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Ukorebi Esien | July 15, 2026
CALABAR — History beckons at the U.J. Esuene Stadium Today as Pelican Stars Football Club stand just 90 minutes away from reclaiming their place in the Nigeria Women's Football League (NWFL), with football stakeholders and supporters urging a massive turnout to inspire the team to victory.
For a club that once dominated women's football in Nigeria and produced some of the country's finest talents, Thursday's encounter is more than another football match. It is an opportunity to end over a decade outside the top flight and begin a new chapter in one of Cross River State's most celebrated sporting stories.
As anticipation builds across the state, football enthusiasts, former players, youth groups, students, traders and sports lovers have been called upon to fill the Calabar Stadium and create the atmosphere needed to drive the team to success.
Describing the fixture as a defining moment for the club, management said the players would need the backing of their home fans to overcome the final hurdle in their quest for promotion.
The significance of the match extends beyond the result on the pitch. A return to the NWFL would restore one of Nigeria's traditional women's football powerhouses to elite competition while opening fresh opportunities for young female footballers in Cross River State to showcase their talents at the highest level.
Pelican Stars, renowned for their rich history and contribution to women's football development, have remained a symbol of pride for Cross River despite years away from the top division. Promotion would represent not only a sporting achievement but also the revival of a legacy that has inspired generations of footballers.
With kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, supporters are expected to converge on the Calabar Stadium, where every cheer, chant and show of solidarity could prove decisive in the team's promotion bid.
As the countdown reaches its final hours, the message across Cross River is clear: history is calling, and Pelican Stars need the voices of their fans to answer.
Should the team secure victory, it would mark the end of a long wait and signal the return of one of Nigeria's most respected women's football clubs to the country's elite league.
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