Honey Badgers, a football team based in Benue State, made history by earning their first ever promotion to the Nigeria Women Football League NWFL Premiership. They achieved this with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Pelican Stars at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar. The decisive moment came in the second half when Hellen Daniel scored the only goal of the match, securing a monumental achievement for the team.
The game began energetically, with the Honey Badgers narrowly missing an early chance to take the lead. Their goalkeeper, Stella Okereke, made a crucial save to keep the Pelican Stars from scoring. Despite the home team’s efforts, the Badgers maintained a strong defence throughout the first half.
The breakthrough came in the 67th minute, as Daniel’s strike found the back of the net, giving Honey Badgers the lead. Despite pressure from Pelican Stars to equalize, the Honey Badgers secured the victory. This marks the first time the team will compete in Nigeria’s top-flight women’s football league.
In addition to Honey Badgers, Ibom Angels secured promotion after a 2-0 win over Osun Babes. Head coach Bashiru Liadi, who previously led Osun Babes to promotion, has again demonstrated his skill by guiding Honey Badgers to this remarkable achievement.
Editorial
Honey Badgers’ historic promotion to the NWFL Premiership is a testament to perseverance, dedication, and strategic leadership. Under the guidance of coach Bashiru Liadi, the team has made impressive strides, overcoming tough competition to secure a place in Nigeria’s top tier women’s football league.
The Badgers’ journey reflects the spirit of determination that defines the best in sports. With their promotion, they have demonstrated that success comes not just from talent but from hard work, teamwork, and tactical planning. Their victory against Pelican Stars was hard earned, and their defence, led by goalkeeper Stella Okereke, was crucial in maintaining their clean sheet.
What stands out most is that this promotion was the result of collective effort. From Daniel’s match winning goal to the defensive resilience shown by the team, every player contributed to this historic moment. Moving forward, the Honey Badgers will need to maintain this level of intensity and focus as they compete in the NWFL Premiership.
With coach Bashiru Liadi’s experience and a team brimming with potential, the Honey Badgers’ future looks bright. Their success serves as an inspiration to other clubs striving for excellence in Nigerian football.
Did You Know?
- The Nigeria Women’s Football League NWFL Premiership is the highest level of women’s football in Nigeria.
- Honey Badgers’ promotion marks the first time the team has competed in the NWFL Premiership.
- Pelican Stars, who were defeated by Honey Badgers, are one of the oldest women’s football clubs in Nigeria.
- The UJ Esuene Stadium, where the match took place, is located in Calabar and is a popular venue for both football and athletics.
- Bashiru Liadi, the head coach of Honey Badgers, previously guided Osun Babes to promotion in the NWFL.