Promotion Race Heats Up as NWFL Championship Playoff Contenders Emerge

Posted : 15 July 2026

The stage is now set for the promotion playoffs at the 2026 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship after DreamStar Ladies, Pelican Stars, Rangers Women FC, and Imo Striker Queens emerged as the four teams still in contention for places in next season's NWFL Premiership.

Following the conclusion of the group stage on Tuesday in Calabar, the four group winners secured their places in the promotion playoffs, where only two clubs will earn promotion to the elite division.

DreamStar Ladies topped Group A with seven points after playing out a goalless draw against Delta Babes, a result that was enough to see the Lagos side finish ahead of the chasing pack.

In the same group, Rosaria Victrix ended their campaign on a high with a 3-1 victory over First Mahi Babes. Captain Egodi Okonkwo starred with two superb direct free-kick goals before Kafilat Agboola added another, while Esther Michael netted a consolation for First Mahi Babes, who dropped into the relegation playoffs.

Hosts Pelican Stars also secured top spot in Group B after edging Moje Queens 1-0 courtesy of Peace Ewa's first-half strike.

Ikukuoma Queens finished their campaign with an entertaining 3-1 comeback victory over Gallant Queens. Christiana Edache had put Gallant Queens ahead before Janet Kaneng, Precious Odogu, and Favour Nicholas turned the game around to ensure Ikukuoma Queens retained their Championship status.

Group C produced another dramatic finish as Rangers Women FC maintained their impressive debut campaign with a 1-0 victory over Fortress Ladies. Chisom Chukwuemeka scored the decisive goal late in the encounter to send the Enugu-based side into the promotion playoffs as group winners.

Unification FC rounded off their campaign with a commanding 5-1 victory over Wazbak International Sports Academy. Ruth Joseph scored twice, while Esther Stephen, Shukurat Tirimisiyu, and another strike completed the rout, with Nofisat Ogundele scoring Wazbak's only goal.

Imo Striker Queens underlined their title credentials by defeating Ghetto Tigers 4-0 to complete an unbeaten group-stage campaign and finish atop Group D.

Goals from Chinaza Ogazi, Mmesoma Amaechi, Chiamaka Onyeizu, and Precious Nkwocha sealed an emphatic victory for the Owerri side, while Kwara Ladies and Chosen Generation Angels settled for a goalless draw in the group's other fixture.

The outcome means DreamStar Ladies, Pelican Stars, Rangers Women FC, and Imo Striker Queens will compete in the promotion playoffs for the two available slots in the 2026/27 NWFL Premiership.

At the other end of the table, First Mahi Babes, Gallant Queens, Fortress Ladies, and Chosen Generation Angels will contest the relegation playoffs, where only two teams will preserve their Championship status, while the remaining two will drop to the NWFL Nationwide League.

The promotion playoffs promise to deliver intense competition as the four remaining contenders battle for a place in the 2026/27 NWFL Premiership. With promotion at stake, every match will be crucial in determining which clubs earn the right to compete in Nigeria's top-flight women's league.

Promotion Race Heats Up as NWFL Championship Playoff Contenders Emerge

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