NWFL season concludes with Osun, Sunshine relegation

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The 2025/26 Nigeria Women Football League Premiership regular season ended on Wednesday with decisive outcomes across all centres, as Sunshine Queens and Osun Babes were relegated despite wins and spirited efforts on the final day, PUNCH Online reports.

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Across nine venues, matchday 18 delivered late drama, goals and confirmation of the Super Six line-up, bringing the league phase to a close ahead of the title-deciding tournament.

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In Lagos, Robo Queens sealed top spot in Group B with a 2-1 victory over Nasarawa Amazons, maintaining a perfect home record of nine wins from nine matches.

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Former Madrid CF star Opeyemi Ajakaye opened the scoring in the 24th minute for her sixth goal of the campaign before Oluwakemi Adegbuyi doubled the lead shortly after the restart to take her tally to eight.

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Ayatsea Hembafan reduced the deficit in the 75th minute, but the visitors could not find an equaliser.

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There was a five-goal thriller in Ikenne as Dannaz Ladies came from behind to beat Remo Stars Ladies 3-2 in a South-West derby.

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Chiamaka Ojialor handed the hosts an early advantage, but the Ivory Girls responded in emphatic fashion as Fatimoh Solaty, Zainab Raji and Ajoke Akinbo struck to swing the contest, with a late own goal adding late drama as they held on to secure their top-flight status.

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In Benin City, Edo Queens strengthened their title credentials with a 2-1 win over Rivers Angels.

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Atume Doosuur opened the scoring in the 21st minute and went on to finish the regular season as the league’s top scorer with 12 goals, while Esther Inyang added a second before Patience Otubo pulled one back late on.

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Delta Queens produced one of the most emphatic results of the day, defeating Osun Babes 3-0 in Asaba.

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Titilayo Aweda scored twice inside the opening 20 minutes before Anastasia Terfa added a third after the interval, confirming Osun’s relegation.

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In the Abia State derby, Ahudiyannem Queens ended their debut top-flight campaign on a positive note with a 1-0 victory over Abia Angels courtesy of Loveth Edeh’s second-half strike.

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Ekiti Queens recorded one of the shocks of the day, edging Group A leaders and the defending champions Bayelsa Queens 1-0 in Ado-Ekiti, with Joke Adeyemo scoring the decisive goal in the fourth minute.

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Sunshine Queens closed their ailing campaign with a 2-0 win over Confluence Queens in Akure through goals from Lolade Akintunde and Bunmi Adenuga, but the result was not enough to avoid relegation as both sides dropped out of the top flight.

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Heartland Queens secured a narrow 1-0 win over Adamawa Queens in Owerri, with Chimebere Opara scoring the only goal late in the contest.

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In Ibadan, Pacesetter Queens and Naija Ratels shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

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Janet Achukwu put the visitors ahead before Samantha Victor equalised, but both sides were unable to escape relegation from Group A after staying bottom for the most part of campaign and 11 points behind their nearest rivals.

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At the end of the regular season, Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens and Rivers Angels qualified for the Super Six from Group A, while Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons and Abia Angels progressed from Group B.

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Ahudiyannem Queens finished fourth in Group B in an impressive debut season, ahead of Delta Queens and Remo Stars Ladies, who narrowly missed out on qualification, while Dannaz Ladies did enough to retain their top-flight status for the second season in a row.

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However, Pacesetter Queens and Naija Ratels were relegated from Group A, while Sunshine Queens, Osun Babes and Confluence Queens dropped from Group B, bringing an end to their Premiership campaigns.

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With the regular season concluded, attention now turns to the Super Six, where the top six teams will compete for the NWFL Premiership title and a slot to the 2025/26 WAFU B Champion League, with details of the tournament expected to be announced in due course.

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