Ten female football teams are set to battle for honours in the maiden Governor Douye Diri Female Pre-Season Football Tournament in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, from October 18 to 25, 2025.

The 10 teams, comprising eight Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) sides and two non-league clubs, will use the tournament as a warm-up for the new NWFL season scheduled to kick off later this month.

According to the draws, the competition will feature two groups — Group A and Group B — with five teams each. Group A: Bayelsa Queens, Delta Queens, Rivers Angels, Imo Strikers, and Nasarawa Amazons; Group B: Bayelsa Princesses, FC Robo, Abia Angels, Edo Queens, and Heartland Queens.

Matchday One Fixtures: Bayelsa Princesses vs FC Robo (10:00 a.m.); Abia Angels vs Edo Queens (12:00 p.m.) — both at the Government House Pitch; Rivers Angels vs Imo Strikers (8:00 a.m., Government House Pitch); Bayelsa Queens vs Delta Queens (8:00 a.m., Samson Siasia Stadium) and Heartland Queens are drawn bye.

Chairman of Bayelsa Queens and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Pastor Robin Apreala, assured all participating teams of fairness throughout the tournament, urging referees to uphold professionalism.

He said the high number of entries reflected the growing acceptance of the competition, appreciating Governor Douye Diri, his deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and Dr. Daniel Igali, Commissioner for Sports Development, for their support in hosting the event.

Tournament Director Mr. Diseye Nwankwe added that the competition will open on Sunday, October 18, at the Samson Siasia Stadium, with a rest day scheduled for Wednesday due to Bayelsa United’s NPFL fixture against Kun Khalifat.