Naija Ratels, Robo Queens in Final-Day Duel for Super Six Slot

The final matchday of the 2024/25 NWFL Premiership regular season is set to deliver intense drama as Naija Ratels and FC Robo Queens vie for the last available spot in the prestigious Super Six playoffs. With five teams Edo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Remo Stars Ladies, Bayelsa Queens, and Rivers Angels already through, the sixth ticket hangs in the balance.

Naija Ratels hold the advantage heading into Matchday 14. The Abuja-based team, currently third in Group A with 22 points, need only a draw against table-toppers Bayelsa Queens to confirm their second-ever playoff appearance. Their task, however, is daunting. Bayelsa Queens have been in imperious form and are seeking to finish the regular season unbeaten.

Meanwhile, FC Robo Queens face a far more complicated path. Playing Delta Queens at the Legacy Pitch in Lagos, the ‘Landladies’ must not only win convincingly but also hope Naija Ratels falter at home. A win or draw for the Abuja side would instantly end Robo’s playoff hopes, regardless of their result. Adding to the pressure is Robo’s dismal record against Delta Queens seven games without a win.

Delta Queens, already eliminated from playoff contention, will be playing for pride, while Bayelsa Queens are chasing a perfect campaign. With so much at stake and such slim margins, the final day promises fireworks from Abuja to Lagos.

Editorial

We see in this final day of NWFL action not just the end of a season but a defining moment for the future of Nigerian women’s football. The tension, the stakes, and the stories brewing between Naija Ratels and FC Robo Queens embody everything that a competitive league should be.

Naija Ratels have their fate in their hands. That kind of control is both empowering and nerve-wracking. Their challenge against an unbeaten Bayelsa Queens is more than a fixture it’s a test of mentality. If Ratels want to be taken seriously as contenders, they must show that they can stand toe-to-toe with the league’s elite and not just chase qualification, but command it.

For FC Robo Queens, this is the epitome of a long-shot scenario. Needing a win against a bogey team and relying on another result is a painful position to be in. Yet, football is built on such moments where belief meets desperation. Win or lose, this is the kind of pressure that forges future champions.

What excites us most is how far the NWFL has come. The league is no longer predictable. It has become a landscape of stories, rivalries, and last-day battles. This isn’t just about who qualifies it’s about who has the mentality to rise when it matters most.

Whatever the outcome, this final matchday will be remembered not just for the football, but for what it symbolises a new era of competition, excellence, and drama in Nigerian women’s football.

Did You Know?

1. FC Robo Queens were the club that nurtured Super Falcons and Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala before her move to Europe.
2. The NWFL Super Six format was introduced to provide a playoff-style climax to the league, increasing visibility and competition.
3. Bayelsa Queens have won the NWFL title three times and are considered one of the most consistent teams in Nigerian women’s football.
4. Naija Ratels made their debut in the NWFL Premiership in 2022 and qualified for the Super Six in their first season.
5. The Legacy Pitch in Lagos, where FC Robo host their games, is part of the National Stadium complex and has hosted several elite women’s football fixtures.