The 2025 NWFL Nationwide has officially concluded with four outstanding teams sealing promotion to the prestigious NWFL Championship for the 2026 season.

Dreamstar Ladies of Lagos secured an immediate and triumphant return to the second tier as Group A winners. They were joined from the same group by Rangers Women of Enugu, who made history by gaining promotion in their debut campaign.

In Group B, Solo Wonders FC of Akwa Ibom emerged as champions following an impressive run, while Rosaria Victrix of Imo State also secured their spot as runners-up, both achieving promotion in their maiden appearances in the third tier league.

The quartet — Dreamstar Ladies, Rangers Women, Solo Wonders, and Rosaria Victrix, have all earned their places among Nigeria’s emerging forces in women’s football, each finishing in the top two of their respective groups to book their tickets to the country’s second tier, NWFL Championship 2026.

Reflecting on the conclusion of the 2025 women’s football season, which encompassed the NWFL Premiership, Championship, and Nationwide, Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Women Football League, Modupe Shabi, expressed deep satisfaction with the smooth and successful execution across all tiers.

“This 2025 season has been a remarkable journey for the NWFL. From the Premiership through the Championship to the Nationwide, we have witnessed great football, renewed competitiveness, and remarkable stories of resilience and growth across the country,” Shabi stated.

She also commended the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), led by President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, for its unwavering support to women’s football and the continued strengthening of the league system.

Shabi further revealed that preparations are already underway to ensure an early kickoff of the 2025/2026 season, promising new innovations and an even more competitive league structure designed to sustain the progress and excitement across all levels of the NWFL.

“We owe immense gratitude to the NFF President and his board for their backing and vision, which continue to inspire the growth of the women’s game. Our appreciation also goes to the various hosts, clubs, administrators, state FAs, match officials, and the media, every stakeholder who contributed to the success of this season,” she added.

The successful completion of the 2025 NWFL season reaffirms the league’s unrelenting commitment to excellence, development, and inclusivity, as women’s football in Nigeria continues to grow in stature and impact nationwide.

It was a huge weekend for promoted teams in the NPFL in match day 9 of the 2025/2026 season.

Starting from Yenagoa, Bayelsa United continued their poor performance with a slender 2-1 home defeat to Kun Khalifat FC.

In Aba, Warri Wolves shocked Enyimba FC with a 2-1 win in front of their home fans while Barau FC staged a comeback win over Kano Pillars in the Kano derby.

FT Results:

Ikorodu City 2:0 Nasarawa United

Bayelsa United 1:2 Kun Khalifat

Shooting Stars 2:0 Abia Warriors

Niger Tornadoes 4:0 Plateau United

Barau FC 2:1 Kano pillars

El Kanemi Warriors 2:1 Wikki Tourists

Enyimba FC 1:2 Warri Wolves

Kwara United 1:0 Kastina United

Mamelodi Sundowns had a good time in Abeokuta as they thrashed Remo Stars 5-1 in the 2025/26 CAF second preliminary round first leg encounter at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Remo Stars went into the clash hoping to bounce back from their poor domestic form, having lost three of their last four games, including a recent defeat to Katsina United.

However, it was the visitors who took control early in the game, opening the scoring in the 12th minute through Tashreeq Matthews, who fired home a brilliant shot from the edge of the box.

Just before half-time, Namibian striker Peter Shalulile doubled the lead, calmly slotting past goalkeeper Obasa Adebiyi three minutes before the break.

Sundowns continued their dominance after the restart and made it 3–0 in the 61st minute when Khuliso Mudau’s run down the flank set up Portuguese midfielder Miguel Reisinho for an easy tap-in.

Remo Stars tried to fight back, with Samson Olasupo hitting the crossbar in the 72nd minute. But moments later, Arthur Sales extended the South Africans’ lead with a composed finish to make it 4–0.

Olasupo finally got a consolation goal for Remo Stars, but Sundowns sealed the emphatic win in the 85th minute when Tsiki Nsabeleng scored his first goal for the club to complete the 5–1 rout.

The return leg is scheduled for 26 October at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

Remo Stars, who are still chasing their first-ever appearance in the CAF Champions League group stage, now face a tough task in the second leg against the 2023/24 finalists

Rivers United Football Club has expressed gratitude to the Nigeria community in Mozambique for their unwavering support during the team’s CAF Champions League second preliminary round match against Black Bulls on Saturday.

The team’s General Manager, Okey Kpalukwu, speaking on behalf of the club, commended the Nigerians for making the team feel at home throughout the match.

Kpalukwu, who also doubles as a member of NPFL board and Chairman NPFL Clubs Owners Association noted that the support received from the Nigeria community would serve as further motivation for the team to overturn the 1-goal deficit and qualify for the group stage.

The Nigeria Ambassador to Mozambique, Amb. Aminu Abdulhamid, had earlier assured the team of unwavering support, and true to his word, Nigerians in Mozambique turned out in large numbers to cheer the team on.

After the match, Rivers United’s management presented footballs to the Nigeria community as a token of appreciation for their hospitality and support. The team thanked the Nigerians for showcasing the true spirit of hospitality and patriotism.

Rivers United returns to Nigeria trailing 1-0 and will seek to overturn the deficit and advance to the group stage of the competition this weekend.

Nigeria International, Paul Onuachu was on target once more as Turkish side Trabzonspor defeated Çaykur Rizespor 2–1 away from home in their Turkish Süper Lig encounter on Saturday.

The visitors took the lead after just two minutes through Felipe Augusto. Onuachu then doubled the advantage in the 19th minute with a brilliant header.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi reduced the deficit for Rizespor three minutes before the half-hour mark, but the match result was sealed in the first half.

The goal is the Nigeria international’s fifth goal in his last four league outings for the Black Sea Storm.

The 31-year-old has so far registered seven goals and one assist in nine league appearances for the Turkish Cup runners-up this season, who currently sit second on the table after eight matches. He returned to the Turkish top flight on a permanent basis from Southampton following the club’s relegation from the English Premier League.

Rivers United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Black Bulls FC of Mozambique in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie. Moctar Diallo’s strike separated the sides, whipping the ball past Osagie Onisodumeya from close range after a counter-attack in the 50th minute.

The Pride of Rivers team had a positive start in the first half, with Maclyn Biokpo and Ubong Friday coming close to scoring. However, both teams failed to break the deadlock before halftime.

In the second half, Coach Finidi George threw in Timothy Zachariah, Wasiu Falolu, Seyi Oguntayo, and Okon Aniekeme from the bench. Unfortunately, an injury forced Okechukwu Ogbu’s replacement by Temple Emekayi, but it was too little, too late.

Team News
Rivers United fielded a strong side for the first leg, with Okon Aniekeme starting in place of Wisdom Samuel, and there were just three more changes from the side that beat FC Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 the last round as Osagie Onisodumeya continued in goal.

For Black Bulls FC, Delta state-born Rume Akporoh started in midfield and playing against a club from Nigeria was very impressive.

What’s Next?
Rivers United now have a week off before the return leg against Black Bulls FC at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

Charles Mayuku
Media Officer, Rivers United FC
18th October, 2025

The burial arrangements for the departed Oyo FA Secretary, Kehinde Adebayo Ojelowo has been announced by the family.

Born on January 20, 1967, and called to eternal rest on October 17, 2025, after a brief illness at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Mr. Ojelowo’s life was one marked by passion, service, and excellence.

According to information made available to OyoSportsNews, the Lying-in-State and Christian Wake Keep will take place on October 30, while the final burial will be held on October 31 at his Ibadan residence, where he will be laid to rest among loved ones and well-wishers.

OyoSportsNews reports saying: “Mr. Ojelowo was an exceptional sports administrator, serving meritoriously as Secretary of the Oyo State Football Association and Director of Organization at the Oyo State Sports Council. His leadership, humility, and unwavering commitment to the growth of sports; particularly football; in Oyo State and across Nigeria, earned him admiration and respect from colleagues and athletes alike.

“He was more than an administrator; he was a mentor, motivator, and symbol of dedication; a man whose love for sports was matched only by his integrity and humanity.

“Though he is gone, the footprints he left behind will continue to inspire generations within the Oyo sporting family and beyond.”