The 2024/2025 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership kicked off in grand style on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, with eight exciting fixtures across various centres in the country.
The highly anticipated opening Star Match, broadcast live on TV under floodlights, saw defending champions Edo Queens thrash Abia Angels 5-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Miracle Usani set the tone with one of the quickest goals of the season, scoring against her former side within minutes of the match. Emem Essien doubled the lead in the 34th minute, before Goodnesses Osigwe, Loveth Edeh, and Kafayat Mafisere added further goals to seal a comprehensive win for the Benin Arsenals.
In another thrilling encounter, Remo Stars Ladies mounted a stunning second-half comeback to beat Confluence Queens 3-1 away in Anyimgba. Idayat Olanrewaju had given the hosts the lead in the 25th minute, but coach Wemimo Mathew’s tactical brilliance at the break inspired a strong revival.
Olasubomi Ogundele pulled one back in the 48th minute, before two quick-fire goals from Oluwaseyi Arubo and Olamide Bolaji completed the turnaround and secured the three points for Remo Stars.
Ekiti Queens also kicked off their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Heartland Queens in Ado Ekiti, with Odunayo Olaleye scoring the decisive goal. In Lafia, Nasarawa Amazons relied on a late strike from Shola Shobowale to overcome Dannaz Ladies 1-0.
FC Robo Queens delivered a dominant performance in Lafia, crushing Benue Queens 5-1 in their first-ever NWFL appearance.
Favour Nwokocha’s early goal and a brace from Tosin Rafiu put the visitors in command, while a penalty from Annastasia Emefo gave the league newcomers a brief moment of hope. However, Kemi Adegbuyi and Mariam Yahaya rounded off the win for the Lagos side, who are top of Group B after Matchday 1.
In the South-South derbies, Bayelsa Queens survived a tough challenge from Delta Queens to secure a 1-0 win, thanks to a late goal from Sefiat Idris in Yenegoa.
The second South-South clash saw Rivers Angels edge out Ibom Angels 2-1 in Port Harcourt. Helen Daniels’ early own goal handed Rivers the lead, before a second own goal from Joy Michael restored parity for Ibom Angels. However, Tosan Blankson’s side prevailed with Ifeoma Ikenokwalu’s 78th-minute strike sealing the win.
Lastly, the Northern Derby between Naija Ratels and Adamawa Queens ended in a 1-1 draw in Gombe. Two quick goals in the second half—Tunmininu Adeshina’s opener for Naija Ratels and Injimaco Mnunenge’s equalizer for Adamawa—ensured the points were shared.
With five goals each, Edo Queens and FC Robo Queens sit atop Group A and Group B respectively, heading into the next round of fixtures.
Matchday 1 Results:
- Edo Queens 5-0 Abia Angels
- Confluence Queens 1-3 Remo Stars
- Ekiti Queens 1-0 Heartland Queens
- Nasarawa Amazons 1-0 Dannaz Ladies
- FC Robo Queens 5-1 Benue Queens
- Bayelsa Queens 1-0 Delta Queens
- Rivers Angels 2-1 Ibom Angels
- Naija Ratels 1-1 Adamawa Queens
The 2024/2025 NWFL Premiership season promises to deliver more thrilling action as the competition heats up.