NWFL Premiership MD 1 Previews: Dannaz, Remo make topflight debuts

NWFL Premiership Matchday One Preview

After a goalless draw in the opening match of the season between Ekiti Queens and Delta Queens on Tuesday, seven games are up for grabs on Wednesday as Matchday one of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership season continues.

Nasarawa Amazons will take a short trip to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for their opening match encounter with Naija Ratels FC.

The Northern derby will pit two teams ready to make a statement in the league against each other.

This will be Naija Ratels’ third season in the league after promotion to the top flight in 2021.

A fairly tale debut season saw Bankole Olowookere’s side qualify for the Super Six in Benin City.

The tale couldn’t be extended as the Abuja-based side lost all five Super Six games.

At the end of the 2022/2023 season, Naija Ratels narrowly missed out on qualification for the Super Six and will hope to keep the ground running with a home clash against the Solid Miners.

Similarly, Nasarawa Amazons also narrowly missed out on the Super Six last season as Edo Queens, Confluence Queens, and FC Robo Queens took the three grip slots.

This came after a second-place finish the previous season behind champions, Bayelsa Queens.

Another ambition to qualify for the Super Six will be in the cards for the Christopher Danjuma-led side against Naija Ratels.

Nasarawa Amazons have won the previous three meetings between both sides twice in the league (2021/2022 season) and once in the FA Cup.

Confluence Queens’ quest to make it back-to-back Super Six qualification starts with a clash against debutant, Dannaz Ladies.

Confluence finished third at the Super Six last season under coach Ogbonda Whyte.

The coach had since been replaced by Sabo Okala ahead of the season opener.

His immediate task is to make it to the Super Six, a daunting task which will commence when the team welcomes the Lagos side.

Playing at an adopted Edo State University Stadium, Uzaiure, Iyamoh, Confluence Queens will have to master their new home craft to get good results this season while playing home away from home.

After narrowly missing promotion to the top flight in 2022, Dannaz Ladies learned from previous mistakes and topped the Group B en route promotion to the top flight.

Diana Asak’s side boasts of youthful players that can pose serious problems to Confluence Queens ahead of the season opener.

A result in Lokoja will make a statement for the Lagos-based side.

Enyimba Stadium, Aba will play host to Abia Angels against Adamawa Queens.

Abia Angels caused one of the upsets of last season after a 1-0 win over Edo Queens in Benin City.

The host had a good home record in Umuahia last season and will have to blend and acclimatise to the Enyimba Stadium in Aba to get good results at home this season.

Adamawa Queens on the other hand have not been impressive away from home putting last season’s result into consideration.

A draw for the visitors in Aba will start a new turn of form for Jacob Vandhi’s side.

Heartland Queens and Royal Queens beat the drop from their groups last season and will attempt to keep the ground running to avoid an early relegation battle when they faceoff on Wednesday.

The Owerri-based side recently recruited massively ahead of the season opener.

The new signings are expected to lift the team after team blending as they try to get early points to avoid relegation.

The odds favour Heartland Queens to consolidate on previous dominance. Picking maximum will do the host a good deal as they will be on the road against Nasarawa Amazons and Abia Angels.

Remo Stars Ladies will play their first-ever top right game against 2020/2021 league winners, Rivers Angels in Ikenne.

The David and Goliath contest will also see the battle of tactical prowess between Wemimo Matthew and Ogbonda Whyte.

Remo Stars recruited new, talented, and experienced players like Akudo Ogbonna, Obasi Precious, Innocent Patricia, Adaobi Okah, and Vincent Precious ahead of their debut game in the top flight.

A daunting task awaits as one of the most successful teams in the league visits Ikenne.

Looking to emulate their men’s team which has qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup and Champions League in the past two seasons, the women’s team has a lot to do if they are to gain ground in the competitive NWFL Premiership.

Nigeria’s last representative in the CAF Women’s Champions League and the country’s best performer in the competition, Bayelsa Queens take a trip to Akure where they will meet returning Sunshine Queens.

The Prosperity Girls have had bragging rights over the Akure-based sides in recent times and will hope to continue the dominance.

The Yenegoa-based side recorded a victory in their last visit to Akure in the 2021/2022 season en route to winning the league title.

Sunshine Queens made an immediate return to the top flight after a season in the second-tier NWFL Championship.

The fish target is to maintain their status and that will be tested against Domi Okara’s side on Wednesday.

Basking in the euphoria of winning two pre season tourneys, Edo Queens are the form team heading into the season.

Moses Aduku’s side won the Sheroes Cup and Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament and are in high spirit ahead of FC Robo Queens visit to Benin City on Wednesday.

It will be a clash of two former teammates and friends, Moses Aduku on the part of Edo Queens and Emmanuel Osahon for FC Robo.

Edo Queens won the last two league games between both sides last season in Lagos and Benin to top group B and qualify for the season ending Super Six.

FC Robo have not been good travelers to Benin City in previous seasons and will hope to turn the corners on Wednesday.