The 2024 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship is heating up as the final group stage matches concluded at UJ Esuene Stadium and St. Patrick College Field, Calabar, setting the stage for an exhilarating Promotion and Relegation Playoff weekend.
Pelican Stars advanced to the Promotion Playoffs following a dramatic 2-2 draw against Heroes Queens. Despite trailing early due to a goal by Samanta Effiom, Pelican Stars equalized through Umejiaku Ebube.
Jude Ebube gave the hosts a brief lead, but Mbetobong Johnson’s late equalizer ensured the match ended level.
Pelican Stars clinched their playoff spot with seven points, narrowly edging out Imo Striker Queens, who secured a decisive 4-2 victory over First Mahi Babes, thanks to goals from Osinachi Ugala, Harmony Chidi, Precious Oscar, and Damia Chiamaka.
In Group A1, a top-of-the-table clash saw Osun Babes and Gallant Queens battle to a 1-1 draw.
Latifah Usman’s 70th-minute equalizer for Osun Babes countered Yetunde Fajobi’s early opener for Gallant Queens. Both teams finished with 10 points, but Osun Babes advanced to the Promotion Playoffs due to a superior goal difference of +16.
Meanwhile, Wazbak International delivered a commanding 6-1 victory over Kaduna Queens, consigning the latter to the relegation playoffs.
In Group B1, Ibom Angels continued their perfect run with a 2-0 win over Chosen Generation Angels, courtesy of a brace from Esther Nwafor.
Unification FC also shone with a 4-0 triumph over Papa Soccer Angels, featuring goals from Friday Patience (brace), Chidinma Chikwem, and Philomena Ologunleko.
The fixtures for the Promotion Playoffs are now set Osun Babes Vs Ibom Angels and Pelican Stars Vs Honey Badgers on Sunday. The winners of these matches will secure promotion to the NWFL Premiership for the 2025 season.
In the Relegation Playoffs same day, the matchups are:Chosen Generation Angels vs. Kaduna Queens and DreamStar Ladies vs. Heroes Queens. These games will determine which teams face relegation from the Championship.
As the league moves into the decisive playoff phase, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the season.
2024 NWFL Championship Matchday 5 Results – September 6
Group A1
Pelican Stars 2-2 Heroes Queens (UJ Esuene Stadium)
Imo Striker Queens 4-2 First Mahi Babes (Saint Patrick College)
Group A2
Kaduna Queens 1-6 Wazbak International (Saint Patrick College)
Gallant Queens 1-1 Osun Babes (UJ Esuene Stadium)
Group B1
Chosen Generation 0-2 Ibom Angels (UJ Esuene Stadium)
Papa Soccer Angels 0-4 Unification FC (Saint Patrick Stadium)
