With three games to the end of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership regular season, teams continue to jostle for points across eight centres as Matchday 12 games.
Neighbours will take short trips to rekindle their rivalry in South West derby between Remo Stars and FC Robo Queens, while Delta Queens welcome South-South rivals, Bayelsa Queens to Asaba, hoping to revive their Super-Six qualification in a fading title defence run.
Group A
Naija Ratels vs Royal Queens
The bottom placed teams face each other in Abuja with in thing in mind, pick a win to salvage league status. Bankole Olowookere’s side have a slight edge of three wins against Royal Queens two victories thus far.
The visitors take four four-match winless streak to Abuja in a place where the host has won three games with a draw and a loss.
The Canadian Geese has lost four of their five trips with a 0-0 draw with Abia Angels their only points away from home. The reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw between both sides at the end of Matchday four.
They both won their home head-to-head meetings last season with Naija Ratels FC 3-0 win in Abuja after Royal Queens’ 1-0 triumph in Warri.
Confluence Queens vs Heartland Queens
One of the star matches of the week sees leaders, Heartland Queens visit third-placed Confluence Queens in Iyamho Stadium, Auchi.
Heartland Queens take their four-match unbeaten run to Iyamho where the host has won four of their five games with a 0-0 draw against Dannaz in the league opener their only dropped point at home.
Obi Ogbala’s side has picked five points away from home this season leaving a chance for an exciting clash. A win for Confluence Queens will take them to the summit depending on the result elsewhere.
The reverse fixture ended in a 0-0 draw.
Abia Angels vs Nasarawa Amazons
Second-placed Nasarawa Amazons travels to face Abia Angels in Aba with scores to settle from the reverse fixture which ended in a 0-0 draw earlier this season.
The hosts are yet to win any of their last three games ahead of the clash with potential Super Six campaigner. The Solid Miners returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win against Dannaz Ladies after a loss to Heartland, their third defeat of the current campaign.
Abia Angels have won three of their five home games with a draw and a loss to Heartland Queens. The Solid Miners’ three losses came away from home with a draw and a 3-1 win over Naija Ratels in Abuja their solitary away success.
Historically, Nasarawa Amazons has won the past three head-to-head meetings with the three games ending in a 2-1 victory.
Dannaz Ladies vs Adamawa Queens
In an early kickoff on Wednesday, Dannaz Ladies and Adamawa Queens face off in Lagos intending to make last moment push to qualify for the coveted Super-Six event.
The Lagos based side will hope to end their two-match losing streak after faltering to Naija Ratels and Nasarawa Amazons with both games ending 3-1. Mobolaji Johnson Arena has been a fortress for Dannaz Ladies with four wins and a draw so far this season.
The Northern travelers search for their first point away from home after five straight losses. Mary Moses 11th minute goal separated both sides on Gombe at the end of the reverse fixture, the first-ever top-flight clash between both sides.
Group B
Remo Stars vs FC Robo Queens
Two teams from South Western part of the country face off in the clash of newbie against an experienced Premiership side.
While Remo Stars Ladies seek to maintain their league status with four points above the relegation zone FC Robo Queens is just a place and a point outside the Super Six spot.
The Lagos Landladies hope to add to their five wins and their first victory on the road. The Sky Blue Stars are yet to taste defeat at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne in their topflight debut campaign. The first leg ended 2-1 in favour of Emmanuel Osahon’s side in Lagos.
Ekiti Queens vs Edo Queens
Another debutants, Ekiti Queens welcomes in-form Edo Queens to the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti.
With two points short of safety, Ekiti Queens need to start picking up wins to add up to their two victories so far.
Moses Aduku’s side won their last two games scoring four goals in both games at home. Glory Osaghae’s hat trick lifted the Benin City-based side to a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture.
That was the first-ever league meeting between both sides as Edo Queens attempt to exercise dominance over the newcomers.
Sunshine Queens vs Rivers Angels
In another clash involving two teams with different ambitions, Rivers Angels visit the Akure Township Stadium against Sunshine Queens.
One of the teams with the highest number of victories with six wins this season, the Jewels of Rivers seek their second away win after a 2-1 triumph over FC Robo Queens in Lagos.
With three home wins so far, the Akure-based side needs another victory to stay clear of their South West neighbours, Ekiti Queens at the basement of the table. The reverse fixture in Port Harcourt ended in a 3-0 win for Ogbonda Whyte’s side.
Rivers Angels has won three of the last four head-to-head games with the solitary draw ending in a 0-0 stalemate on March 17, 2021.
Delta Queens vs Bayelsa Queens
One of the eye-catching games this Matchday 12 is between holders, Delta Queens welcoming 2022 champions Bayelsa Queens in a South-South derby.
After a 1-0 loss to another South-South rivals, Rivers Angels in Port Harcourt last week, Tosan Blankson’s side with seven points short of Super Six qualification needs to earnestly get a win against a formidable side after success in the State FA Cup for both sides.
The Pearls have won three of the last nine head-to-head meetings, with Prosperity Girls winning twice, while the other four games ended in draws.
The reverse fixture ended 1-0 in favour of Domo Okara’s side as Chinyere Igboamalu’s goal separated both sides.
This is the repeat of last season’s tile decider where two goals from Chinaza Agoh lifted Delta Queens to a 2-1 win in Asaba.