NWFL Premiership returns after mid-season break with matchday eight

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

After two weeks of mid-season break, the 2024/25 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership returns with matchday eight games.

The games are reverse fixtures of Matchday Seven, the last set of matches before the mid-season break.

Four teams, Remo Stars Ladies, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, and Bayelsa Queens, remain unbeaten going into the eighth matchday.

Below is the preview of the return to action for the NWFL Premiership.

Group A

Ekiti Queens vs Edo Queens

Ekiti Queens at their adopted home, Ilorin Township Stadium welcome holders, Edo Queens.

The host hopes to take their good home form of three victories at Ado Ekiti to Ilorin against unbeaten league holders.

In the reverse fixture, goals from Chioma Moses, Mary Mamudu, and Kafayat Mafisere lifted Edo Queens to a 3-0 win.

Moses Aduku’s side, which is in second place in the group, has won five of their previous seven games with two draws.

They have also won two of the last three head-to-head meetings with their opponents but lost 1-0 in Ado Ekiti last season.

Confluence Queens vs Heartland Queens

In Ayimgba, Confluence Queens will continue their quest to win their first game and pick a point this season.

The Kogi-based side has lost all their previous seven league games ahead of this clash.

Heartland Queens, which has not won their first six league game, finally ended the run with a 3-0 win over Confluence Queens during the last Matchday.

The victory added to their previous run of two draws and four losses.

Both sides have been victorious once in the last three head-to-head meetings with a drawn match.

As Heartland Queens hopes to keep momentum after their first win, Confluence Queens, on the other hand, will dream of picking their first win and point of the campaign.

Nasarawa Amazons vs Remo Stars Ladies

The Solid Babes host Remo Stars in Lafia with the aim of maintaining their perfect home record.

Nasarawa Amazons have won all their three home games in the first stanza ahead of this encounter.

Haunted by Matchday seven 4-0 loss to Remo Stars Ladies in Ikenne, Christopher Danjuma side will have the ambition of ending the Sky Blue Ladies unbeaten record.

Wemimo Mathew’s side, on the other hand, has won all but one of their seven games so far with a good away record.

The team has won two of their three away games during the first stanza, with a 1-1 draw against Edo Queens, the only missing piece.

They have recruited two players for the task ahead. Omotoke Ogunfuwa joined from Dannaz Ladies while Eberechukwu Oleka moved to the team from Osun Babes.

Abia Angels vs Dannaz Ladies

Abia Angels play host to Dannaz Ladies, aspiring to complete a double over the Lagos-based side.

Another team with a perfect home record faces the Cedars which is in search of their first away win after back-to-back losses at home.

Mary Lucky bagged a hat trick as Abia Angels beat Dannaz Ladies in Lagos the last time out of a 4-1 bashing.

Statistically, Abia Angels have won two of the last three games head-to-head games in the league with Dannaz Ladies winning one.

With the last three head-to-head records ending in victory for either side, it is safe to say there would be another victory here.

Group B

Adamawa Queens vs Rivers Angels

Makhwada Stadium, Numan, will be the venue of the Adamawa Queens clash with Rivers Angels.

The host has won two of their previous three home games at Pantami Stadium, Gombe.

The unbeaten home record is at stake here as seven-time league champions Rivers Angels visit Adamawa Queens.

The Jewels of Rivers recorded the biggest win of the season with a 6-0 thrashing of Adamawa Queens in Port Harcourt three weeks ago.

Tosan Blankson’s side hopes to continue the superb form and unbeaten record w, which includes two wins and a draw on the road.

Benue Queens vs Naija Ratels

In the second league meeting between both sides, Benue Queens and Naija Ratels trade tackles in Lafia.

The home side is yet to pick any point after seven games in the league similar to Confluence Queens’ form.

Three weeks ago, Naija Ratels had to rely on Sofia Bankole’s 90th-minute goal to secure a 1-0 win in Abuja.

The result was the Abuja-based side’s second win of the campaign after four draws and a loss against Bayelsa Queens.

Bayelsa Queens vs FC Robo Queens

In one of the most famous league matches in recent seasons, Bayelsa Queens welcomed FC Robo Queens to Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenegoa.

Unbeaten in seven league games, the Prosperity Girls lost the reverse fixture 2-1 last season.

Ogbonda Whyte’s side has won all their three home games this season against Ibom Angels, Adamawa Queens, and Naija Ratels.

They have a similar record with Rivers Angels in the league with five wins and two draws, a record shared with Edo Queens.

The Yenegoa-based side won the reverse fixtures of this clash 3-1 in Lagos.

The victory made it four for them in the last eight head-to-head meetings with the Lagos Landladies winning the other four.

Without a draw in the last eight head-to-head meetings, this clash is delicately poised.

Ibom Angels vs Delta Queens

In the South-South derby, Delta Queens travel to Uyo to face Ibom Angels here in search of their first away point.

Losses to Rivers Angels, Naija Ratels, FC Robo Queens, and their opponents here mark pointless away trips for Ibom Angels.

At home, the Orange Ladies have won their last two home games after a 0-0 draw with Bayelsa Queens in another South-South derby.

The Pearls, on the other hand, hold a three-match unbeaten record in the league with two wins and a draw.

They have lost two of their three away trips during the first stanza and are in good form after playing out a 1-1 draw with Naija Ratels in Abuja.