Two South-South heavyweights, Bayelsa Queens and Rivers Angels, will rekindle their fierce rivalry on Saturday as they face off in Matchday One of the 2024/25 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership Super Six at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.
This will be the third meeting between the teams this season, following their Group B encounters during the regular season.
Bayelsa Queens enter the Super Six in blistering form, having finished the regular season unbeaten with 10 wins and four draws.
The Yenagoa-based side topped Group B with 34 points, the highest tally across both groups. However, their impressive all-competition unbeaten streak was ended by Nasarawa Amazons in a recent 2–1 defeat in the President Federation Cup quarter-finals.
Rivers Angels, who finished closely behind with 32 points from 10 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, will be aiming to assert themselves in this crucial playoff opener. The Port Harcourt-based side remains one of the most consistent teams in NWFL history, with their last league title coming in 2021.
While Bayelsa Queens lifted the title in 2022, both teams narrowly missed out last season to eventual champions Edo Queens, making this derby a potentially decisive early fixture in the title race.
Head-to-Head Record (Including Scorers):
- 2020/21: Rivers Angels 1–0 Bayelsa Queens (Maryann Ezeanagu 90+2’)
- 2020/21 Super Six: Bayelsa Queens 0–4 Rivers Angels (Maryann Ezeanagu 59’, Vivian Ilechukwu 61’, Oghenebrume Ikhehua 63’, 85’)
- 2021/22: Bayelsa Queens 1–0 Rivers Angels (Mercy Itimi 25’)
- 2021/22: Rivers Angels 1–0 Bayelsa Queens (Chiamaka Okwuchukwu 29’)
- 2021/22 Super Six: Bayelsa Queens 2–1 Rivers Angels (Joy Bokiri 33’, Gift Monday 90+1’ | Rofiat Imuran 76’)
- 2022/23: Bayelsa Queens 2–0 Rivers Angels (Juliet Sunday, Mary Aderemi)
- 2022/23: Rivers Angels 1–2 Bayelsa Queens (Adaobi Okah 45+1’ | Flourish Sabastine 32’, Etim Edidiong 85’)
- 2022/23 Super Six: Rivers Angels 0–2 Bayelsa Queens (Glory Edet 3’ PK)
- 2023/24: Bayelsa Queens 1–1 Rivers Angels (Rose Ekong 35’ | Ezekiel Motunrayo 3’)
- 2023/24: Rivers Angels 1–0 Bayelsa Queens (Patience Otubo 89’)
- 2023/24 Super Six: Bayelsa Queens 1–1 Rivers Angels (Fehintola Mabokanje 10’ | Rita Peter 82’)
- 2024/25: Rivers Angels 1–1 Bayelsa Queens (Peace Effiong 10’ | Zainab Olapade 27’)
- 2024/25: Bayelsa Queens 1–0 Rivers Angels (Alaba Obabiyi 3’)
Total Meetings: 13
Bayelsa Queens Wins: 6
Rivers Angels Wins: 4
Draws: 3
The recent form and superior head-to-head record slightly favor Bayelsa Queens, but Rivers Angels have shown they are capable of matching their regional rivals in high-pressure games.
With both teams aiming to reclaim the league title and secure a continental ticket, Saturday’s derby could prove pivotal in shaping the Super Six title race.