Bayelsa Queens head coach Whyte Ogbonda has named a 25-player provisional squad ahead of the WAFU Zone B Championship 2025 in Côte d’Ivoire. Among those selected are Super Falcons invitee Blessing Ilivieda, defender Linda Jiwuaku and forward Janet Akekoromowei, rounding out a squad rich in talent and ambition.
The roster also features goalkeeper Monle Omini alongside Agatha Thompson and Sylvia Echefu. The defensive line includes Florence Alexander, Jennifer Oliver, Otega Okoko, Semilore Bumi, Amblessed Ogbonnaya, Sefiat Idris and Chinyere Iheoma. Midfield options are Mary Aderemi, Vera Samuel, Dooshima Tarnum, Bankole Sofiat, Chiamaka Ezekwugo and Kafayat Mafisere. Frontline attackers consist of Janet Akekoromowei, Shakirat Moshood, Emem Essien, Lucky Mary, Alaba Olabiyi, Ifeanyi Kindness and Delight Issac.
Côte d’Ivoire will host the tournament from 9 to 24 August, with Bayelsa Queens aiming to secure their second WAFU Zone B title after lifting the trophy in 2022. The competition promises to be key for qualification to the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Editorial
We recognise Bayelsa Queens’ announcement of a 25-woman squad as a bold step towards regional dominance. Including established faces like Blessing Ilivieda and rising talents across all lines signals a team ready to defend its WAFU crown.
We see balance at play. The mixture of experience in defence and goal, midfield creativity, and pacey forwards shows a squad built for both solidity and flair. That says a lot about Whyte Ogbonda’s thoughtful selection.We appreciate the strategic timing; announcing early gives the team crucial weeks to gel before Côte d’Ivoire hosts the tournament from 9 to 24 August. That preparation window is vital for tactical cohesion, fitness, and morale.
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We believe this setup is more than a squad sheet—it’s a statement of intent. Bayelsa Queens are not just participating; they’re targeting a return to the top. Past success in 2022 was not a one-off, and this group seems determined to reaffirm that status.
We feel that if focus, teamwork and confidence hold, this could be their moment to shine anew. The regional title may open the door to continental competition, so this squad represents a crucial bridge between ambition and achievement.
Did You Know?
- Bayelsa Queens are six-time Nigeria Women Premier League champions, including recent victories in 2024–25.
- They became the first Nigerian women’s club to win a WAFU Zone B title in 2022.
- Midfielder Mary Aderemi featured in Nigeria’s most recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations squad.
- The WAFU Zone B tournament serves as a qualifier for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
- Bayelsa Queens play home games at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, with capacity for around 5,000 fans.
