Sports
Honey Badgers Make Historic NWFL Premiership Debut, Ibom Angels Secure Return
Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels have secured promotion to the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership following their victories in the NWFL Championship playoff matches held on Sunday at UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Cross River State.
The Benue State-based Honey Badgers made history with a 1-0 win over Pelican Stars, which earned them their first-ever promotion to the country’s top-flight.
ALSO READ: NWFL Lauds Edo Queens’ Semifinal Berth In CAF Women’s Champions League Qualifiers
A second-half goal from Hellen Daniel proved to be the difference for Honey Badgers, who displayed resilience and composure throughout the match. Both teams started brightly, with the Badgers missing an early chance to take the lead. Moments later, their goalkeeper Stella Okereke made a crucial save to deny Pelican Stars an opening goal.
The hosts pressed hard in search of the opener, but Honey Badgers’ defense held firm. The breakthrough came in the 67th minute when Daniel converted a chance to give the visitors the lead. Despite relentless support from the home crowd, Pelican Stars couldn’t find an equalizer as the Badgers held on for the win.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Honey Badgers, who would now be preparing to make their debut in the NWFL Premiership.
The team will join Ibom Angels, who also earned promotion earlier in the day with a 2-0 win over Osun Babes in another playoff match.
The Ibom Angels dominated their match against Osun Babes, scoring through Abasiofon Uwah and Ijeoma Onweagba. Uwah gave the Uyo-based side an early lead in the 10th minute, while Onuma doubled the advantage in the 61st minute with a long-range effort. Osun Babes earned a penalty late in the game, but Kafayat Bashiru missed the spot-kick.
The victory sees Ibom Angels return to the NWFL Premiership just a season after their relegation in 2021.
This marks the second consecutive season in which Ibom Angels have secured immediate promotion back to the topflight, showcasing their resilience and strong team spirit.
Meanwhile, Chosen Generation Angels and Heroes Queens retained their NWFL Championship status after winning their respective relegation playoff matches.
Chosen Generation Angels narrowly edged Kaduna Queens 1-0, with Kafayat Anifowoshe scoring the only goal in the 35th minute. Kaduna Queens were relegated to the third tier despite a strong second-half showing.
Heroes Queens defeated DreamStar FC Ladies 1-0 in the Lagos derby to maintain their place in the NWFL Championship. Ebube Umejiaku scored the decisive goal in the 55th minute, condemning Dreamstar to relegation.
The loss marked the end of Dreamstar Ladies’ three-year stint in the second tier after their relegation from the Premiership in 2021.
With the conclusion of the NWFL playoffs, Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels are set to compete in the 2024/2025 NWFL Premiership season, while Chosen Generation Angels and Heroes Queens will continue in the NWFL Championship. Kaduna Queens and DreamStar FC Ladies will face the challenge of rebuilding in the third tier.
Chairman, NWFL, Nkechi Obi congratulated Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels on their promotion to the elite league, noting, “Their hard work and determination have paid off.” She also commiserated with Osun Babes and Pelican Stars, acknowledging their efforts throughout the season.
Obi further expressed her gratitude to the Cross River State government for successfully hosting the 2024 NWFL Championship, emphasizing, “This event plays a vital role in promoting women’s football in Nigeria.”
Spain’s celebrations after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup were overshadowed by tragedy after a 13-year-old boy died and several others were injured when a fountain collapsed during jubilant scenes in the western Spanish town of Ciudad Rodrigo.
The heartbreaking incident occurred shortly after Spain secured a historic 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, ending a 16-year wait for the country’s second global football title.
RELATED NEWS: BREAKING: Spain Dethrone Argentina to Win 2026 FIFA World Cup
According to local authorities, emergency services received multiple distress calls at around 12:30 a.m. local time after a fountain packed with celebrating fans suddenly collapsed.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Ciudad Rodrigo City Hall confirmed the teenager’s death and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
“The city hall of Ciudad Rodrigo expresses its sadness and presents its condolences for the death of a boy of 13.”
The municipality described the incident as a devastating turn of events, saying: “What should have been a celebration of Spain’s team in the football World Cup turned into tragedy.”
Emergency services also confirmed that another youth was injured in the collapse, while several others sustained injuries as rescue teams rushed to the scene.
Local media reported that the fountain gave way under the weight of dozens of fans who had climbed onto the structure to celebrate Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The fatal accident cast a somber mood over celebrations across the football-loving nation, with many expressing grief just hours after Spain’s memorable victory on the world stage.
Spain have been crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating defending champions Argentina in a thrilling final to reclaim football’s biggest prize.
La Roja delivered a composed and determined performance on the grandest stage, overcoming the South American giants to secure their second FIFA World Cup title and their first since their historic triumph in 2010.
The highly anticipated showdown lived up to expectations as both teams battled fiercely for global supremacy.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: England Crush France 6-4 to Clinch World Cup Bronze
However, Spain’s tactical discipline, attacking quality, and defensive resilience proved decisive as they ended Argentina’s reign as world champions.
Spain’s road to glory included impressive victories over some of the tournament’s strongest sides, underlining their dominance throughout the competition.
The triumph also marks the culmination of a remarkable resurgence led by a talented new generation of stars, who have restored Spain to the pinnacle of world football.
For Argentina, the defeat ends their hopes of retaining the World Cup crown, despite another spirited campaign that saw them reach a second consecutive final.
Spain’s victory cements their place among football’s elite once again, bringing the 2026 FIFA World Cup to a memorable conclusion.
England ended their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on a high after defeating France 6-4 in a pulsating third-place playoff at Miami Stadium on Saturday to secure the bronze medal.
Thomas Tuchel’s men produced an electric attacking display, storming into a commanding four-goal lead before France launched a spirited comeback.
SEE ALSO: FIFA Makes Historic Change as World Cup Winners to Receive Championship Rings
Declan Rice opened the scoring early, while Ezri Konsa doubled England’s advantage. Bukayo Saka then stole the show with a first-half brace as the Three Lions headed into the break with complete control of the contest.
France responded strongly after halftime, with captain Kylian Mbappé leading the charge by scoring twice.
Bradley Barcola also found the net to reduce the deficit and briefly raise hopes of an unlikely comeback for Les Bleus.
However, England had the final say as Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time to seal a thrilling 5-3 victory and confirm England’s third-place finish at the tournament.
The victory marked a fitting response to England’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina and secured the nation’s best World Cup finish since 1966.
France, meanwhile, ended the tournament in fourth place after suffering back-to-back defeats in the knockout stage.
Attention now shifts to Sunday’s World Cup final, where Spain will battle defending champions Argentina for football’s biggest prize.
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