Sunshine Queens Return to NWFL After Flawless Campaign

In a powerful statement of resilience and determination, Sunshine Queens have secured their promotion back to the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) after a dominant campaign in the 2025 NWFL Championship. The Owena Whales, who were relegated to the second-tier league in the 2023/24 season, clinched their return with a perfect record in the group stage, a testament to the hard work and resolve of the team and its technical crew. The promotion is not just a triumph for the team but a moment of immense relief and jubilation for their loyal fans in Akure and across Ondo State, who had anxiously awaited their return to the elite league.

The journey back to the top was a remarkable one for the Akure-based club. After their relegation, the team was rebuilt with a renewed focus on returning to the top flight immediately. Their mission began at the 2025 Championship, a tournament featuring 17 teams competing for four promotion spots to the NWFL Premiership. Sunshine Queens were drawn in Group A2, and from their first kick of the tournament, they showed their superiority. They amassed an impressive nine points from three matches, scoring four goals and conceding none, a perfect record that saw them finish top of their group. Their decisive victory came in the final group match against Kwara Ladies, a 1-0 win that sealed their promotion and concluded their flawless campaign in style. The victory was a fitting climax to a journey built on discipline and tactical superiority, traits that were evident throughout the tournament.

The success of the team is not just a reflection of their current form but also of the rich history of the club. Sunshine Queens are not a newly formed side but a team with a strong pedigree in Nigerian women’s football. They were once a formidable force in the top flight, even winning the prestigious Nigerian Women’s Cup in 2015, an achievement that cemented their place among the country’s elite women’s clubs. The club’s relegation was a difficult moment for everyone involved, but it served as a powerful motivator. Captain Lolade Akintunde, a key figure in the team, attributed their success to the collective effort of the players and staff. “The NWFL qualification is a reward for hard work,” Akintunde told the club’s media, a quote that encapsulates the spirit of the team. Her leadership, both on and off the pitch, was instrumental in guiding the team through the challenging Championship and ensuring they remained focused on their primary goal.

The promotion of Sunshine Queens is a significant development for the entire NWFL, as it brings back a storied team with a passionate fanbase. The return to the elite league means the club will once again compete with giants like Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, and Nasarawa Amazons, bringing a higher level of competition and excitement to the league. The promotion also comes with financial and competitive benefits for the team, as they will have access to better resources and exposure. While the Sunshine Queens secured their spot, other teams also clinched promotion in their respective groups. Teams like Castmog Ladies, Ahudiyannem Queens, and Imo Striker Queens also successfully navigated their way through the championship to join Sunshine Queens in the NWFL Premiership. This influx of new talent and energy promises to make the upcoming season of the NWFL a thrilling and highly competitive one. For Sunshine Queens, the celebrations will be short-lived, as the team must now prepare for the challenges of competing at the highest level of Nigerian women’s football. The hard work, as the captain rightly noted, has paid off, but a new, tougher challenge now awaits them in the elite league. The future of the club is bright, and their return is a moment to be cherished for all involved in Nigerian women’s football.