First Mahi Babes Football Club of Ebonyi secured a walkover victory against Queen of Softlanding FC of Enugu in the 2025 President Federation Cup National Play-Offs. The match, scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, did not take place as the Enugu-based team failed to show up.
The game was set to kick off at 3 PM, but Queen of Softlanding FC was absent when the match officials completed their pre-match protocols. After observing the mandatory waiting period, the referee officially awarded the match to First Mahi Babes FC.
With this walkover victory, First Mahi Babes FC have automatically advanced to the next round of the prestigious cup competition. The Ebonyi-based club, which competes in the second division of the Nigerian women’s league, will now set its sights on the upcoming round.
The President Federation Cup National Play-Offs serve as the qualifying phase for teams aiming to secure a spot in the main competition. A number of emerging teams participated in this stage, with only the successful ones progressing to the next phase.
Following the conclusion of the play-offs, a total of 64 teams will emerge for the main draw, which is scheduled to take place in Abuja. These teams will compete in the Round of 64, set to kick off on March 19.
The walkover result has provided First Mahi Babes FC an easier path into the competition, as they did not have to exert themselves on the pitch. However, the team will need to be fully prepared for tougher challenges in the subsequent rounds.
Queen of Softlanding FC’s absence remains unexplained, and it is unclear whether they will face any penalties or sanctions from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for failing to honor the fixture. Walkovers are rare at this stage of the competition, making their no-show a surprising development.
For First Mahi Babes FC, this marks a significant opportunity to make an impact in the competition. Despite being a lower-division side, they will be hoping to cause upsets and make a deep run in the tournament.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the teams that make it to the next rounds. The Federation Cup remains one of Nigeria’s most prestigious football competitions, offering smaller clubs a chance to compete against top-tier teams.
With their place in the next round secured, First Mahi Babes FC will now wait for the Abuja draw to determine their next opponent in what promises to be an exciting contest.
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