NWFL Championship Matchday One Review: DreamStar Ladies, Ghetto Tigers, Wazbak Queens Off To Flying Start

By Saheed Afolabi

The 2026 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship got off to a flying start as six clubs recorded emphatic wins to ignite the competitive atmosphere in Calabar.

20 goals were scored in the opening day matches to open the promotion ambition of the 16 clubs participating in the second fiddle of women’s football in Nigeria.

Group A

Delta Babes 2-1 First Mahi Babes 

Delta Babes recorded their first win of the campaign with an ambitious win against First Mahi Babes.

Miracle Edafe gave the Asaba based side the lead on the stroke of halftime, while Nancy Kehinde doubled their lead in the 50th minute.

Kehinde Okechukwu brought a goal back for First Mahi Babes which wasn’t enough to deviate them from their first painful loss.

DreamStar Ladies 3-1 Rosaria Victrix

DreamStar Ladies crushed Rosaria Victrix with a dominant performance.

Anuoluwapo Awotidoye star studded brace was instrumental in the Galacticas emphatic win, while Khadija Kamarudeen strike in-between Awotidoye brace gave the Lagos based side a commanding display.

Egodi Okonkwo 89 minute goal for Rosaria Victrix ensured they had something to cheer for in the pulsating game.

Group B

Pelican Stars 2-1 Ikukuoma Queens

Playing in front of their home fans, Pelican Stars rode to a scary 2-1 win against debutants, Ikukuoma Queens at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

Amarachi Abel and Peace Ewa scored the two goals for the Calabar Ladies. Ikukuoma Queens showed their bravery with a fantastic goal in the 58th minute by Catherine Daniel.

Moje Queens 1-1 Gallant Queens

Moje Queens shared the spoils with Gallant Queens in a highly competitive encounter which showed the classical technique from both teams.

A 31st minute goal by Favour Okafor for Gallant Queens was cancelled out by the 51st minute strike from Kehinde Adebanjo.

Group C

Rangers Women 0-0 Unification Ladies

One of the most sought after game in the NWFL Championship came to an excruciating goalless draw despite the firepower possessed by both teams.

Tagged the group of survival, Group C showed glimpses of an entertaining football expected to brighten up the St Patrick Stadium, Calabar.

Fortress Ladies 2-3 Wazbak Queens 

Wazbak Queens held their nerves to defeat Fortress Ladies in a five goal thriller.

Taiwo Ayomide awesome free kick gave Wazbak Queens the lead in the second minute, Favour Enodumwen equalled the scoreline nine minute later.

Osa Erhinwingbovo turned the ball into her net to give Wazbak Queens the lead back in the 20 minute, four minutes later, Gift Nduka brought back Fortress Ladies into the game.

Abibat Adediran scored the winning goal for the Island Girls in the 51 minute to give Wazbak Queens a triumphant start in the NWFL Championship.

Group D

Imo Strikers Queens 3-0 Chosen Generation Angels

Imo Strikers Queens took Chosen Generation to the cleaners with a fantastic display of artistry.

Anastasia Uzor broke the deadlock in the 25 minute, two minutes later, Mmesoma Amaechi doubled the Imo Ladies lead.

Amaechi sealed a huge win for Imo Strikers Queens with a fine strike in the 78 minute.

Ghetto Tigers Ladies 1-0 Kwara Ladies 

It took a great goal from Gift Udo Mama in the 54 minute to handover Ghetto Tigers Ladies precious win against Kwara Ladies.

Ghetto Tigers dominated proceedings and could have added to their advantage amidst missed goal scoring opportunities.