By IJEOMA OKIGBO

Excitement is building ahead of the 2026 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship in Calabar, with clubs expressing confidence of securing promotion to the premiership cadre.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship will hold from July 9 to July 16, featuring 16 clubs competing for two promotion tickets to the country’s top-flight women’s league.

The teams are divided into four groups of four, with the winners of each group advancing to the semi-finals.

The two finalists will gain promotion to the 2026/2027 NWFL Premiership.

Ahead of the competition, players and officials of Unification FC, Fortress Ladies and Ghetto Tigers Ladies expressed optimism about their chances of securing promotion.

Captain of Unification FC, Success Odey, said the team’s primary objective was to earn promotion while providing a platform for players to showcase their talents.

“Our major target is to secure promotion to the premiership and give our players the opportunity to display their abilities.

“We know the quality of the teams in our group, but we are confident in our preparation and will approach every match with the right mentality.

“Our goal is to secure maximum points and qualify for the promotion playoffs,” she said.

Odey added that the club’s recruitment had strengthened the squad ahead of the championship, although she noted there was still room for improvement.

Also speaking, Head Coach of Fortress Ladies, Jimmy Aimuagbonrie, said the club was determined to secure promotion after narrowly missing out in previous editions.

“Our target this year is promotion. We finished third two years ago and second last year, so we believe this is the right time to achieve our objective,” he said.

Aimuagbonrie said the club would continue to rely on youthful players, adding that youth development remained central to its philosophy.

He expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, noting that valuable lessons from previous campaigns had strengthened the club ahead of the competition.

“We respect every team in our group, but we believe this is our opportunity to gain promotion to the premiership,” he said.

Captain of Ghetto Tigers Ladies, Ruth Origbo, also expressed confidence in her team’s chances.

“We respect all our opponents, but we fear none of them. If we remain disciplined and take our chances, we have what it takes to secure promotion,” she said.

Origbo said participation in the Lagos State FA Cup and the President Federation Cup had provided the team with valuable experience ahead of the championship.

The team’s Manager, Azeez Mustapha, said the youthful squad had matured considerably over the past two seasons.

According to him, the club had strengthened key areas of the team after lessons learnt from previous campaigns.

“We believe we now have a balanced squad capable of achieving promotion.

“Our players have developed, and we are determined to secure a place in the premiership,” he said.

NAN reports that Group A comprises Delta Babes, DreamStar Ladies, Rosaria Victrix FC and First Mahi Babes.

Group B has Pelican Stars, Gallant Queens, Ikukuoma FC and Moje Queens, while Group C consists of Rangers Women, Fortress Ladies, Wazbak International Sports Academy and Unification FC.

Group D features Imo Strikers Queens, Kwara Ladies, Chosen Generation Angels and Ghetto Tigers Ladies.

NAN reports that the championship is expected to produce keen competition as clubs battle for promotion to the 2026/2027 NWFL Premiership. (NAN)

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