Osun Babes and Sunshine Queens Sunk as NWFL Regular Season Ends; Underdogs Dannaz Ladies Pull Off Great Escape to Stay in the Big Leagues

The “technical trenches” of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) claimed two of its most historic names on Wednesday as the 2025/2026 Premiership regular season came to a dramatic and tearful conclusion. While the giants at the top prepared for the Super Six, the South-West region was left reeling as both Sunshine Queens and Osun Babes were officially demoted to the second tier.

In Akure, the atmosphere was bittersweet. Sunshine Queens did exactly what was asked of them on the pitch, securing a comfortable 2–0 win over Confluence Queens thanks to strikes from Lolade Akintunde and Bunmi Adenuga. However, as the final whistles blew across other centers, the realization set in that their “digital-age” comeback had started far too late. The Akure-based side fell victim to the mathematics of a season plagued by early-round inconsistencies.

The story was even more grim for Osun Babes. Traveling to Asaba with a “win or bust” mandate, the “Omoluabi Queens” were dismantled 3–0 by a clinical Delta Queens side. Titilayo Aweda’s double strike essentially acted as the final nail in the coffin, sending one of the league’s most resilient teams down to the Championship for the first time in years.

While there was mourning in Akure and Oshogbo, there was a party in Ikenne. Dannaz Ladies, the season’s “survival specialists,” produced a performance for the ages. In a five-goal thriller against Remo Stars Ladies, they fought back from an early deficit to win 3–2. That victory didn’t just earn them three points; it acted as a “technical rescue” for their Premiership status, leaving Sunshine Queens just one point short of safety.

As the dust settles on the regular season, the focus now shifts to the “Super Six” battle for the trophy. With Bayelsa Queens and Edo Queens looking unstoppable, and Atume Doosuur currently in the form of her life with 12 goals, the championship playoffs promise to be a high-stakes showdown. But for the relegated trio of Confluence, Osun, and Sunshine, the long road to redemption begins in the lower divisions, far from the bright lights of the Premiership.