2024/2025 NWFL reaches crescendo, as teams battle for Super Six ticket

Posted : 29 April 2025

As the curtain prepares to fall on the 2024/25 NWFL Premiership regular season, high drama is expected across Nigeria.

While five teams have already secured their places in the highly anticipated Super Six playoffs, the race for the final spot — and the fight to avoid relegation — will be decided in a tense final round of fixtures on Matchday 14.

At the heart of the battle for the sixth and final playoff spot are two teams: Naija Ratels and FC Robo Queens.

Both teams know that destiny may not entirely be in their hands, especially with tough opponents standing in their way.

Meanwhile, at the foot of the table, Heartland Queens and Confluence Queens are scrambling to avoid relegation, adding even more weight to what will be a season-defining weekend.

Group A Preview
Edo Queens vs Confluence Queens – Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

Edo Queens may have had their unbeaten streak snapped last week, but the reigning champions enter Matchday 14 with their playoff ticket secured.

With 10 wins, two draws, and just one loss this season, the Queens from Benin remain one of the strongest title contenders heading into the postseason.

Confluence Queens, however, have everything to play for. Languishing near the bottom, they must not only pull off a near-impossible win in Benin, a venue where few have succeeded, but also hope that Heartland Queens falter at home.

It’s a daunting task, especially against a side that has beaten them five times in their last eight meetings.

A victory for the Kogi-based side could still mean survival, but the odds are stacked against them unless results elsewhere go their way.

Ekiti Queens vs Abia Angels – Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti.

Two sides with little more than pride to play for will face off in Ado-Ekiti.

Ekiti Queens, winless in eight straight games, will be desperate to end the season on a positive note and avoid finishing at the bottom of the table.

Abia Angels, who saw their playoff hopes end last week in a 2–2 draw with Remo Stars Ladies, have shown significant growth since their opening day 5–0 defeat to Edo Queens.

With seven wins under their belt this season, Coach Adanna Nwaneri’s side can look ahead with optimism, but a final win on the road would add a welcome shine to their campaign.

The Angels won the reverse fixture 1–0 and will fancy their chances again.

Heartland Queens vs Nasarawa Amazons – Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri

Heartland Queens are facing a must-win situation to avoid relegation, a far cry from their 2023/24 campaign, which saw them qualify for the playoffs for the first time in history.

Obi Ogbala’s side has struggled all season, and they now sit on the brink of returning to the second tier unless they can take all three points at home.

Their opponents, Nasarawa Amazons, are flying high, currently on a six-match unbeaten streak. Having already secured a playoff place, the Solid Babes will look to keep their momentum going ahead of the Super Six.

Statistically, Nasarawa Amazons have had the edge in this fixture, with two wins and two draws in their last four matchups. Heartland must find a way to break that trend or face the prospect of relegation.

Remo Stars Ladies vs Dannaz Ladies – Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.

This all-Southwest derby is one of the few fixtures with no bearing on either the playoffs or relegation, but it still holds significance for both teams looking to end on a high.

Remo Stars Ladies, in only their second season in the top flight, have been one of the league’s most improved sides.

With eight wins — already surpassing last season’s total — they’ll aim to complete a double over Dannaz Ladies, whom they beat 2–0 in Lagos earlier this season.

Dannaz, meanwhile, finally ended a 10-match winless run with a win over Heartland Queens last week.

They’ll hope to build on that result, but they’ll need to be at their best to match Remo’s intensity in Ikenne.

Group B Preview
Rivers Angels vs Benue Queens – Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt.

A mismatch on paper, this fixture pits one of the NWFL’s elite teams against a side already condemned to relegation.

Rivers Angels, with nine wins and a playoff spot secured, will aim to sharpen their edge ahead of the Super Six after a narrow 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa Queens last week.

Benue Queens have had a season to forget. With just one win and 10 losses, their return to the second tier was confirmed weeks ago.

Still, they’ll hope to leave the top flight with their heads held high and maybe even spring a surprise.

Rivers Angels won the reverse fixture 2–0 and are heavily favored to complete the double.

Adamawa Queens vs Ibom Angels – Numan Township Stadium, Adamawa

Another dead-rubber clash, but a competitive one nonetheless. Both Adamawa Queens and Ibom Angels have already guaranteed their places in next season’s top flight, and this match offers a final opportunity to test tactics and player combinations.

The two teams have enjoyed evenly matched encounters in recent years. Ibom Angels won the reverse fixture 3–1 in Uyo, but Adamawa have never lost to them at home. Expect a balanced, open contest.

Naija Ratels vs Bayelsa Queens – Area 3 Stadium, Abuja.

This is arguably the biggest match of the weekend. Naija Ratels are currently sixth and control their playoff fate — all they need is a draw against Bayelsa Queens to clinch their second-ever Super Six spot.

But standing in their way is a formidable opponent: the only unbeaten team in the league.

Bayelsa Queens, led by a well-drilled, experienced squad, have dominated the Ratels in recent meetings.

They won the reverse fixture 2–1 and are looking to complete an unbeaten regular season — a rare feat in the league.

Naija Ratels, who made the playoffs in 2022 during their top-flight debut, know that a loss could see FC Robo Queens leapfrog them — if the Lagos side beats Delta Queens.

FC Robo Queens vs Delta Queens – Legacy Pitch, Lagos.

FC Robo Queens face a make-or-break game at home. Only a win will keep their playoff hopes alive, and even that may not be enough unless Naija Ratels lose in Abuja.

However, their record against Delta Queens offers little optimism.

Robo Queens haven’t beaten Delta in their last seven meetings, with three losses and four draws.

Coach Emmanuel Osahon will need his side to break that jinx and then hope for help from Bayelsa Queens. If the stars align, the Lagos Landladies could snatch the final playoff spot in dramatic fashion.

2024/2025 NWFL reaches crescendo, as teams battle for Super Six ticket

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