Sunshine Queens, Sunshine Stars mirror each other's fall
It was a bittersweet evening in Akure as Sunshine Queens bowed out of the Nigeria Women Football League despite ending their campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over Confluence Queens at the Ondo State Sports Complex.
The result, however, proved insufficient to preserve their top flight status, as events elsewhere confirmed the club’s relegation from the NWFL Premiership a painful outcome that further deepened the football crisis in Ondo State following Sunshine Stars failure to return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
With five matches left in the 2025/26 season, coach Tayo Onilude was reappointed to steer the team after Kayode Olujohungbe was asked to step aside. Onilude had earlier managed the side during the 2021/22 campaign before leaving after recording one win and one draw in nine matches.
Determined to finish strongly, Sunshine Queens dominated much of their final league game after a goalless first half. Their persistence paid off in the 67th minute when captain Ololade Akintunde calmly converted from the penalty spot after a foul inside the area.
The visitors attempted to fight back with aggressive pressing, but the Akure side held firm defensively. Substitute Bunmi Adenuga wrapped up the victory late on with a composed finish in the 88th minute.
Despite the celebrations on the pitch, hopes of survival were dashed after Dannaz Ladies edged Remo Stars Ladies 3-2 in Ikenne, a result that condemned Sunshine Queens to relegation.
Sunshine Queens ended the campaign eighth in Group B with 22 points from five wins, seven draws and six defeats.
In Group A, defending champions Bayelsa Queens finished top with 37 points ahead of Rivers Angels and Edo Queens, while Pacesetter Queens and Naija Ratels were relegated.
Group B winners FC Robo Queens finished ahead of Nasarawa Amazons and Abia Angels, while Sunshine Queens, Osun Babes and Confluence Queens dropped to the lower division.
Attention will now shift to the Super Six tournament, where the top six clubs will battle for the 2025/26 NWFL title.
Meanwhile, angry supporters and stakeholders blamed the club’s management for the team’s downfall, insisting the crisis began after the removal of officials who guided the club back to the elite division.
“The team manager and coaches sacrificed a lot to sustain the team during difficult periods. They used personal funds to feed players and even paid transportation fares for new recruits, yet they were removed without any convincing reason,” one supporter lamented.
The stakeholders also appealed to Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene and overhaul the club’s administration.
“The governor has been funding the team adequately and releasing subventions regularly. What is needed now are competent football administrators capable of managing the club effectively,” another fan stated.
For many football followers in Ondo State, the relegation of Sunshine Queens coming after Sunshine Stars’ disappointing campaign paints a troubling picture of a once proud football structure now struggling to keep its place among Nigeria’s elite clubs.
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