The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership year 2024–2025 got underway on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, with eight thrilling games spread around the nation’s cities.
Defending champions Edo Queens crushed Abia Angels 5-0 at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City in the much awaited inaugural Star Match, which was televised live under floodlights.
Miracle Usani scored against her old team just minutes into the game, setting the tone with one of the season’s fastest goals.
After Emem Essien doubled the advantage in the 34th minute, Goodnesses Osigwe, Loveth Edeh, and Kafayat Mafisere scored more goals to give the Benin Arsenals a convincing victory.
In yet another exciting match, Remo Stars Ladies defeated Confluence Queens 3-1 on the road in Anyimgba after a spectacular comeback in the second half.
The hosts had taken the lead in the 25th minute thanks to Idayat Olanrewaju, but a strong comeback was spurred by coach Wemimo Mathew’s tactical genius at halftime.
Oluwaseyi Arubo and Olamide Bolaji scored two goals in short succession to complete the turnaround and give Remo Stars the three points after Olasubomi Ogundele drew one back in the 48th minute.
Odunayo Olaleye scored the game-winning goal as Ekiti Queens defeated Heartland Queens 1-0 in Ado Ekiti to start the season.
In Lafia, the Nasarawa Amazons defeated the Dannaz Ladies 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Shola Shobowale.
In their first-ever NWFL appearance, FC Robo Queens crushed Benue Queens 5-1 in Lafia.
Favour Nwokocha’s early goal and a brace from Tosin Rafiu put the visitors in control, and a penalty from Annastasia Emefo gave the league newcomers a fleeting window of hope.
However, Kemi Adegbuyi and Mariam Yahaya completed the victory for the Lagos team, who are now leading Group B following Matchday 1.
In the South-South derbies, Bayelsa Queens overcame a fierce challenge from Delta Queens to win 1-0, thanks to a late goal from Sefiat Idris in Yenegoa.
In the second South-South match, Rivers Angels defeated Ibom Angels 2-1 in Port Harcourt thanks to an early own goal from Helen Daniels, followed by a second own goal from Joy Michael that put Ibom Angels back in the game, but Ifeoma Ikenokwalu’s goal in the 78th minute sealed the victory for Tosan Blankson’s team.
Finally, the Northern Derby between Naija Ratels and Adamawa Queens ended in a 1-1 draw in Gombe, with two goals in the second half—Injimaco Mnunenge’s equaliser for Adamawa and Naija
NWFL 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
