NWFL Super Six: Rivers Angels’ Title Hopes Over

Seven-time champions Rivers Angels have had a rather rough start to their 2025 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Super Six campaign and their chances of getting an eighth title look grim.

Rivers Angels – like all teams – has played three games so far in the championship but they have failed to win any; losing two and drawing one.

The two losses came against Bayelsa Queens (1-0) and Nasarawa Amazons (2-1) while the draw was against Defending champions Edo Queens (1-1).

The Jewels of Rivers, who had a stellar regular season, winning 10 games, drawing two and losing just two which saw them finish second on the log, began their campaign with a crunchy tie against South-South rivals Bayelsa Queens.

The game kicked off with Rivers Angels having more possession but it amounted to nothing as Bayelsa Queens broke the deadlock through Olabiyi Alaba with a stunning strike from outside the box in the 32nd minute.

13 minutes later, Rivers Angels almost equalised from a goal-mouth scramble but it was Bayelsa Queens Captain, Blessing Abiola, who ensured her side retained their lead with a goal-line clearance.

In the 51st minute, Bayelsa Queens goalkeeper, Monle Omini, saved Ifeoma Ikenokwalu’s penalty kick to deny Rivers Angels an equaliser. It was Monle Omini’s second saved penalty against Rivers Angels this season.

The first came during Matchday five in the regular season where she saved Aminat Folorunsho’s kick in the 53rd minute at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium Port Harcourt to secure a point for her team – that tie ended 1-1.

Both sides continued to ask questions but the game ended 1-0 in favour of Bayelsa Queens.

In the second game, the Port Harcourt-based side took on holders Edo Queens and could only salvage a draw through an own goal scored by Edo Queens’ Valentina Uroko.

With just a point from a possible six, Rivers Angels were faced with an uphill task of playing against high-flying Nasarawa Amazons and they could not get the Job done.

Janet Akekoromowei put the Solid Babes ahead in the 24th and doubled her side’s lead in the 30th, taking her goal tally to 13.

Catherine Kenneth then pulled one back for the Jewels of Rivers in the 79th minute but with only about 11 minutes left on the clock, her side could not find the equaliser, and her goal was not enough to get the Jewels of Rivers to the win column.

Rivers Angels’ start so far leaves them in fifth place and out of title contention.

With just two games left to play against Remo Stars Ladies and Naija Ratels, even maximum points from both fixtures would be insufficient to secure the title, as they would have accumulated only seven points which the league leaders are currently on.

Bayelsa Queens and Nasarawa Amazons currently sit top of the log with 7 points-a-piece and are in the strongest position to win the chip, with Remo Stars Ladies and Edo Queens in third and fourth with six and four points respectively.