Eight-time NWFL Premiership winners Pelican Stars and Imo Striker Queens have secured promotion to Nigeria’s top-flight women’s league after winning their respective NWFL Championship play-off matches, www.aclsports.com reports.
Pelican Stars secured their return to the NWFL Premiership after defeating DreamStar Ladies 1-0, with Blessing Ayila striking 10 minutes into stoppage time to secure victory at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
The Calabar-based side had enjoyed a dominant Championship campaign before the play-off, making full use of their experience and home advantage by winning all three of their Group B matches against Ikukuoma Queens, Gallant Queens and Moje Queens to finish with a maximum nine points.
Imo Striker Queens also earned promotion after defeating Rangers Women FC 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw in regulation time.
The Owerri-based side kept their composure in the shootout, converting all five of their penalties to secure their place in the NWFL Premiership.
Imo Striker Queens had been the standout team in the Championship before the play-offs, maintaining a perfect record in Group D.
They won all three matches against Chosen Generation Angels, Kwara Ladies and Ghetto Tigers, scoring 10 goals without conceding a single goal to underline their promotion credentials.
Meanwhile, Fortress Ladies retained their NWFL Championship status after defeating Chosen Generation Angels 4-1 in the relegation play-off.
Favour Enodunwenben opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Omosefe Ugbo doubled the advantage in the 57th minute.
Enodunwenben completed her hat-trick with goals in the 65th and 71st minutes, while Mary Adekunle scored a consolation goal for Chosen Generation Angels in the 78th minute.
Gallant Queens also avoided relegation after defeating First Mahi Babes 1-0, with Hope Jeremiah scoring the decisive goal in the 29th minute.
Pelican Stars and Imo Striker Queens will now compete in the NWFL Premiership next season, while Chosen Generation Angels and First Mahi Babes will drop to the NWFL Nationwide League.
