2025/2026 NWFL Super 6 Match Day 2: Abia Angels daze Rivers Angels

Posted : 09 June 2026

Abia Angels continued their remarkable debut campaign at the 2025/2026 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership Super Six after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over hosts Rivers Angels at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

The Aba-based side delivered a disciplined and courageous performance to claim all three points against one of the competition's traditional powerhouses, further strengthening their growing reputation as genuine contenders for the league title.

The decisive moment arrived when Winner David, displaying tremendous determination despite playing with a bandaged head, rose highest to head home the match-winning goal. Her effort proved enough to separate the two sides in a fiercely contested encounter.

Fresh from a 1-1 draw against defending champions Bayelsa Queens in their opening fixture, Abia Angels have now collected four points from their first two matches, an impressive return that has disrupted pre-tournament expectations and placed them firmly among the frontrunners.

Assistant coach Judith Seember Benson credited the result to the team's unwavering belief and refusal to be intimidated by more established opponents.

According to Benson, many teams may have underestimated the Super Six newcomers, but Abia Angels arrived in Port Harcourt with ambitions far beyond merely participating.

The victory also carried added significance following their previous defeat to Rivers Angels in the Federation Cup. However, Benson insisted the success was more a product of tactical improvements than revenge.

She revealed that the coaching crew carefully analysed their earlier meeting, identified weaknesses, and adopted a different tactical approach, including changes in personnel and formation, which ultimately enabled them to contain the hosts.

With the head coach absent from the tournament, Benson dedicated the victory to him, explaining that the squad continues to build on the philosophy and foundation he established before the competition began.

Despite several frustrating offside calls during the opening half, Abia Angels remained composed and effectively managed the game after taking the lead. Strategic adjustments at halftime and impactful substitutions helped the visitors maintain control and preserve their advantage until the final whistle.

Benson praised her players for executing instructions perfectly, highlighting their ability to absorb tactical corrections and implement them successfully during the game.

While some observers viewed the performance as a defensive display, the assistant coach pointed to the challenging weather conditions and slippery playing surface as factors that influenced the team's approach.

She maintained that the difficult conditions prevented Abia Angels from fully expressing their preferred possession-based style despite controlling key moments of the contest.

The result leaves Abia Angels in a strong position heading into the remaining fixtures of the Super Six, with confidence growing inside the camp after avoiding defeat against Bayelsa Queens and overcoming Rivers Angels.

And when asked whether the team can go all the way and lift the NWFL Premiership trophy, Benson's response reflected the belief currently driving the squad.

"We have come here to win."

After two matches, Abia Angels are no longer the surprise package of the tournament. They are rapidly emerging as serious title challengers.

This crucial victory firmly establishes the Aba-based debutants as legitimate threats to the traditional power hierarchy of Nigerian women's football. By combining tactical discipline with a fierce competitive spirit, the team has successfully proved they can hold their own against elite clubs. As the tournament progresses, maintaining this high level of execution will be key to making their ultimate championship dream a reality.

2025/2026 NWFL Super 6 Match Day 2: Abia Angels daze Rivers Angels

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