Honey Badgers, based in Benue State, made history on Sunday by securing their first-ever promotion to the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Pelican Stars at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross River State.
A decisive second-half goal by Hellen Daniel sealed the win for Bashiru Liadi’s side, marking a monumental achievement for the club.
Both teams started energetically, with Honey Badgers missing an early opportunity to take the lead. Shortly after, their goalkeeper, Stella Okereke, pulled off a crucial save to keep Pelican Stars at bay.
Despite the hosts pushing for a breakthrough in the first half, the Badgers stood firm. The match shifted in the second half, and in the 67th minute, Daniel found the back of the net, delivering the winning goal.
The home crowd continued to rally behind Pelican Stars as they pressed for an equalizer, but the Honey Badgers held their ground, securing victory after 90 minutes.
This win marks the first time Honey Badgers will compete in Nigeria’s top-flight women’s football league.
They join Ibom Angels, who also earned promotion after defeating Osun Babes 2-0, for the 2024/2025 NWFL Premiership season.
Head coach Bashiru Liadi, who previously led Osun Babes, has once again masterminded a promotion—this time with Honey Badgers.
