Sports

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have lost 2-1 to Poland in their opening Group B match at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. The match, played on Saturday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, saw the Flamingos struggle to convert their scoring opportunities and concede two costly goals. Poland took the lead in the 33rd minute when Wiktoria Skrzypczak converted a penalty awarded after a Football Video Assistant Referee review. Natalia Skrok doubled the advantage in the 65th minute, capitalising on a poor clearance by the Nigerian defence. Nigeria responded in the 79th minute through substitute Oluebube Umejiaku, who scored from a free kick after an assist from Kanyinsola Yusuf. However, the Flamingos were unable to find an equaliser despite late pressure. The defeat exposed defensive lapses and a lack of finishing precision, despite Nigeria creating several chances during the match. Players including Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Queen Joseph threatened Poland’s goal in the first half but failed to convert their opportunities. Head coach Akeem Busari introduced Umejiaku and Awawu Bashiru in the 68th minute in an attempt to revive Nigeria’s attack. The substitutions brought renewed energy, with Umejiaku’s goal giving the team hope of salvaging a point. Meanwhile, defending champions Korea DPR began their campaign with a commanding 6-0 victory over Puerto Rico in the other Group B fixture. The result leaves Nigeria under pressure to secure a win against Puerto Rico in their next match on Tuesday before facing Korea DPR in their final group game. The Flamingos will need to improve their defensive organisation and finishing as they seek to revive their campaign and strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout stage.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have advanced to the third round of the 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers after defeating Comoros 5-0 in the second leg of their qualifying tie. The victory, recorded on Tuesday, October 13, gave Nigeria a 7-0 aggregate win after their 2-0 victory in the first leg. Toni Payne and Uchenna Kanu scored twice each, while Christy Ucheibe converted a penalty to complete the emphatic victory. The result also saw Nigeria keep clean sheets in both legs, offering encouragement to interim coach Augustine Eguavoen as the team seeks to rebuild confidence following a disappointing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Kanu’s performance further strengthened her position as an attacking option for the team, while Michelle Alozie impressed at right-back with her defensive contributions and support for attacks. Substitutes Folashade Ijamilusi and Blessing Okpe also made significant impacts, providing two assists each. Okpe additionally won the penalty converted by Ucheibe. The Super Falcons will now face Morocco in the third round of the Olympic qualifiers. The North African side presents a tougher challenge, having emerged as one of the continent’s leading women’s football teams in recent years. Nigeria will draw confidence from their 3-2 victory over Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. However, the upcoming two-legged encounter will require greater defensive discipline and attacking efficiency as the nine-time African champions continue their quest to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have taken a step closer to qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games after defeating Comoros 2-0 in the first leg of their second-round qualifier. Michelle Alozie opened the scoring in the 48th minute at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, before Uchenna Kanu doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 60th minute. The victory gives Nigeria a two-goal advantage ahead of the return leg. The match was the first competitive assignment for interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, who is leading the team while the Nigeria Football Federation searches for a permanent coach. The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, also in Ikenne. An aggregate victory would send Nigeria into the third round, where they would face either the Democratic Republic of Congo or Morocco.

Lionel Messi has ended his Argentina international career in style, scoring once and providing two assists as the world champions defeated Benin 3–0 in Buenos Aires. The October 6 match marked Messi’s final appearance for Argentina, bringing his 21-year international career to an end. Messi set up Nicolás Otamendi for the opening goal in the 48th minute before assisting Nico Paz for Argentina’s second in the 61st minute. He then converted a penalty in the 71st minute to complete the 3–0 victory. The 39-year-old finished his Argentina career as the country’s most-capped player with 208 appearances and its all-time leading scorer with 126 goals. Former Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr was in charge of Benin for the farewell match. Messi leaves international football having won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 Copa América with Argentina.

England have recorded a huge 7-0 victory over Croatia in the Nations League, with Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane both scoring twice. Harry Kane’s brace takes his international goal tally to 89, further extending his record as England’s all-time leading scorer. Arsenal winger Saka also impressed, while Jude Bellingham scored and provided three assists in a standout performance. Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers also got on the scoresheet as England secured their second win in three Nations League matches. The result marks England’s biggest victory under manager Thomas Tuchel and strengthens their push for a top-two finish in the group. England are now targeting a place in the Nations League quarter-finals, which are scheduled for March 2027. The match was played in a subdued atmosphere in Rijeka, with Croatia restricted from hosting a full crowd following previous crowd trouble.

Nigeria’s table tennis star Quadri Aruna has helped Amiens STT secure a second straight victory in the French Pro B League. Aruna delivered a strong performance as Amiens defeated Nantes TT 3-0 in their Week Two encounter on Tuesday. The Nigerian recovered from losing the opening game 11-7 to Andre Silva, winning the next three games 11-5, 11-8 and 11-3. South Korea’s Cho Seungmin then defeated Nigerian veteran Segun Toriola in straight games, before Joao Monteiro sealed the victory for Amiens. The result keeps Amiens among the leading teams in the league after two rounds, as they continue their push for promotion to the French Pro A division. Aruna and his teammates will face Compiégnois TT in their next match on October 23.

Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations have suffered a setback after the Super Eagles lost 3–0 to Guinea-Bissau in their second Group L qualifier. Franculino opened the scoring for Guinea-Bissau after 15 minutes, before Mama Baldé doubled the lead in the second half. Álvaro Djaló then completed the victory in stoppage time. Nigeria had started the qualifying campaign with a 2–1 comeback win over Madagascar, but could not repeat that result against Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau now have six points from two matches, while Nigeria face increased pressure in Group L. Tanzania, as one of the co-hosts, already have an automatic place at the 2027 tournament. Meanwhile, Ghana also suffered defeat, losing 4–2 to The Gambia after surrendering a two-goal lead.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have arrived in Bissau ahead of Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau. The team departed Uyo on Sunday after completing a final training session, following their 2-1 victory over Madagascar in their opening Group L fixture. The Super Eagles arrived at the Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau at about 8:40 p.m. on Sunday. Guinea-Bissau also won their opening match, defeating Tanzania two-nil, putting them ahead of Nigeria on goal difference. The match will take place at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Tuesday. Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau have met four times, with Guinea-Bissau winning once, during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. Only the group winner will secure qualification for AFCON 2027, while co-hosts Tanzania already have an automatic place in the tournament.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have started their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo. Madagascar took an early lead after catching Nigeria on the counter, but debutant George Ilenikhena equalised in first-half stoppage time. Nigeria continued to dominate after the break, with captain Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi helping the Super Eagles control the midfield. Another debutant, Moses Usor, then scored in the second half to complete Nigeria’s comeback and secure all three points. The result puts Nigeria second in Group L with three points, level with leaders Guinea-Bissau but behind on goal difference. The Super Eagles will travel to face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29. Nigeria played without striker Victor Osimhen, who is unavailable for the opening qualifiers due to injury.