Ibom Angels Football Club have announced that their Nigeria Women Football League Premiership match against Ekiti Queens will be played without fans.

The Matchday Seven fixture is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Uyo Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State. According to the club, the decision is in line with a directive from the NWFL board.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the club informed supporters and the general public of the development.

“This is to inform our supporters and indeed the general public that our Matchday Seven fixture of the 2025/2026 NWFL Premiership against Ekiti Queens at Uyo Township Stadium, Uyo, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, will be played behind closed doors in compliance with the directive of the NWFL board,” the statement read.

Ibom Angels also urged fans not to come to the stadium, warning that access will not be granted on the day of the match.

“Consequently, fans are entreated to stay away from the stadium for the duration of the said match on the match day as they would be denied entry if they showed up,” the club added.

Supporters have been encouraged to follow the match through the club’s online platforms.

“They are however welcomed to express the liberty of leveraging our social media handles to catch a blow-by-blow account of all the action live from 4 p.m.,” the statement said.

The club clarified that the restriction does not apply to media professionals and officials.

“Properly identifiable journalists and accredited officials are not bound by this notice,” Ibom Angels confirmed.

The match will kick off at 4 p.m. as Ibom Angels continue their campaign in the 2025/2026 NWFL Premiership.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Gusau has confirmed that there will be no immediate talks over a new contract for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, despite Nigeria’s impressive showing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Speaking to Guardian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana on Monday, Gusau said the federation intends to honour the terms of Chelle’s two-year deal, signed in January 2025.

“There will be no contract extension discussions with Eric Chelle for now,” Gusau said.

“He is only halfway through his current contract. In the last six months, we can begin to review the situation.”

The statement comes amid calls from fans and players for Chelle to be rewarded after Nigeria claimed the bronze medal in Morocco.

Since taking over, Chelle has led the Super Eagles in 17 competitive matches without defeat, winning 11 and drawing six. At the AFCON, Nigeria scored a record 14 goals, remaining unbeaten in regulation time across all seven games.

The team’s run included strong results against Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt, along with wins over Tanzania and Uganda. The third-place finish in Casablanca marked Nigeria’s 17th podium appearance in 21 AFCON tournaments.

Gusau praised Chelle’s early impact, saying the coach has “shown enormous capacity” in his first year in charge. Preparations for the next AFCON, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, are set to begin in March.

Nigeria have previously lifted the AFCON trophy three times – in 1980, 1994, and 2013 – scoring eight, nine, and eleven goals respectively in those campaigns. The 14 goals in Morocco represent Nigeria’s highest-ever tally at a single edition of the tournament.

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi had called on the NFF to offer Chelle a new contract.

Gusau also explained why players did not receive their bronze medals at the stadium after the third-place match.

“The players could not wait for the ceremony on Sunday. Their clubs were already calling them back after Saturday’s game. I have the medals in my possession,” he said.

“This was not unique to Nigeria. Egypt faced the same situation. If the ceremony had been on the day of the match, they would have received their medals then.”

READ MORE: Senegal Coach Pape Thiaw Apologises For AFCON Final Walk-Off

Caretaker News explains what could happen to Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw after the controversial walk-off during Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco. The incident has sparked criticism and raised questions about possible disciplinary action.

Under CAF regulations, instructing players to leave the pitch is classified as unsporting conduct and inciting players, which can result in fines or touchline bans. It does not automatically lead to disqualification.

Thiaw was at the centre of the chaotic scenes that briefly stopped the match after a penalty was awarded to the hosts. Speaking after the game, he apologised to the football world.

“Quite simply, because we did not agree with the decision. I don’t want to dwell too much on that moment of the match, but after reflecting on it, I didn’t like how I acted,” Thiaw said.

“In a moment of anger, I told the players to leave the pitch, and I apologise to the world of football for that. Once I calmed down, I asked them to return to the field, and we all saw what happened after that.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the incident, calling the walk-off “unacceptable” and saying leaving the field in that manner was wrong and damaged the image of the game.

CAF is now expected to review the incident and decide on the sanctions for Thiaw. He could face a touchline ban plus substantial fine, highlighting the seriousness of the breach.