Rangers Women Lead the Charge as DreamStars, Rosaria Victrix & Solo Wonders Storm the NWFL Championship

Graphics by NWFL

The 2025 NWFL Nationwide Playoffs ended in style, with Rangers Women FC (Enugu State) leading a new generation of women’s football champions. Alongside DreamStars Ladies FC (Lagos State), Rosaria Victrix FC (Imo State), and Solo Wonders FC (Akwa Ibom State), the quartet sealed promotion to the NWFL Championship, marking a new era of excellence in Nigerian women’s football.

The competition brought together some of the finest emerging clubs in the country.

Group A featured Osklean FC (Rivers State), Rangers Women FC (Enugu State), Plateau Queens FC (Plateau State), DreamStars Ladies FC (Lagos State), and C2E Sports Academy (Abia State).

Group B had Sporting Angels FC (Rivers State), Alexander Queens FC (Enugu State), Rosaria Victrix FC (Imo State), NAF Queens FC (Abuja), and Solo Wonders FC (Akwa Ibom State).

After several thrilling encounters, four teams rose above the rest, Rangers Women, DreamStars, Rosaria Victrix, and Solo Wonders, each securing their Championship tickets through passion, discipline, and teamwork.

For Rangers Women FC, this wasn’t just promotion,  it was history. The Enugu-based side, led by Coach Favour Aneke, went unbeaten through the entire campaign with three wins and one draw, topping Group A with 10 points, followed by Dream Stars Ladies which also finish the group with unbeaten record but finished second below Enugu Women with goal difference

When asked how he felt after sealing promotion, Coach Aneke summed it up in one word:

> “Fulfilled.”

He attributed the success not just to tactics, but to togetherness.

> “Teamwork did it. The girls knew what they wanted and they were willing to get it done. They even had their own meetings, led by the captain, where they asked me to excuse them — and I did. That’s leadership.”

Rangers Women’s determination showed from day one.

> “The first match against OSKLEAN FC was everything,” Aneke said. “If you want to win, start from the first step. To the girls, every match was a final.”

That fighting mentality carried them through tough games, especially when DreamStars momentarily handed their qualification edge to Plateau Queens.

> “DreamStars handed our ticket to Plateau, and we had to get it back. The girls got it back with a lone goal,” he recalled.

Behind Rangers Women’s impressive campaign is Coach Aneke’s unique football system, “Press-Play.”

> “Jose is known for character, Pep for tactics, and Klopp for team bond. My game philosophy emanates from these three coaches,” he explained. “‘Press-Play’ is a mirror of those qualities — tactical unity with a touch of crazy attitude. The girls understood it perfectly.”

With humility, he added,

> “Trust me, I practically did nothing or less here in Abuja. The girls did everything.”

To the coach, this victory means more than football, it’s about hope and representation.

> “It means hope for every sports-loving girl child in Enugu, the South East, and the nation at large,” he said. “We’ve been doing a silent campaign in Enugu for the past three years”

He shared how the campaign began during men’s matches at The Cathedral, where the girls sought recognition.

> “They asked for a chance during Rangers male matches, and the fans backed us up, we got our chance.”

Despite the weight of the legendary Rangers name, Aneke saw no pressure, only purpose.

> “An opportunity to live a legacy can’t be tagged as pressure. We all understood that, the coaching crew, the players. We played four finals, not a group stage.”

For him, this moment etches Rangers Women into history.

> “Today, we inscribed our names in the Rangers history book as the first female team since Rangers was formed in 1970. That’s legacy.”

When asked about standout players, Coach Aneke said,

> “Funny enough, Sunday Chiamaka, my left wing-back, totally proved me wrong. I always challenged her performance and game intelligence, and she delivered when it mattered.”

Yet, he emphasized that in Rangers, there are no individuals above the team.

> “In Rangers, there is no special player. It’s about everybody. We don’t have Ronaldo or Messi. THIS IS RANGERS.”

With promotion secured, Rangers Women are already looking ahead.

> “I have a young, vibrant team. I just have to source and add some experienced legs,” the coach said.

His next goal is simple and direct:

> “Promotion.”

And his personal lesson from this campaign?

> “Be stubborn, otherwise you won’t get a chance.”

Coach Aneke praised the Enugu State leadership and club management for their support.

> “We have a working governor and first lady. My GM, Amobi, knows his onions. I trust his capacity, he knows what’s needful. I don’t need to remind him.”

He also saluted the fans.

> “No fans, no football. The game belongs to them. Win or learn, we keep them updated.”

His closing message was short but powerful:

> “Stay tuned.”

The Promoted Four: NWFL Nationwide 2025

Club                                State         Group

Rangers Women FC        Enugu         Group A

DreamStars Ladies FC    Lagos         Group A

Rosaria Victrix FC         Imo                 Group B

Solo Wonders FC     Akwa Ibom Group B

The promotion of Rangers Women FC, DreamStars Ladies, Rosaria Victrix, and Solo Wonders represents more than just sporting success, it’s a statement that women’s football in Nigeria is rising fast from the grassroots.

For Coach Favour Aneke, it’s the dawn of a new journey built on unity, hunger, and legacy.

> “A hungry man doesn’t need confidence to eat,” he said. “These girls are hungry, they can’t lose confidence as long as they remain hungry.”

The future, it seems, belongs to the fearless.