NWFL Unveils January Award Nominees as Top Stars and Coaches Battle for Recognition

The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has officially announced the nominees for its January Player and Manager of the Month awards, highlighting some of the league’s most consistent performers at the start of the year.

Five standout players made the shortlist for the Player of the Month category, including Abasiofon Uwah, Rivers Angels’ Kareem Ramatalahi, Ismail Zainab of Ekiti Queens, Bayelsa Queens’ forward Akekoromowei Janet, and Edo Queens’ Atume Doosur. Each of the nominees delivered impressive performances for their respective clubs, contributing goals, creativity, and strong leadership on the pitch during the month under review.

In the managerial category, four tacticians have been recognised for guiding their teams through competitive fixtures. The nominees include Danjuma Christopher of Nasarawa Amazons, Tosan Blankson of Rivers Angels, Whyte Ogbonda of Bayelsa Queens, and Moses Adaku of Edo Queens. The NWFL confirmed that winners in both categories will be decided through fan voting, encouraging supporters to actively participate in celebrating excellence within the league.

The January nominations follow December’s awards, where Robo Queens’ Rafiu Tosin and head coach Emmanuel Osahon claimed the Player and Manager honours respectively, setting a competitive tone for the new year.

An Opinion Worth Applauding

The growing visibility of monthly awards in the NWFL reflects a positive shift in how women’s football is being celebrated in Nigeria. Recognising individual brilliance not only motivates players and coaches but also gives fans a deeper connection to the league’s evolving storylines. Names like Akekoromowei Janet and Atume Doosur continuing to appear in performance conversations show the increasing quality and competitiveness across different teams.

However, fan-voted awards also spark an interesting debate: should popularity outweigh pure performance? While public engagement strengthens the league’s reach, maintaining balance between merit and fan enthusiasm will be key to preserving credibility.

Ultimately, these nominations are more than just individual achievements — they signal the steady growth of the NWFL as a platform where talent is noticed and rewarded. As voting begins, supporters have a chance not only to celebrate their favourites but also to amplify the rising profile of women’s football in Nigeria.