated from the premier while two clubs will be promoted from the pro league to the premier.
Nigeria women premier football league week one fixtures;
Sunshine Queens vs. Nasarawa Amazon
Adamawa Queens vs pelican Stars
Osun Babes vs Ibom Angels
Bayelsa Queens Vs Confluence Queens
Delta Queens Vs Rivers Angels
