Month: October 2026

Stakeholders Hail Gov Diri

Nasarawa Amazons retained their title at the 2nd Governor Douye Diri Women Pre-Season Football Tournament, defeating Delta Queens 1-0 in the final at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.

The week-long tournament ended on a high note, with stakeholders commending Governor Douye Diri for sponsoring what is now regarded as the biggest women’s pre-season tournament in Nigeria.

Chairman Bayelsa Queens FC, Pastor Robin Angonimi Apreala, said the second edition was better organised than the maiden edition and thanked Governor Douye Diri, for sponsoring the week-long event, Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Pereotubo Akpe for making sure funds are released, Commissioner for Sports development, Dr. Baraladei Daniel Igali for standing firm with all the teams and hosting them to a dinner after the competition.

Pastor Apreala also thanked the State FA and the Referees Council for fair officiating and assured that lessons learnt would make the third edition bigger and better.

According to Pastor Apreala, Bayelsa Queens made its best recruitments in years under Technical Adviser, Wemimo Matthew, a CAF A licensed coach and CAF Instructor, and Chief Coach Mario.

Pastor Apreala said some injured players like Chiamaka Ezekwugo, Kindness Ifeanyi and Ambless Ogbonaya, as well as three players currently at the U-17 World Cup in Morocco, will soon return to the team, promising fans that the Prosperity Girls will challenge for the title in the new 30-game NWFL format.

The Bayelsa Queens Chairman said pre-season tournaments are for teams to experiment and assess their level of preparedness and that all 10 teams showed top quality and are good to go for the 2026/2027 NWFL season.

Delta Queens Coach, Seyi Stanley Osaze, said he was very pleased with the tournament and thanked Governor Douye Diri and the organisers saying the tournament served its purpose and added that the Governor should keep the good work of hosting the pre-season football tournament.

Bayelsa Queens Held to Goalless Draw by Delta Queens

Bayelsa Queens were held to a 0-0 draw by Delta Queens in their second game at the ongoing 2nd edition of the Governor Douye Diri Women’s pre-season football tournament at the Samson Siasia Stadium on Monday.

The stalemate at the Samson Siasia followed one win one draw for Bayelsa Queens while Delta Queens have one win and two draws.

Despite the urgency, neither side was able to find a breakthrough in a contest dominated by caution rather than attacking flair.

The Prosperity Girls, buoyed by home support, made early attempts to control the game through quick transitions and balls into their opponent area.

Bayelsa Queens gradually grew into the game as the first half progressed and enjoyed sustained periods of possession, but their final delivery lacked precision to end the first half goalless.

The second half saw a continuation of the pattern, with Bayelsa Queens pressing for a crucial win while Delta Queens sought to exploit counter-attacking spaces. Clear chances remained limited, and as the match approached its closing stages, both teams appeared content to secure a point rather than risk defeat.

Bayelsa Queens produced a disciplined defensive performance to frustrate their opponent. Both teams created opportunities, but neither was able to convert their chances into a goal.

The point is a useful one for the Prosperity Girls, who are 3rd on the table with four points from two matches played while Delta Queens climbed to the summit of Group A with 5 points from three matches.

The Prosperity Girls had entered the fixture in strong form following recent victory against Imo Strikers in the opening day fixture, but they were unable to break down a compact Delta Queens defence. The goalless outcome highlights the competitive nature of the 2nd edition of the Governor Douye Diri Women’s pre-season football tournament.

Bayelsa Queens will next face Edo Queens as they look to return to winning ways, while Delta Queens will take on C2E Sports Academy.

Bayelsa Queens Begin Governor Diri Pre-Season Campaign with Convincing Win

Bayelsa Queens FC made a strong start to their campaign at the second edition of the Governor Douye Diri Women’s Pre-Season Football Tournament, defeating Imo Striker 2–0 in their opening Group A encounter at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, on Friday.

The Prosperity Girls showed good attacking intent from the start and were rewarded just before the break when substitutes Alaba Olabiyi found the back of the net in the 45th minute to give Bayelsa Queens a one goal lead at halftime.

Bayelsa Queens continued from where they stopped after the restart, with Ramata Kareem doubling the advantage in the 52nd minute. The two-goal cushion was enough to secure all three points for the home side and provide a positive opening to their pre-season campaign.

Technical Adviser Bayelsa Queens, Wemimo Matthew said the victory is a testament to the countless hours of practice, the camaraderie among the team, and the unrelenting pursuit of excellence and told her players to keep aiming for the stars.

“It’s still a building process as a lot of work needs to be done, but, I must say with what I saw my players did today, it can inspire us to reach even greater heights,” coach Wemimo said.

“We knew our team had the potential, and you’ve proven it once again. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to shine as the pre-season football tournament continues,” coach Wemimi Matthew added.

In the other Group A fixture at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Delta Queens and Edo Queens played out a goalless draw, leaving Bayelsa Queens with an early advantage in the group standings.

Meanwhile, in Group B at the Polo Club Pitch, Onopa, defending champions of the Governor Douye Diri Women pre-season football tournament Nasarawa Amazons suffered a one-nil loss to Ahudiyannem Queens, while Remo Stars Ladies and Rivers Angels settled for a goalless draw in the second encounter.

With their opening victory secured, attention now turns to Bayelsa Queens’ next Group A assignment as the Prosperity Girls look to build on their winning start and make a strong push in the Governor Douye Diri Women’s Pre-Season Football Tournament.