The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has confirmed the fixtures for the promotion and relegation playoffs of the 2026 NWFL Championship following the conclusion of an entertaining group stage in Calabar.
Attention now shifts to Matchday Four, where the four group winners will continue their quest for promotion to the NWFL Premiership, while the bottom-placed teams battle to avoid relegation.
Among the headline fixtures is Rangers Women’s meeting with Imo Striker Queens in what promises to be one of the standout encounters of the promotion playoffs.
The match is scheduled for 2:00pm on Thursday, July 16, at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
Rangers Women earned their place in the promotion playoffs after an impressive unbeaten campaign in Group C, collecting seven points from three matches. The Flying Antelopes opened with a goalless draw against Unification FC before defeating Wazbak International Sports Academy 2-1 and sealing top spot with a 1-0 victory over Fortress Ladies courtesy of Chisom Chukwuemeka’s late winner.
READMORE: Rangers Women, DreamStar, Pelican Stars and Imo Striker Queens seal NWFL promotion playoff places after dramatic group stage finale
Their opponents, Imo Striker Queens, also progressed as Group D winners after a strong group-stage performance, setting up an intriguing contest between two teams that have yet to taste defeat in the championship.
The second promotion playoff fixture will see Group A winners DreamStar Ladies take on Group B champions Pelican Stars at 4:00pm, also at the U.J. Esuene Stadium.
Both matches are expected to play a significant role in determining which clubs secure promotion to Nigeria’s top-flight women’s league.
The relegation playoffs will get underway earlier in the day.
First Mahi Babes will face Gallant Queens at 9:00am, while Fortress Ladies will take on Chosen Generation at 11:30am, with both fixtures also scheduled for the U.J. Esuene Stadium.
The playoff stage follows a dramatic end to the group phase, which produced 13 goals across six Matchday Three fixtures and confirmed the four teams still in contention for promotion.
Confirmed Promotion Playoff Fixtures (Matchday Four)
Thursday, July 16 – U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar
- Rangers Women vs Imo Striker Queens – 2:00pm
- DreamStar Ladies vs Pelican Stars – 4:00pm
Relegation Playoff Fixtures
- First Mahi Babes vs Gallant Queens – 9:00am
- Fortress Ladies vs Chosen Generation – 11:30am
