Akhil Rawat
AIFF Media Team
NEW DELHI: The eighth instalment of the Indian Women’s League kicks off on Friday, January 10, 2025. Bigger and better. It will be the second season in a row to be held in a home-and-away format, with the number of teams increased to eight after two promotions from the inaugural IWL 2 season last year. 56 matches in more than three months will take place in eight venues across the country to determine the IWL 2024-25 champions, who will also have the golden opportunity to represent India at the 2025-26 AFC Women’s Champions League. All matches of the 2024-25 IWL will be streamed live on ssen.co.
Odisha FC’s juggernaut broke Gokulam Kerala FC’s hegemony by clinching their maiden IWL trophy last season in what was a title race that went down to the wire until the last matchday. There are no clear favourites this season too as we take a look at all eight contenders for the biggest crown in Indian women’s football.
ODISHA FC
Founded: 2022
Home: Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
Head coach: Crispin Chettri
Best result: Champions (2023-24)
Last season: Champions
Will defending champions Odisha FC be able to continue their juggernaut is the big question ahead of the new season. Many big and experienced names have departed the club and it’s a new look team in many aspects. But most importantly, Crispin Chettri is still the head coach and they had the advantage of having the longest pre-season camp, while also getting competitive action in their debut AFC Women’s Champions League campaign where they managed to win the preliminary round and qualify for the group stage. Pyari Xaxa, Lynda Kom Serto and Jennifer Yeboah (Ghana) might just be the most dangerous attacking trio in the league, while Odisha’s hopes in defence will rest on Eliane Bodolo (Cameroon), Maryam Ibrahim (Nigeria) and their star goalkeeper Shreya Hooda, who kept nine clean sheets last season.
GOKULAM KERALA FC
Founded: 2017
Home: EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode
Head coach: Ranjan Chowdhury
Best result: Champions (2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23)
Last season: 2nd place
The record-time champions and also the only club to win multiple IWL trophies, Gokulam Kerala FC will be eager to reclaim the winners’ tag after being pipped by two points last season. A slow start ultimately cost them a fourth straight title, and even seven wins in the last seven games weren’t enough to dislodge Odisha FC from the top. Under new head coach Ranjan Chowdhury, the Malabarians have a much younger squad at their disposal this time. That includes Blue Tigresses like Shilky Devi, Martina Thokchom, Ratanbala Devi and Roja Devi. However, Gokulam will be glad to retain last year’s golden boot winner with 13 goals, Fazila Ikwaput (Uganda) and defender Phoeby Okech (Kenya). Catherine Aringo (Kenya), their third foreign signing, will also bolster their attack.
KICKSTART FC
Founded: 2016
Home: Bangalore Football Stadium, Bengaluru
Head coach: Langam Chaoba Devi
Best result: Runners-up (2022-23)
Last season: 3rd place
One of those sides who have always been in the title discussions over the last few seasons but haven’t managed to break through yet, Kickstart FC will hope this could be their year. The six-time Karnataka Women’s League champions have significantly reinforced their Indian contingent with experienced signings and former IWL winners like Sanju, Ranjana Chanu and Grace Dangmei. They have also retained head coach Langam Chaoba Devi, Karishma Shirvoikar, who scored seven goals last season, captain Dalima Chhibber and key defenders like Aruna Bag and Pakpi Devi. Surprisingly, Kickstart earned five points less in home games than on their travels last time, which is something Chaoba will look to rectify if they are to translate their success in the state into the national level.
SETHU FC
Founded: 2016
Home: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
Head coach: Shareef Khan
Best result: Champions (2018-19)
Last season: 4th place
The veterans of the league, Sethu FC will be participating in their seventh IWL season. Former champions in 2018-19, their last season turned out to be a bit underwhelming with only five wins and 16 goals in 12 matches. Sethu have looked to maintain continuity in terms of their squad, retaining key names like Nirmala Devi, K Ngopawdi, Babina Devi and Purnima Kumari. As far as foreign signings are concerned, they have roped in Uganda international midfielder Amina Nababi and Cameroonian forward Moussa Zouwairatou, who could solve their goalscoring woes. The experience of former India international Prameshwori Devi could also be important. Additionally, Sethu will be delighted to host matches in their home state of Tamil Nadu after being based out of Goa last season.
HOPS FC
Founded: 2014
Home: Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi
Head coach: Manoj Joshi
Best result: 5th place (2023-24)
Last season: 5th place
HOPS FC are heading into their third consecutive IWL season. Quarter-finalists in 2022-23 and fifth place last time have been decent showings. But the capital side, coached by Manoj Joshi this season, will aim for a stronger performance and perhaps a top-four finish. HOPS have persisted in their ideology of promoting young girls, with their team dominated by players from Haryana. Their squad has the youngest average age among all IWL clubs this season. Pooja, Naketa and Shailja are among a few India youth internationals. The former also went on to make her senior India debut just last week. HOPS do have a couple of Ghanaians, who they will rely upon a lot. Gladys Amfobea will don the club’s shirt for the second season in a row, while Constance Achiaa will have the responsibility of filling the scoring boots after Fredrica Torkudzor’s departure.
EAST BENGAL FC
Founded: 2001
Home: East Bengal Club Ground, Kolkata
Head coach: Anthony Andrews
Best result: 6th place (2023-24)
Last season: 6th place
Ahead of their third IWL campaign, East Bengal FC have already grabbed eyeballs with their high-profile player signings and the recruitment of two-time IWL champion coach Anthony Andrews, signifying their strong intent of winning the trophy this season. What was a largely youthful squad last season has reshaped into a team furnished with experience. With as many as nine India internationals in their ranks, including captain Ashalata Devi, Panthoi Chanu, Anju Tamang, Sandhiya Ranganathan and Soumya Guguloth (the latter three scored 18 goals last season) among others, they have arguably the strongest Indian contingent in the league. With the Moshal Girls enjoying great support at the East Bengal Club Ground, it should make for a difficult trip for visiting teams.
SRIBHUMI FC
Founded: 2019
Home: Bibhutibhusan Stadium, Barrackpore
Head coach: Sujata Kar
Last season: Champions of IWL 2
Champions of the first-ever IWL 2 without much of a hiccup, Sribhumi will look to make the most of their well-deserved spot in the IWL. Led by head coach Sujata Kar, they have made some eye-catching and big-name signings like forward Bala Devi and goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan, two of the greatest Indian players of all time in their positions. They have no dearth of quality young players as well, with the likes of Rimpa Haldar, Sibani Devi, Nitu Linda, Apurna Narzary among others who will be eager to make their mark. The Kolkata club have also looked towards Ghana for their foreign recruits – Regina Antwi and Queenable Akousa Amankrah. All in all, Sribhumi are certainly one of the dark horses in this season’s IWL.
NITA FOOTBALL ACADEMY
Founded: 2011
Home: Capital Football Arena, Bhubaneswar
Head coach: Paromita Sit
Last season: 2nd in IWL 2
The newest entrants in the top flight of Indian women’s football, it’s fair to say Nita Football Academy have punched above their weight to gain promotion to the IWL. Club owner Subrat Das admitted that their rise has been unexpected but exciting. With a largely young and homegrown squad apart from India internationals like Manisa Panna, Juli Kishan and Jabamani Tudu, the Odisha side hope for a solid debut season. At the helm, Nita FA have Paromita Sit, a highly-experienced IWL coach formerly with Sports Odisha. The signings of Ghanaians Sussana Konadu and Gifty Acheampong further indicate that the newcomers are not going to be pushovers.
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