NWFL Premiership MD 6 Preview: South West derby highlights Matchday six

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The six teams yet to taste defeat after five games in the 2024/25 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership hope to maintain their run after matchday six.

Two of the teams, Bayelsa Queens and Naija Ratels, will put their streak on the line at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenegoa.

Holders, Edo Queens visit pointless Confluence Queens while Rivers face another club without any breakthrough in debutant, Benue Queens.

Impressive Remo Stars Ladies take a short trip to Lagos to face Dannaz Ladies in the South West Derby.

Here is a preview of what to expect from 2024/25 NWFL Premiership Matchday six.

Group A

Confluence Queens vs Edo Queens

With diverse fortunes, Confluence Queens and defending champions, Edo Queens face off with similar aim.

The host hopes to pick their first win or point,int which will be a major upset against Moses Aduku’s side.

The Benin City-based side has won three of their five games with two draws, bouncing back from consecutive stalemates with a 2-0 success over Nasarawa Amazons last week.

Edo Queens have won four of the last seven league games between both sides with Confluence Queens winning two while a 1-1 draw during the 2021/22 season was the only stalemate.

The last meeting at the 2023/24 Super Six saw Edo Queens thrash Sabo Okala’s side 5-1 on their way to winning their maiden league title.

Abia Angels vs Ekiti Queens

This will be the first ever meeting between both sides in top flight history.

Last week’s 2-0 loss to Remo Stars Ladies ended Abia Angels three match unbeaten record which they hope to return to winning ways here.

The Adanna Nwaneri’s side have won their two home games so far hoping to continue that good form on their home ground.

After escaping relegation in their debut season last year, Ekiti Queens have won more matches after five games (3) compared to last season’s feat (1).

Away grounds have not been favourable for Ekiti Queens with losses against Remo Stars Ladies and Nasarawa Amazons, a run they aim to end against Abia Angels.

Dannaz Ladies vs Remo Stars Ladies

The only derby fixture of Matchday six is between the two South West teams from Lagos and Ogun state respectively.

Both privately owned and gained promotion to the top flight the same season will face off in the top flight for the first time.

Dannaz Ladies have won one of their two home games against Confluence Queens drawing the other with Edo Queens.

Remo Stars Ladies on the other hand is having a superb start to the season with four wins and a draw being one of the five teams yet to taste defeat in the league.

In their two away games, the Sky Blue Ladies have won one against Confluence Queens and played out a 1-1 draw with Edo Queens making this South West derby an eye catching encounter.

Nasarawa Amazons vs Heartland Queens

Host, Nasarawa Amazons lost their second match of the campaign last week as Edo Queens smiled with a 2-0 win in Benin City.

The Solid Babes have won the other three games including away victory against Confluence Queens in Anyimgba.

After five games, Heartland Queens continue to search for their first win of the season.

With two draws and three losses, Obi Ogbala’s side will accept any kind of result here after loss in their past two trips.

Two of the last three head-to-head meetings in the league last season have gone the way of bot sides with a 1-0 scoreline.

Their last encounter at the 2023/24 Super Six ended in a 0-0 draw in Yenegoa.

Group B

Benue Queens vs Rivers Angels

With five straight losses, Benue Queens are having a real baptism of fire in their debut season in the top flight.

The host one of the unbeaten sides in the league, Rivers Angels after the latter played out a 1-1 draw in a keenly contested South South derby with Bayelsa Queens last week.

This will also be the first time that both sides will be meeting in the top flight like Abia Angels vs Ekiti Queens and Dannaz Ladies vs Remo Stars Ladies.

A win for Benue Queens in Lafia will be the biggest upset of the season so far after six games.

Former league winner with Delta Queens, Tosan Blankson take Rivers Angels to Lafia with the aim of getting a win away from home to add up to their 2-1 victory over host former side in Asaba.

Ibom Angels vs Adamawa Queens

Uyo will be the venue of Ibom Angels clash win Adamawa Queens.

The host, Ibom Angels have won just one of their last five games with a draw and two losses.

The returning team to the top flight remained unbeaten at home in their two games in Uyo.

Adamawa Queens on the other hand are not good travelers after losses at FC Robo Queens and Bayelsa Queens.

The last two league meetings between these two teams ended in 2-0 win at home for either sides.

Both results came during the 2022/23 league campaign which saw the Orange Ladies drop to the second tier league.

Bayelsa Queens vs Naija Ratels

Two teams without a loss after five games trade tackles at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenegoa.

The Prosperity Girls have recorded three wins with two draws so far while their opponents is gradually having a tag of “draw specialists”.

The Abuja based side have drawn four of their five games with a win over Ibom Angels their solitary success.

Historically, Bayelsa Queens have won two of the past three league meeting with Naija Ratels during the travelers first ever season in the top flight.

A 1-1 draw in Abuja was the only statement recorded between both sides in the league.

Delta Queens vs FC Robo Queens

Delta Queens search for their second win of the campaign against FC Robo Queens at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

The former league winners is having a slow start to the season with a win, draw, and two losses.

Peter Dedevbo’s side have won one of their two home games against Benue Queens and lost 2-1 to Rivers Angels in the South South derby.

A 1-1 draw with Naija Ratels in Abuja was their first away point with that result expected to give the host a boost here.

FC Robo Queens have had a different run of three wins, a draw, and a loss which was against Rivers Angels in Port Harcourt.

The Lagos Landladies have won one of their trips against Benue Queens with the hop of getting their second away victory here.

The Pearls have won two of the last six league meetings against FC Robo Queens with the other four games ending in draws.