Amazons Triumph: Nasarawa Amazons Champions of Maiden Gov. Diri Pre-season Tournament!
Nasarawa Amazons began their season on a high note by conquering the inaugural Governor Douye Diri Women’s Pre-season Football Tournament in Yenagoa. In the dramatic final on Sunday, October 26, 2025, the Lafia-based side secured victory over local rivals and defending NWPL champions, Bayelsa Queens. After regulation time ended in a goalless draw, the match was decided by a penalty shootout where the Amazons displayed superior composure to win 6-5, making a powerful statement ahead of the 2025/2026 NWPL season.
The team’s victory was underlined by the exceptional performance of their star midfielder. The versatile and dynamic Joy Igbokwe was deservedly voted the Player of the Tournament for her outstanding dexterity in the heart of the Amazons’ midfield throughout the competition. Igbokwe’s leadership and skill were instrumental to the team’s success; she is also the respected captain of the Nigeria U-20 Women’s National Team, the Falconets.
The team’s success was immediately recognized and rewarded by the Nasarawa State government. Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, who was present at the final, fulfilled his pledge by presenting the victorious squad with a cash reward of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (\bm{\text{N}500,000.00}). This reward was given to the entire team—players and officials—as a unified appreciation for their triumph in the highly competitive tournament.
An elated Commissioner Kwanta showered the team with praise, emphasizing their impressive consistency and regional dominance. He proudly referenced their earlier victory in the Betsy Obaseki Pre-season tournament, noting that achieving back-to-back success in the football-rich South-South zone was a clear demonstration of the Amazons’ superior quality and preparedness for the upcoming league campaign. He stressed the team had done the state proud.
The Commissioner also conveyed the deep pride of Governor Abdullahi Sule, assuring the team that the Governor was keenly following their journey and was eager to receive the champions back in Lafia. He expressed strong optimism that after narrowly missing out on titles last season, this pre-season triumph would be the much-needed catalyst for the team to finally secure a major league or cup title for the State this season.
Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman Nagogo, the Chairperson of Nasarawa Amazons FC, affirmed her immense pride in the team’s performance and dedicated the monumental achievement to Governor Abdullahi Sule, whose unwavering support she credited as the team’s continuous inspiration. She pledged that the club would work relentlessly to secure a major piece of silverware before the end of the current administration, firmly establishing the Nasarawa Amazons as primary contenders for the upcoming 2025/2026 NWPL title.
