Naira rain as Edo State government splashes cash on NWFL Premiership champions

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The Edo State government has expressed its appreciation to the triumphant Edo Queens players and officials after they clinched their first-ever Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership title on Sunday.

Edo Queens, winners of the NWFL Super Six Playoffs, received a hero’s welcome as thousands of jubilant fans joined them in a colorful motorcade through the major streets of the state capital on Thursday.

At the Government House, Governor Godwin Obaseki congratulated the team for bringing home the highly coveted NWFL trophy—a trophy the state had been pursuing for 29 years.

Each player was awarded a cash reward of one million Naira, while the coaches received five million Naira from the state government for their achievement.

“To our wonderful girls and the coaching staff of Edo Queens, you have created history,” Obaseki said during the reception. “Your achievement has made an indelible imprint in the hearts of the Edo people and in the annals of the state.

“Consider the cash reward of N1 million for each player and N5 million for the coaches as a token of our appreciation for your commendable feat. We will continue to do more to propel you to greater heights and ensure your success on the continental stage.”

The Benin City-based side will represent the country at the West Africa Zone B (WAFU-B) Qualifiers.

Should they win the WAFU-B Qualifiers, Moses Aduku’s side will become the second Nigerian team to win the title and join Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens in qualifying for the CAF Women’s Champions League.