Bayelsa Queens captain, Blessing Illivieda, says the defending champions of the Nigeria Women Football League Premiership (NWFL) will take every game as a cup final and are under no pressure as they prepare for the new season, www.aclsports.com reports.
In an exclusive chat with ACLSports, Illivieda reflected on last season, lessons learned from the Super Falcons, the growth of the league, and Bayelsa Queens’ mission to defend their crown in 2025/2026.
Asked how the team feels going into the season as champions, she said: “No, there’s no pressure at all. We go into the new season to do what we know how to do best. We are just here to play; we take every game as it comes. It’s what we’ve been doing, so we’re just going to add more to it.”
She added that respect for every opponent remains crucial. “You don’t look down on any team. The structure of the NWFL is changing; we have new recruits and every other team has theirs as well. So when you’re facing your opponents, you know you are going for a big challenge. We are taking every game as a cup final… our mindset is still to hold on to the title.”
Reflecting on missing out on the CAF Women’s Champions League after losing to ASEC Mimosas in the WAFU B qualifiers, she said:
“It’s so disappointing because there’s an adage that says, ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ Yes, the country expected much, but in football sometimes you lose, sometimes you win. We’ve learned from our loss and we’re ready to take the bull by the horn again.”
Illivieda admitted the team could have done more in the final. “ASEC Mimosas won us at the final but I believe the fault is from us. We didn’t do more to win it… whenever we are going into a game, it’s not over until it’s over.”
On lessons learned: “For a team to win, you need to score as many goals as possible… every game, we need to score more. If we had scored our chances at the WAFU finals, we would have gone to the CAF Champions League. Utilise your opportunities as soon as you get them.”
Illivieda also spoke about her experience with the Super Falcons during the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers. “You’re not too young, you’re not too big to achieve things. Being around big players like the captain Rash, our legend Asisat Oshoala, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, there’s no feat you can’t achieve.”
She brought that confidence back to Bayelsa Queens. “When I got back to the club, I told my team that we can do it if we want to do it. No matter the obstacles… as a team, yes, we can.”
On new signings, she said: “The team isn’t built around one person; everybody can play, and this is thanks to Coach Whyte Ogbonda and the technical bench. The new players know the task ahead and they’re ready to give their all.”
Illivieda also addressed player departures: “Good players leaving doesn’t mean the league is dying… we have thousands of talents out there. If the older ones don’t leave, the younger ones might not be seen.” She praised NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, saying: “She’s been the backbone and pillar of the NWFL.”
She expects strong competition this season. “Every team coming to play Bayelsa Queens is coming to challenge. At the end of 90 minutes, we will differentiate a girl and a woman.”
Bayelsa Queens open their title defence at home to Edo Queens on Wednesday, 26 November 2025.
