The 2018 Nigeria Women Premier League began on April 7 in a game featuring defending champions Nasarawa Amazons from Nasarawa State and FC Robo of Lagos State. The date was decided following a congress held in Ikeja on March 3.[1] Prior to the game, a maiden super cup named the NWFL Champions Shield match was played between Aiteo Cup winners, Rivers Angels and Nasarawa Amazons to officially open the new season. At the end of the 2017 season, Sure Babes of Ilorin, Jokodolu Babes of Ogbomosho and Taraba Queens of Taraba State were promoted to compete in the elite division pending registration procedures, while Saadatu Amazons of Minna and Heartland Queens of Owerri were relegated to the pro league.[2] In May 2018, the league went on a mid-season break due to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, this was further elongated after an emerging NFF leadership crisis. In August 2018, it was announced that the remaining games of the league will commence September 12.[3][4][5]
 NWFL Champions Shield 2018 | |
| Season | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Bayelsa Queens |
| Top goalscorer | Anam Imo |
← 2017 2019 → | |
Format
editThe teams are divided into two groups of eight teams, of which the top two teams from each group will play in a super 4 mini-tournament tagged the NWPL Super 4 at the end of the season to determine the overall winner of the league. Each team is to play every team in her group twice on a home and away basis.[6] The last placed teams in each group will be relegated to the pro league (division 2).
Teams
edit| Group | Team | Location | Ground | 2017 rank | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | |||||
| Edo Queens | Edo State | 6th in 1b | Ken Aigbe | ||
| Heartland Queens[note 1] | Owerri | Relegated; 7th in 1a | Uche Eucharia | ||
| Confluence Queens | Kogi State | 4th in 1b | Maja Nayashi | ||
| Rivers Angels | Rivers State | 2nd in 1a | Edwin Okon | ||
| Sure Babes | Ilorin[7][8] | Promoted; 1st in div 2b | Abdullah Ganiyu | ||
| Delta Queens | Delta State | 1st in 1b | Clifford Chukwuma | ||
| Bayelsa Queens | Bayelsa State | 1st in 1a | Michael Ekpeyong | ||
| Ibom Angels | Uyo | 4th in 1a | Whyte Ogbonda | ||
| Group B | |||||
| Jokodolu Babes | Ogbomosho[9] | Promoted; 2nd in div 2b | Ahmed Mohammed | ||
| FC Robo | Lagos | 5th in 1a | Emmanuel Osahon | ||
| Pelican Stars | Calabar | 7th in 1b | Adat Egan | ||
| Sunshine Queens | Akure | 3rd in 1a | Mathew Wemimo | ||
| Osun Babes | Osogbo | 5th in 1b | Liadi Bashiru | ||
| Nasarawa Amazons | Nasarawa State | 2nd in 1b | Christopher Danjuma | ||
| Adamawa Queens | Adamawa State | 3rd in 1b | Baba Buba | ||
| Abia Angels | Abia State | 6th in 1a | Ann Chiejine |
- Note
- ^ Heartland Queens were originally relegated but took the place of Taraba Queens
Memorable moments
editIn a week 8 fixture, FC Robo defeated Abia Angels with Nigerian international, Rasheedat Ajibade scoring 4 goals in the game.[10]
Nigeria Women Pro League - Division 2
editThe division two teams seeking to gain promotion ahead of the 2019 Nigeria Women Premier League were Moje Queens of Kwara State, Police Machine of Akwa Ibom, Saadatu Amazons of Minna, Gift of Life, Invincible Angels of Gboko, Dream Stars of Lagos and Faith Hill Queens. In November 2018, it was confirmed that Dream Stars and Invincible Angels will be promoted to the elite division.[11][12]
Top scorers
edit- As of end of season
| Rank | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anam Imo | Nasarawa Amazons | 8 |
| 2 | Anjor Mary | Osun Babes | 6 |
| 3 | Rasheedat Ajibade | FC Robo | 5 |
| Alice Ogebe | Rivers Angels | ||
| Brigitte Omboudou | Delta Queens | ||
| Ikhekhua Oghenebrume | Delta Queens | ||
| Tina Oyatelemhi | Sunshine Queens | ||
| 8 | Reuben Charity | Ibom Angels Bayelsa Queens |
4 |
References
edit- ^ "COMMUINQUE OF THE 2018 NIGERIA WOMEN FOOTBALL LEAGUE HELD ON THE 3RD OF MARCH 2018 AT WATERCRESS HOTEL IKEJA, LAGOS". sportlineng.com. March 4, 2018. Retrieved 2018-04-25.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Amazons tackle Robo as 2018 NWPL season begins". The Punch. April 7, 2018. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
- ^ "Nigeria Women Premier League set to return on September 12". Goal.com. Retrieved 2018-09-04.
- ^ "Nigeria's Women League Kick Off Gets New Date". Retrieved 2018-09-04.
- ^ "2017/18 NWPL: Rivers Angels Assure Better Outing". Tide. Retrieved 2018-09-04.
- ^ Samuel, Ahmadu. "Nigeria Women Premier League 2017/18 season set to kick off on April 7". Goal.com. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
- ^ "Sure Babes player, Yemisi invited to Nigeria's U17 women's team". December 7, 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-29.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Sure Babes hails Omotoshos emergence as Labour Party Chair". thenationalpilot.ng. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- ^ "Jokodolu Babes fc tackles Sure Babes tomorrow in a pre-season match". February 9, 2018. Retrieved 2018-04-29.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Ajibade Hits Four Goals In Female League Restart". Football Live Nigeria.
- ^ "Dream Stars Ladies Pick Promotion to NWPL". Retrieved 2018-11-24.
- ^ "Abuja and Edo to host pro league".[permanent dead link]