Honey Badgers earn first NWFL Premiership berth as Ibom Angels gain instant return

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

For the first time in their history, Honey Badgers picked promotion ticket for the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership on Sunday.

The Benue based side edged host, Pelican Stars 1-0 in the 2024 NWFL Championship promotion playoffs at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Cross Rivers State capital on Sunday.

A second half goal from Helen Daniel ensured their berth in the women’s football top flight.

Honey Badgers under the tutelage of coach Bashiru Liadi topped Group B2 with six points to set up promotion playoffs clash with one of the most successful teams in the league, Pelican Stars.

They joined the list of growing privately owned teams in the top flight including FC Robo Queens, Naija Ratels, Dannaz Ladies, and Remo Stars Ladies.

Ladi’s side picked promotion tickets alongside Ibom Angels which defeated Osun Babes 2-0 in the other promotion playoffs game.

Goals in each half from Abasiofon Uwah and Ijeoma Onweagba ensured an instant return to the top flight for Edwin Okon’s side.

They won all their five games including four from Group B1 against Unification FC, Delta Babes, Papa Soccer Angels, and Chosen Generation Angels.

This will be the second season consecutively that the Orange Ladies will be returning to the top flight immediately after relegation to the second tier.