The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has approved the expansion of numbers of participating teams in the premiership with immediate effect from the 2023/2024 season.
The decision to expand the number of participating teams was among the several decisions reached on Thursday, and communicated through a Communique which was issued at the 2023 Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the NWFL which took place at BON Hotel, Ikeja, GRA, Lagos State.
The number of teams participating in the NWFL Premiership has now been increased from 14 to 16, while the Championship which initially had 12 teams has been expanded to 20. Also, the 10-team Nation League was also approved for restructuring, with plans to have it become the state League.
Furthermore, the Assembly also resolved that the kick-off date for the 2023/2024 season will be Wednesday November 15, and the match between Ekiti Queens and Delta Queens which was unanimously agreed as star match will be the opening match of the new season at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium.
In the bid to ensure that appropriate standard is met, the Assembly also agreed that only stadia that meet the required NWFL stadium facilities criteria shall be approved for matches in the new season and also appreciated the various marketing and fund raising initiatives and the newly launched Women Football Rising(c) campaign made by the Board of the Nigeria Women’s League, while praying for the success of these initiatives.
To ensure that the numbers of matches to be played in the new season are properly coordinated, the congress adopted a League format of 2 groups which are group A and B for the 2023/2024 NWFL Premiership season.
Based on the adopted two-group League format a draw ceremony was held and the two groups established with a match fixtures that will be used for the new season. The groups are:
Group A
Lakeside Queens
Rivers Angels
Delta Queens
Sunshine Queens
Robo Queens
Edo Queens
Ekiti Queens
Bayelsa Queens
Group B
Naija Ratels
Nasarawa Amazons
Confluence Queens
Abia Angels
Heartland Queens
Dannaz Ladies
Royal Queens
Adamawa Queens
WEEK 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
The Congress also 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.
While passing a vote of confidence on the leadership of the board of the NWFL ably led by Nkechi Obi for their achievement so far as well as that of the NFF, the Congress also appreciated his Excellency the Executive Governor of Lagos, , Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the good people of Lagos State for the successful hosting of the Congress.
Those In attendance during the NWFL AGA are 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.
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