NWFL Championship: Moje Queens Ready For Challenge, Says Goalkeeper

Moje Queens goalkeeper Zainab Omolola Azeez said her team is ready for any challenge when the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship season kicks off in Ogun State this week.

The Erin-Ile-based side in Kwara State is a household name in the NWFL Championship after a season in the third-tier NWFL Nationwide League in 2021, when they returned to the second-tier women’s football league in the country.

Azeez believes pre-season tournaments like the Ifeanyi Chiejine Memorial Cup and Federation Cup will put them in good stead for the league campaign.

“We are coming with 100% determination. We have promotion in mind by the special grace of God this year,” Azeez told on NWFL’s website. “All the teams playing in the Championship this season are tough teams but I think Sunshine Queens will be a tough team to play.”

“They are experienced and have played in the Premiership for a long time before their relegation. The tournaments and friendly matches that we played will help us ahead of our upcoming league as well as the Federation Cup. We have prepared a lot against the upcoming Championship.”

• Read more: 2022/2023 NWFL Championship Set For July

A potential Kwara State derby might erupt if Moje Queens are drawn with Kwara Ladies, as both sides were in Group B last season where Victoria Idehen’s 68th minute goal gave Kwara Ladies the victory

“We have played Kwara Ladies a lot of times and are familiar to ourselves, hence we are fully prepared for any challenges coming our way in this upcoming league,” Azeez concluded.

Moje Queens finished in third position from Group B at the end of the 2022 NWFL Championship in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

Heartland Queens gained promotion from the group with a maximum of 15 points ahead of Dannaz Ladies with 12 points and Moje Queens (9 points). The team will hope to improve on last season’s feat at the end of the Championship.