Bayelsa Queens head coach, Ogbonda Whyte is relishing the sweet taste of success after securing his first-ever Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership title.
Speaking after Bayelsa Queens were crowned 2024/25 NWFL Premiership champions, Whyte was candid about the professional doors that had remained closed due to his previous title drought.
“I am happy because this title has denied me of more plum jobs,” he said. “I remembered when I went for the U-17 job, I was asked if I have won any title as a head coach—which I hadn’t then.”
A Long Road to the Top
Before this crowning moment, Whyte had come close to glory with Ibom Angels, finishing second twice in past campaigns.
His breakthrough began last season when he led Rivers Angels to the 2024 President Federation Cup title, breaking his personal silverware jinx.
“Last year, I took Rivers to win the President Federation Cup and now I have won the league title for Bayelsa Queens.”
“I will say I am very happy,” he stated.
Whyte didn’t hesitate to credit the Bayelsa State Government for providing the financial muscle and incentives that pushed the team to league success.
“I had it in mind to get to this stage because the state government did everything humanly possible to motivate the players and technical crew,” he noted.
“A lot of financial motivation was at stake for every match we won. I was sure we would get to this stage.”
A Historic Feat for the Prosperity Girls
Bayelsa Queens’ latest triumph marks their sixth league title and earns them the honour of becoming the first NWFL Premiership club to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League for the second time.
They previously won the 2022 WAFU-B qualifiers and went on to secure bronze at the continental finals, becoming Nigeria’s most successful team at the tournament to date.
Other Nigerian clubs who have represented the country include Rivers Angels, Delta Queens, and Edo Queens, but none have matched Bayelsa Queens’ podium finish.
