The 2025/26 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership resumed on Wednesday, January 7, after the Christmas and New Year break Matchday Five fixture but it wasn’t a good one for Bayesa Queens after a 2-1 victory in regulation time.
Almost immediately after the referee signalled full-time, the atmosphere inside the stadium turned hostile.
A group of Ibom Angels supporters, dissatisfied with the result and angry at what they believed were questionable officiating calls, invaded the pitch with fury.
WATCH VIDEOS OF PITCH INVASION BY IBOM ANGELS’ FANS
Goals from Kesiena Ojiyovwi and the winning goal from Janet Akekoromowei, the most wanted female footballer in the Nigerian women’s football league sealed the needed win for Bayelsa Queens.
The incident began after a controversial goal was scored in the 90th minute. The referee initially awarded the goal but was forced to cancel it after the assistant referee raised his flag, indicating that the ball had crossed the line before entering the goal.At
At that moment, Bayelsa Queens were leading 2–1. The decision immediately created tension inside the Uyo Township Stadium. The match continued for about two additional minutes before the referee blew the final whistle to confirm Bayelsa Queens’ victory.
As Bayelsa Queens players celebrated their hard-earned away win, home supporters invaded the pitch and began causing unrest. The situation quickly escalated when the fans started attacking Bayelsa Queens players and match officials. Shortly after, some players and officials from the home team became involved, further worsening an already volatile situation. In response, Bayelsa Queens officials and substitute players rushed from the bench to protect their teammates who were being assaulted on the field.
Although there were approximately 15 police officers on duty and a police van stationed at the entrance of the stadium, the security personnel failed to control the situation. Instead, they appeared to side with the home supporters, and in a disturbing moment, a police officer pushed Bayelsa Queens’ coach, Whyte Ogbonda, to the ground. At that point, the environment became completely unsafe, and it was clear that we could no longer rely on external security for protection.
To prevent further harm, our players and officials were forced to leave the pitch immediately and run to our vehicles to escape the stadium. What should have been the conclusion of a competitive football match turned into a dangerous and unacceptable breakdown of security.