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Edo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons dominate 2025/26 NWFL Premiership Best XI of the Season

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Edo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons dominate 2025/26 NWFL Premiership Best XI of the Season

The 2025/26 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership season showcased remarkable talent, consistency, and outstanding performances across the league.

After months of thrilling action, a select group of players have earned recognition in the NWFL Premiership Best XI of the Season, representing some of the league’s most impressive clubs.

Goalkeeper

Fatima Oloko (Abia Angels):

Oloko was a commanding presence between the sticks for Abia Angels throughout the campaign.

Her crucial saves, leadership, and consistency played a significant role in her team’s performances, making her the standout goalkeeper of the season.

Abia Angels qualified for the Super Six for the first time in the club’s history and finished above Rivers Angels and FC Robo Queens in a fairy tale run thanks to Oloko’s performances.

Her form earned the former Rivers Angels save hands the goalkeeper of the season award.

Defenders

Valentina Uroko (Edo Queens):

A reliable and composed defender, Uroko was instrumental in Edo Queens’ impressive title-winning campaign.

Her defensive awareness and ability to read the game made her one of the league’s finest defenders.

Oladeji Oluwabunmi (Bayelsa Queens):

Oluwabunmi combined strength and discipline at the heart of Bayelsa Queens’ defence, helping her side remain competitive against some of the league’s strongest attacks.

The former Naija Ratels FC player stood out as an important defensive force for the Prosperity Girls throughout the season.

Jumoke Alani (Nasarawa Amazons)

Alani’s consistency, aerial dominance, and defensive solidity earned her a deserved place in the season’s Best XI.

She was a key figure in Nasarawa Amazons’ backline. Her key strength include wing play recovery and sublime crosses.

Favour Iheagwaram (Abia Angels):

Iheagwaram impressed with her versatility and defensive resilience, contributing significantly to Abia Angels’ success throughout the season.

Another player for Abia Angels who contributed immensely to the team’s fairy tale season.

Midfielders

Joy Igbokwe (Nasarawa Amazons):

The midfield engine of Nasarawa Amazons, Igbokwe excelled with her work rate, creativity, and ability to control matches from the centre of the park.

She combines the function for the Solid Babes and national women’s U-20 team as their skipper.

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (FC Robo Queens):

Adegbuyi’s vision, technical ability, and influence in midfield made her one of the standout performers in the league, earning recognition among the season’s elite.

The teenager’s creativity ensured that she emerged as the league’s most valuable player for the season.

Chioma Moses (Edo Queens):

Moses played a pivotal role in Edo Queens’ title challenge, combining creativity with tactical intelligence to dictate play and provide crucial contributions in attack.

Forwards

Abasiofon Uwah (Rivers Angels):

Uwah was a constant threat in the final third, delivering goals and decisive performances that helped Rivers Angels remain competitive throughout the campaign.

She shared the highest goal scorer prize with Edo Queens Atume Doosuur.

Atume Doosuur (Edo Queens):

One of the league’s most dangerous attackers, Doosuur’s pace, finishing ability, and attacking instincts made her a standout performer for Edo Queens.

She scored 13 goals, same with Uwah to end the season as the league joint top gola scorer.

Ayatsea Hembafan (Nasarawa Amazons):

Hembafan enjoyed an exceptional season, consistently troubling opposition defences with her movement, creativity, and eye for goal.

Coach of the Season

Moses Aduku (Edo Queens):

Guiding Edo Queens to another outstanding campaign, Aduku’s tactical expertise, leadership, and ability to get the best out of his players earned him the Coach of the Season award.

His influence was central to the club’s success and the strong representation of Edo Queens in this year’s Best XI.

With Edo Queens, Aduku have won two league titles after winning one with Bayelsa Queens in 2022.

The 2025/26 NWFL Premiership Best XI reflects the quality, dedication, and excellence displayed throughout the season, celebrating players and coaches who consistently performed at the highest level in Nigeria’s top-flight women’s football league.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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