Who is Janet Semenya Akekeromowei? She was just a young talented player based in Lagos Nigeria precisely Ikeja area of Lagos, but was spotted by Coach Apele of FC Barcelona Lagos who later introduced her to foremost communication strategist Tobi Peters a renowned sports administrator and a broadcaster who helped to shape Seimenya progress in football, from Hallelujah FC Ladies to Oshoala Academy, Tobi made sure Seimenya played in the Lagos FA Cup then moved her to top Nigeria women’s premier league side Nasarawa Amazon where she spent just one season then she was the most valuable player of the season just her first season in the Nigeria women’s premier league.
Seimenya also has the chance to play in the under-20 women’s World Cup for Nigeria. During the qualifiers, her goals sealed a spot for Nigeria at the World Cup.
Seimenya was the only Nigerian female player at age 17 to ever represent Nigeria in all categories.
In 2024, she represented Nigeria at the World Cup under 20 in Colombia, the Under-17 Wafu Nations Cup and Super Falcons of Nigeria, as well as international friendly games Nigeria vs Algeria.
After winning the most valuable player of the season in the Nigeria women’s premier league, Tobi, the renowned sports communication strategist, was involved in moving Semenya to the current champions of the Nigeria women’s league in Nigeria Bayelsa Queens.
Tobi Peters has managed top players, Obafemi Martins, Asisat Oshoala, Joseph Yobo, former Everton captain, Sunday Stephen, former Spanish Valencia player and a few others.
Currently, Seimenya is the hottest female footballer in Africa after helping Bayelsa Queens to seal a spot in the Wafu B Caf Champions League finals.
Bayelsa Queens came from behind to beat Burkina Faso’s USFA 2-1 on Tuesday to reach the final of the 2025 WAFU B Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.
The Prosperity Girls, who won the regional crown in 2022, fell behind inside two minutes when Comfort Yeboah capitalised on a defensive mix-up between Florence Alexander and goalkeeper Monle Omini to lob into an empty net.
Bayelsa responded quickly and levelled in the 15th minute when Shakirat Moshood dispossessed a USFA defender before skipping past three opponents to set up Emem Essien, who headed home the equaliser.
The goal injected confidence into the Nigerians, who began to dictate the tempo with Alaba Olabiyi and Vera Samuel among those pulling the strings in the middle of the park.
The winner arrived in the 62nd minute through Seimeyeha Akekoromowei.
The former Nasarawa Amazons forward pounced on a loose ball and unleashed a thunderous strike from the edge of the box that left the USFA goalkeeper helpless.
Akekoromowei, who had been a standout player in the group stage with decisive goals, once again demonstrated her value and strengthened her reputation as one of the brightest talents in West African women’s football.
She was later named Player of the Match for the second time in the tournament.
The victory means Bayelsa Queens, unbeaten throughout the competition, will face Ivorian champions ASEC Mimosas in Friday’s final after the hosts defeated Ghana’s Police Ladies 4-1 earlier to become the first Ivorian side to reach the WAFU B Women’s Champions League final.
The winner of the regional tournament will secure qualification for the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League and a potential spot at both the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup and the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. Bayelsa, who finished third at the continental finals in Morocco three years ago, are now one game away from another appearance on Africa’s biggest stage.
