Nigeria Women’s Football League Shifts Season Opener

The Nigeria Women’s Football League has announced a shift in the date for the highly anticipated 2023/24 NWFL Premiership season opener between Ekiti Queens and Delta Queens in Ado- Ekiti. Originally scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, the opening day of the season event will now take place a day earlier on Tuesday, November 14. The season opener which also doubles as the Star Match of the opening Matchday One fixtures of the NWFL Premiership season will be played at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti. The President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau will be in attendance at the season opener to show support and encouragement for the continued growth of women’s football. He has expressed keen interest in the league’s development and is impressed with the strides made in the repositioning of the Women’s League a short span of time, by the current board of the NWFL, led by Ms. Nkechi Obi. The decision to move the date ensures that key stakeholders, fans, and the football community at large can join in this celebration of women’s football excellence. All other Week One fixtures in the Nigeria Women’s Football League Premiership will take place as scheduled. The NWFL looks forward to a thrilling #NWFL24 season and appreciates the ongoing support from fans and partners. NWFL Premiership WEEK ONE FIXTURES Ekiti Queens vs Delta Queens Naija Ratels vs Nasarawa Amazons Confluence Queens vs Dannaz Ladies Abia Angels vs Adamawa Queens Heartland Queens vs Royal Queens Remo Stars Ladies vs Rivers Angels Sunshine Queens vs Bayelsa Queens Edo Queens vs Robo Queens

Paris 2024: Super Falcons ease past Ethiopia to set up clash with Cameroon’s Lionesses

A brace by captain Rasheedat Ajibade and one each by Uchenna Kanu and Asisat Oshoala saw the Super Falcons reach the third round of the African qualifiers for next year’s Women Olympic Football Tournament on a 5-1 aggregate win over Ethiopia. The nine-time African champions will next meet the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the race. A rather tepid first half saw Oshoala bungle a couple of opportunities and Uchenna Kanu miss from six yards. Kalsa Aregash also saw her shot saved by goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and from a 20-yard free-kick, captain Loza Abera tried to slot above Nnadozie without success. Just before referee Edoh Kindidje from Togo blew for recess, Oluwatosin Demehin sent a long ball forward and Kanu, who scored Nigeria’s first goal at the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in the summer, easily beat two defenders by watching the bounce of the ball, and then raced to slot past goalkeeper Tarikua Bergena for Nigeria’s first goal. Five minutes into the second period, and just about the time she netted Nigeria’s equalizer in Addis Ababa six days earlier, captain Ajibade stepped up to flash into the net for Nigeria’s second goal, a cross from Oshoala as the Barcelona Feminine forward darted past two defenders on the right. In the 68th minute, Oshoala turned scorer, heaving herself up to meet Kanu’s measured pull-out from the left with a close-range header that left Bergena totally helpless. The visitors, now overwhelmed, sought to limit the damage, but it was not to be as Ajibade, lithe and sparse and dangerous as ever, sneaked in to bundle the ball past Bergena four minutes later after another cross from Oshoala. Spain-based Ajibade nearly got her hat-trick on the dot of time, when she flashed a shot from 27 yards that went narrowly away. Victory means the Super Falcons will now meet the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, who overturned a 2-0 defeat in Kampala to defeat Uganda 3-0 after extra time in Yaounde on Tuesday night.