Coach Nelly Orisakwe: A Rising Force in Nigerian Women’s Football

By Tony Ahize

Coach Nelly Orisakwe has established herself as a formidable figure and a fast-rising force in women’s football in Nigeria, Jazzy News can exclusively report. 

Popularly known as Coach Nelly, she recently guided her side, Imo Strikers Queens, to a historic promotion from the NWFL Championship to the NWFL Premiership with a flawless record of four straight victories.

Her team dispatched Delta Babes FC 4-1, edged Osun Babes 2–1, overcame Ghetto Tigress 2–0, and emphatically thrashed Moje Queens 7–1  even after securing promotion with a game to spare.

A tactician with modern football ideas, Coach Nelly has shown exceptional ability in shaping teams with contemporary strategies, blending discipline with attacking flair. Even before completing her NIS coaching course in 2022, her natural coaching instincts had already begun producing results.

Looking at her Career Highlights and Achievements, Orisakwe has achieved a lot as grassroot coach, bagging gold trophies and medals in her wake.  

• 2021 – Burst into the limelight by qualifying Imo State’s female team for the National Youth Games in women’s football.

• 2021 – Led the state’s team to the National Youth Games proper, winning silver medal.

• 2021 – Guided Imo Strikers Queens to the YSFON Games in Abuja, claiming bronze medal.

• 2022 – Took Imo Strikers Queens, representing the South East, to the 1st Edition of the Soccer Queens Cup, clinching the gold medal.

• 2022 – Earned promotion for Imo Strikers Queens from the Nationwide League to the NWFL Championship.

• 2022 – Secured silver medal at the Ifeanyi Chiejina Memorial Cup in Asaba, with her player winning the MVP award.

• 2023 – Coached a selected female side from Imo State to gold medal at the National Sports Festival in Asaba.

• 2023 – Captured gold medal with Imo Strikers Queens at the Sheroes Cup (Championship category) in Abuja, with the team producing the tournament’s top scorer.

• 2023 – Added another gold medal at the Ifeanyi Chiejina Memorial Cup in Asaba.

• 2023 – Won the South East Football League, finishing in first position.

• 2023 – Lifted the Chime Tournament Trophy with her team.

• 2024 – Claimed gold medal at the YSFON NOWA’s Tournament in Enugu, alongside the Best Team award.

• 2025 – Led Team Delta to a gold medal at the Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo.

• 2025 – Guided Team Delta to another medal at the National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

• 2025 – Recently secured promotion again, steering Imo Strikers Queens from the NWFL Championship to the Premiership.

In the event of this move, she has also bagged Awards and Recognition for football tournament organizers and football administrators; 

• Best Grassroots Coach of the Year (2022)

• Best Coach of the Sheroes Cup, Abuja (2023, Championship category)

• Best Coach Award, NOWA YSFON U-17, Enugu (2024)

With a remarkable track record across grassroots, state, regional, and national competitions, Coach Nelly Orisakwe has proven herself one of the most outstanding female coaches in Nigeria. Her tactical awareness, disciplined approach, and consistent success make her a standard-bearer for women’s football.

Few female coaches can rival her record to date — yet it is clear this is only the beginning. Stay tuned for more on Coach Nelly Orisakwe and her trailblazing journey in our next edition of Sports Profile.