The 2024/25 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season is set to make history as it welcomes two new debutants for the first time since the league’s inception.

Five regional champions are battling for the coveted spots in the top-tier league through a fierce Division One play-off, showcasing the rising talent in Sierra Leonean women’s football.

In a thrilling opening match, Ascentonians FC, the Western Area champions and one of the country’s oldest female football clubs, demonstrated their experience with a commanding 5-1 victory over North-East Region champions, Rising Queens. The match marks a significant milestone for both clubs, as it is their first time competing for a spot in the prestigious Women’s Premier League.

The round-robin play-off, hosted at the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Academy in Kingtom, Freetown, will see the top two teams secure promotion to join the 12-team WPL.

Alongside Ascentonians FC and Rising Queens, three other regional champions—Koidu United from the Eastern Region, North-West’s Berny’s Starlet, and JCC from the Southern Region—are all vying for a place in the upcoming season.