The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has taken swift disciplinary action after violent scenes marred the Matchday 15 Premiership clash between Ekiti Queens and Pacesetter Queens in Ado Ekiti.
In an official statement released on Thursday, the league confirmed the suspension of two players following a post-match altercation that erupted immediately after the final whistle at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium.
The encounter, played on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, ended in a 2-0 victory for Ekiti Queens, but the result was overshadowed by ugly scenes involving Teslimot Balogun of Pacesetter Queens and Busari Suliyat of Ekiti Queens.
According to reports submitted by match officials, tensions boiled over shortly after the game ended, with both players engaging in conduct described as violent and unsporting.
The incident reportedly caused chaos around the pitch area and drew immediate concern from officials and spectators present at the stadium.
Following the clash, the NWFL launched a review process, examining:
The referee’s official report
Findings from the match commissioner
Available video footage of the incident
After considering the evidence, the league concluded that the actions of both players brought the game into disrepute.
As punishment, the NWFL announced that both Teslimot Balogun and Busari Suliyat have been handed two-match suspensions.
The bans will take immediate effect starting from Matchday 16, meaning both players will miss their teams’ upcoming fixtures.
The suspensions could prove significant, especially as the NWFL Premiership season enters a crucial stage with teams battling for playoff spots and survival.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, used the opportunity to restate the league’s zero-tolerance policy toward violence in Nigerian women’s football.
She warned that future incidents involving players or officials could attract even harsher sanctions, including indefinite suspensions.
“Any act of violence has no place in our league and will be met with firm disciplinary action to protect the integrity of the game and the safety of all participants.”
The statement signals the league’s determination to maintain discipline and professionalism across all levels of competition.
The suspensions come at a critical time for both clubs.
Ekiti Queens are pushing to improve their standing in the league table, while Pacesetter Queens continue fighting to avoid relegation. Losing key squad members for two matches could affect momentum and squad depth for both sides.
Managers of both teams will now need to adjust quickly ahead of Matchday 16.
The NWFL has continued to improve standards on and off the pitch in recent seasons, with increased attention on officiating, media coverage, player welfare, and discipline.
This latest action sends a clear message that misconduct will not be tolerated regardless of the teams or players involved.
As the league continues to grow in popularity, protecting its image remains a top priority.
While Ekiti Queens celebrated a deserved 2-0 victory on the pitch, the post-match violence has become the major talking point from the fixture.
With two suspensions now confirmed, attention shifts to how both clubs respond and whether the warning from the league will prevent similar incidents in the future.
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