By Teddy Nwanunobi
The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has unveiled the group-stage draw for the 2026 Nationwide Championship,with 12 clubs split into four pools for the third-tier tournament scheduled to run from Saturday, August 15 to Sunday, August 23 in Aba, Abia State.
The week-long competition will serve as a promotion playoff, with only the top two finishers earning spots in the 2027 NWFL Championship—the second tier of Nigerian women’s football.
Group A pits Kwara United Queens against Solo Wonders Babes, and Spunky Blazers FA, while Group B features C2E Sports Academy, Bayelsa Princesses, and Lakeside Queens.
In Group C, Onimarg FC, Ubakala Babes, and NAF Queens of the FCT will battle for supremacy. Group D comprises Plateau United Queens, Obosa Football Academy, and Osklean FC.
The NWFL Nationwide remains the foundational tier of the domestic women’s league structure, acting as the primary gateway for clubs aspiring to climb to the NWFL Championship and, ultimately, the top-flight NWFL Premiership.
All group-stage matches and subsequent knockout rounds will be held at a single venue in Aba, with the final match day scheduled for August 23.