NWFL: The Best of Women Football

The Nigerian Women Football League has been playing in an abridged league format since 2003, but the league body decided to change it for 2020/21 season with a  league that boasts of 14 teams playing in a straight format of home and away matches.

This season has started with a bang and the teams have entertain the spectators with galore of goals and good football, therefore women football is now producing more glamour for the spectators to groove with estacy.

And the most interesting part is that the maiden Africa Women's Champions League edition will take center stage next season, so all the teams are working hard tactically to be part of the history.

Stats after 4 rounds of matches

Bayelsa Queens have 100% record with 4 wins out of 4 games.

Pelican Stars, Nasarawa Amazons and Dream Star ladies have lost 3 games apiece.

Pelican Stars and Dream Star ladies have conceded the most goals (9)

FC Robo and Rivers Angels have scored the most goals - 10 goals apiece.

With the most clean sheets are; Edo Queens, Royal Queens and Sunshine Queens - 2 apiece.

FC Robo striker, Monday Gift has scored the only hat-trick so far - she has 5 goals in all to currently lead the goalscoring chat.

Edo Queens striker, Chioma Wogu received the first and only red card so far this season when she was sent off against Dream star ladies

In 28 games so far, 73 goals have been scored.

We have had 20 home wins, 4 away wins, 4 draws.

Less than 10 penalties has been awarded.

As the season progresses more records will be set and broken.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sport Writer and Analyst

The Semi-final Hoodoo

Manchester united have been fantastic under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, the legend cum manager has built a formidable team mixed with youth and experience players since he took over the Red Devils in December 2018

However, it is sadden that his boys always fall like a pack of cards when it really matters, recently their bitter rival Man City compound their semi-final bad luck with a 2-nil victory at old Trafford to book a place in the League Cup final.

Moreover Solskjaer and his lads suffered 3 semifinals heartache in the domestic and European cup competitions last season - to Man City (League Cup), Chelsea (FA cup) and Sevilla (UEFA Europa league).

Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of 2012/13 season, Manchester United have been a shadow of themselves. Managers such as David Moyes, Ryan Giggs (interim), Louis Van Gal, Jose Mourinho and now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all been brought into the fray but none of them could do it as the great man himself.

The last time Man United won any trophy was under Jose Mourinho in 2017 when they won the Europa league and League Cup by defeating Ajax and Southampton in respective finals.

The present squad are showing glimpses of promise but nearly can not kill a bird.

Can this crops of players eventually win a trophy?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sport Writer and Analyst

The Fumbling Blues

Chelsea FC started the 2020/21 Premier League season on a good note, and at some point they look like title contender during their 9 games unbeaten run that was halted by Everton.

However,  presently the club legend cum manager Frank Lampard who guided the team safely to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage earlier this season seems to be short of ideas on the touchline.

Recently, Man City compound the Pensioners woes with a three goals to one victory at Stamford Bridge which has resulted into piling more pressure on Lampard.

Hence, so far the Blues have lost 4 games out of there last 6 Premier League matches. In 17 games, they had 7 wins, drawn 5,

lost 5, amassed 26 points, kept 6 clean sheets, scored 32 goals - the third highest in the league - and conceded just 11 goals.

Problems of the team

Chelsea spent over 250 million pounds in the summer on signings of players.

Some of the players does not fit the billing, the Kai Havertz's of this world has not live up to expectations.

Timo Werner is a good forward but he is inconsistent and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has forgotten how to save shot on target.

Injury crisis

Whenever some of the regular are not fit the back up players usually fail to come to the party, for instance Hakim ziyech has been battling with injury and his replacement Pulisic is also prone to injury.

Solution to the crisis

The team need more reinforcements in defence, a quality one - not the tired legs of Thiago Silva.

A good defensive midfielder to support the fading N'golo Kante.

Finally, Lampard must start getting a positive result to avoid the axe of Roman Abrahamovic who has sacked about 10 managers since he took over the ownership of Chelsea in 2003.

Up next for Lampard and his boys is Morecambe in FA Cup follow by a visit to Leicester City 3 days later in the league. 

Can he survive and turn things around?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst