Wazbak Int’l Sports Academy head coach Adeniyi Wasiu Adekola has praised his players’ determination and teamwork after they opened their 2026 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fortress Ladies FC in Calabar.
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The Lagos-based side had to dig deep to secure all three points in a pulsating Group C encounter, with Fortress Ladies fighting back twice before Wazbak eventually found the decisive goal. Despite finishing the match with 10 players following a late red card, Wazbak held on to record a crucial opening-day victory.
Speaking exclusively to Sports247 after the match, Adekola credited his team’s fighting spirit and collective effort for the impressive comeback.
“Determination and teamwork won the game for us,” he said.
The coach acknowledged the quality of the opposition and commended his players for responding positively after a difficult first half.
“It was a very difficult game, and I commend the players for their hard work and the improvements they made in the second half because they corrected all the mistakes from the first half. Despite receiving a red card in the closing stages of the match, they did very well.”
The victory gives Wazbak a valuable early advantage in what has been widely described as one of the toughest groups in the championship, with Rangers Women FC and Unification FC also battling for the lone promotion playoff ticket.
Despite the encouraging start, Adekola insists his team cannot afford to relax, stressing that there is still significant work to be done before their next fixture.
“We need to work in every area of the team because, like I said in my previous interview, we work together to achieve all our goals. We need to do more.”
The result reinforces Wazbak’s reputation as one of the most exciting young teams in the competition. With a squad built around youthful talents and a strong emphasis on player development, the Lagos club has demonstrated both quality and resilience at a crucial stage of the tournament.
As the race for the sole Group C qualification ticket intensifies, Wazbak Int’l Sports Academy will be aiming to build on their winning start and edge closer to a place in the NWFL Premiership promotion playoffs.
