NWFL: Bayelsa, Robo lead charge as six teams drop
The curtain fell on the 2025/26 NWFL Premiership regular season yesterday with decisive outcomes across both groups confirming the Super Six contenders and sealing the fate of six relegated teams.
The curtain fell on the 2025/26 NWFL Premiership regular season yesterday with decisive outcomes across both groups confirming the Super Six contenders and sealing the fate of six relegated teams.
All four promoted sides: Pacesetters Queens, Sunshine Queens, Osun Babes, and Castmog Ladies have dropped to the NWFL Championship. They are joined by Naija Ratels and Confluence Queens.
While Pacesetters Queens, Confluence Queens, and Naija Ratels had their fate sealed before the final day, Castmog Ladies were expelled earlier due to registration irregularities.
Sunshine Queens and Osun Babes fought to the end but ultimately fell short. Sunshine Queens defeated Confluence Queens 2–0 in Akure through Lolade Akintunde (67’, pen) and Bunmi Adenuga (88’), but their survival hopes were dashed by Dannaz Ladies’ victory in Ikenne.
Osun Babes, meanwhile, were comprehensively beaten 3–0 by Delta Queens in Asaba, with Titilayo Aweda (3’, 20’) grabbing a brace and Anastasia Terfa (55’) adding the third.
In Group A, Bayelsa Queens secured top spot with 37 points despite a 1–0 loss to Ekiti Queens in Ado Ekiti, where Joke Adeyemo (4’) scored the winner.
Edo Queens claimed second place with 36 points after a crucial 2–1 win over Rivers Angels in Benin. Atume Doosuur 21st minute strike, her 12th goal of the season and Esther Inyang (75’) gave Edo the edge. Atume finished as the league’s top scorer with 12 goals, while Patience Otubo pulled one back for Rivers Angels. The Port Harcourt side ended third with 34 points. Notably, Rivers Angels recorded the highest losses (4) among the top three.
Ekiti Queens finished fourth with 22 points, level with Heartland Queens, who sealed fifth place after a late 1–0 win over Adamawa Queens courtesy of Chimebere Opara's 88th minute goal. Adamawa Queens placed sixth with 20 points.
In Ibadan, already relegated sides Pacesetters Queens and Naija Ratels played out a 1–1 draw. Janet Achukwu (18’) gave Ratels the lead before Samantha Victor (36’) equalised. Ratels finished bottom with 6 points, scoring just 6 goals and conceding 33 in 16 matches, while Arewa Oyo placed just above them with 8 points.
In Group B, FC Robo Queens underlined their dominance with a 2–1 victory over Nasarawa Amazons to finish top with 38 points, the highest in the regular season. Opeyemi Ajakaye (24’) and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (50’) were on target. They netted their sixth and eighth goals respectively, while Ihembafan Ayatsea (75’) scored a consolation for Nasarawa Amazons, who finished second with 32 points. It was Ayatsea's 6th goal of the season.
Abia Angels secured third place with 28 points despite a 1–0 home loss to Ahudiyannem Queens, decided by Loveth Edeh (54’). The victory ensured Ahudiyannem Queens’ survival as they finished fourth with 25 points.
Delta Queens climbed to fifth with 25 points after their emphatic win over Osun Babes, while Remo Stars Ladies ended sixth despite a 3–2 loss to Dannaz Ladies in Ikenne.
Dannaz Ladies’ survival-clinching win featured goals from Fatimoh Solaty (6’), Zainab Raji (16’), and Ajoke Akinbo (64’), overturning an early strike by Chiamaka Ojialor (3’) for Remo Stars Ladies, with a late own goal by Miracle Omeke (89’) confirming the result. Dannaz finished seventh with 23 points.
Attention now shifts to the Super Six playoffs where the champions will be crowned. Defending champions Bayelsa Queens remain strong contenders, alongside Nasarawa Amazons, Rivers Angels, Edo Queens, FC Robo Queens with the highest points (38) and debutants Abia Angels.
