NWFL – Nofisat Ayegbami’s 96th-minute winner seals victory for Dannaz Ladies in season-opening thriller

After months of anticipation, the 2025/26 Nigerian Women’s Football League season finally kicked off, as teams from across the country locked horns in various centres.

Lagos-based Dannaz Ladies hosted Osun Babes in the league’s opening fixture at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, producing a thrilling five-goal encounter filled with end-to-end football.

Fifteen minutes into the game, Sharon Shomuyiwa stunned the hosts with a brilliant run into the box, showing great skill to sit her markers before stroking the ball past Praise Daniel for the opener — the first goal of the NWFL 2025/26 season.

The hosts responded swiftly.

Sholaty Fatima grabbed the equaliser for Osun Babes just three minutes later with a fine header to restore parity.

The first half ended 1–1.

Action resumed in the second half with both sides pushing to take the lead, but they cancelled each other out in the early stages.

However, in the 79th minute, Miracle Omeke put Dannaz Ladies ahead for the first time in the encounter, before Robiat Taofeek levelled things once again with a rocket from outside the box in the 85th minute.

It looked certain that both teams would settle for a point apiece, but Nofisat Ayegbami struck deep into added time to give the hosts all three points, scoring what proved to be the winner.

A proper five-goal thriller to usher in a new season in the Nigerian Women’s Football League.