...As Flying Falcons SC win socca league championship

Over the past few months, hundreds of women across Lagos have taken to the pitch through the Aya Women Socca League, a female-focused football initiative sponsored by Aya Care and organised by The HIVE Leagues and Socca Naija.

Now in its third year, the league continues to grow as one of Lagos’ leading platforms for women in grassroots football, bringing together players from across the city to compete,train, and build community through sport.

This year’s season saw women participate across six football clubs, with players competing weekly in the fast-growing five-a-side Socca format.

Through Aya’s sponsorship, participating women had their training, match participation, and league operations covered – helping remove financial barriers that often prevent women from consistently participating in organised sport.

The season concluded with a thrilling final between Dream Girls SC and Flying Falcons SC, ending in a dramatic penalty shootout that saw Flying Falcons SC crowned champions.

Winning teams and players received over N500,000 in cash prizes and rewards throughout the season, including league winnings, weekly player awards, and team recognition prizes further reflecting Aya’s commitment to not just promoting women’s football, but actively investing in the women behind the game.

“For us, this is much bigger than football. Too many women in Lagos want to play sport, stay active, compete, and build confidence, but lack access, funding, or safe organised spaces.

Aya exists to support women beyond period care, and this league is one of the ways we invest directly into women’s wellbeing, ambition, and community,” Co-Founder of Aya Care, Inya Ajanaku said.

While Aya is best known for its viral ultra-thin, long sanitary pads designed specifically for African women, the brand has increasingly expanded its women empowerment initiative across Nigeria, including sports, period poverty alleviation, and community-led programs.

The Aya Women Socca League has quickly become a standout example of that mission in action proving that when women are given access and support, they show up powerfully.

Co-Founder of The HIVE Leagues, Henry Koko adds: “We’re proud to help create the structure and platform for these women to compete consistently. The energy, commitment, and talent we’ve seen this season has been incredible.”

As women’s football interest continues to rise globally and across Nigeria, Aya said it plans to continue investing in opportunities that help women play, lead, and thrive – both on and off the pitch.