Rivers Angels head coach Tosan Blackson has declared that his team is stepping into the new Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership season with one mission only — to reclaim the championship.
With the league kicking off on Tuesday, Blackson says expectations inside the Rivers Angels camp are sky-high, and the players know the standard required to restore the club to its traditional place at the top of Nigerian women’s football.
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“Our expectations are very high. We are going for the title — nothing less,” Blackson said confidently as he assessed his squad ahead of the opening fixtures.
The 2025/2026 NWFL season promises to be one of the most intense yet, with 20 clubs set to battle across two groups of ten, in what is the league’s expanded and highly competitive format. The stakes are enormous: six teams will be relegated at the end of the campaign, while only two clubs from the NWFL Championship will earn promotion to the top tier.
Blackson believes this high-pressure structure will bring out the best in the Angels, who have reinforced key areas of the squad and sharpened their tactical approach in preseason. He praised his players for embracing the challenge and showing a hunger that reflects the club’s winning identity.
“The league is tougher now, but so are we. The players are focused, disciplined, and ready to fight for every point,” he said.
Rivers Angels — one of Nigeria’s most successful women’s teams — fell short of the title last season, but Blackson insists that disappointment has fuelled their determination. According to him, the team has learned valuable lessons from recent campaigns, particularly the importance of consistency, discipline, and composure under pressure.
“We have corrected what went wrong. This season, we are approaching every game like a final,” he added.
With competition fierce and relegation unforgiving, Rivers Angels know they must start strong and stay resilient throughout the marathon season. But Blackson’s message is clear and unapologetic:
Rivers Angels are not just participating this year — they’re coming for the crown.
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