The 2024 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship kicked off in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, on Saturday with eight matches spanning four groups.
Imo Striker Queens made a strong start in Group A1, securing a dominant 7-0 victory over Heroes Queens at the UJ Esuene Stadium.
Nigeria U-17 national team top scorer Chidi Harmony was the standout performer, netting four goals, while her teammate Precious Oscar added two more.
Ugbala Osinachi completed the scoring in the second half, marking the win as the largest margin in the Championship so far.
In the second match of Group A1, First Mahi Babes claimed a 4-2 win against Castmog Ladies. The Imo state side built a 3-0 lead with goals from Isaac Hope, Ovoma Ovie, and Okechukwu Chidera.
Despite Patience Odey and Oni Bokuwatife pulling two goals back for Castmog, Okechukwu’s second goal in the 90th minute secured the victory.
Group A2 saw Osun Babes deliver a commanding 4-0 triumph over Moje Queens. The match was by set-piece brilliance, with Kafayat Bashiru opening the scoring with a free kick in the 18th minute before Eberechukeu Oleka doubled the lead four minutes later with another free kick.
Rebecca Omodele converted a rebound from a saved penalty in the 49th minute, and Bashiru added her second goal to complete the rout. Earlier, Gallant Queens edged Wazbak International 2-1, thanks to goals from Latifat Ankuma Usman and Favour Okafor, while Foluke Amos scored for Wazbak.
In Group B1, Ibom Angels triumphed 3-0 over Papa Soccer, with Ijeoma Onweagba scoring twice and an own goal by Anthony Elizabeth.
Unification FC narrowly defeated Delta Babes 2-1 at St Patrick College Field, with Oyebamiji Fernanmi scoring both goals for the Lagos-based side. Ologunleko Philomena’s own goal was not enough to avert defeat for Delta Babes.
Honey Badgers secured a 4-2 win against DreamStar Ladies in Group B1, with goals from Hellen Daniel, Fatimah Shauib, Rachael Owojori, and Ramotallah Kareem.
Adeyemi Ayomiposi and Anifowose Khadijat scored for DreamStar, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome. The final match of Group B2 ended in a goalless draw between Kwara Ladies and Fortress Ladies.
Another eight games are scheduled to take place across the two centers on Sunday.