The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • WAFCON Qualifier: Oshoala, Omewa, seven others arrive camp

    WAFCON Qualifier: Oshoala, Omewa, seven others arrive camp

    Ten-time African Champions, Super Falcons, will commence training on Monday in the Togolese capital, Lomé ahead of their 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture against Benin Republic.

    Six-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala was among the early birds in the Lomé camp, alongside new invitee Joy Omewa, as well as Turkey-based defender Tosin Demehin.

    China-based forward Folashade Ijamilusi and the home-based quintet of goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi, defenders Blessing Ilivieda and Miracle Usani, midfielder Taiwo Afolabi and forward Kafayat Mafisere have also arrived.

    Head Coach Justine Madugu has confirmed that the team would begin training sessions in Lomé on Monday afternoon, as they prepare to face the Bénin senior women’s team at the 25,000 – capacity Stade de Kégué on Friday afternoon.

    The encounter is a final qualifying fixture for the 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations championship to be hosted by Morocco, which also serves as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, to be hosted by Brazil.

    The encounter will commence at 3 p.m. Togo time (4 p.m. Nigeria time). The game will be played in Lome as Benin do not have a stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    The return leg is slated for the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta on Oct. 28.

    CAF has selected Gambian official Ngum Fatou as referee for Friday’s match.

    Fatou will be supported by  Mauritanians Mariem Chedad and Hamedine Houleye as assistant referees 1 and 2 respectively, while Gambian Isatou Touray will serve as fourth official.

    Read Also: Gambian referee  to decide Super Falcons, Beninese Ladies  WAFCON Qualifier

    Halimatou Hamidou from Niger Republic will be the commissioner, while Martha Nyekanyeka from Malawi will be in the role of referee assessor.

    SUPER FALCONS FOR WAFCON QUALIFYING FIXTURE VS BÉNIN:

    Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons).

    Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels).

    Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal).

    Forwards: Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorrin FC, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens). (NAN)

  • Graham Potter named Sweden boss

    Graham Potter named Sweden boss

    Former West Ham manager Graham Potter has been announced as the new head coach of Sweden.

    The 50-year-old has accepted the role on an initial short-term basis in a bid to aid Sweden’s faltering World Cup qualification campaign.

    Potter said: “I am very humbled by the assignment, but also incredibly inspired. Sweden has fantastic players who deliver in the world’s best leagues during the weeks.

    “My job will be to create the conditions so that we as a team deliver at the highest level to take Sweden to the World Cup next summer.”

    Sweden had been seeking a new head coach since the dismissal of Jon Dahl Tomasson following their 1-0 loss to Kosovo on 13 October, a result that made automatic qualification from their group impossible.

    However, they could still reach the play-offs even without finishing in the top two of Group B as a result of their success in the 2024-25 Nations League, where they topped their group.

    Potter was sacked by West Ham at the end of September after a disappointing start to the season.

    Five losses in six games in the 2025-26 campaign had left the Hammers in the Premier League bottom three. Overall, he won just six of 23 matches since joining the east London club in January.

    However, Potter retains a positive image in Sweden, having delivered three promotions in four seasons at Ostersund, taking them from the fourth division to the top flight, while also winning a domestic cup in 2017.

    Potter also had successful spells managing Brighton and Swansea City before joining Chelsea in 2022 but was dismissed from his role at Stamford Bridge after seven months.

  • Forest in advanced talks to appoint manager Dyche

    Forest in advanced talks to appoint manager Dyche

    Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks to appoint Sean Dyche as their manager.

    Dyche is the main contender to become the next Forest head coach, following the sacking of Ange Postecoglou, and the Premier League club hope to conclude a deal on Monday.

    Postecoglou was sacked 17 minutes after Forest’s 3-0 defeat by Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.

    Forest are 18th in the table after just one win in eight league games, during what has been a season of upheaval.

    Dyche has had positive talks over the past 24 hours and sources close to the appointment have told BBC Sport his chances of getting the job have improved significantly over the weekend.

    Read Also: Forest sack Postecoglou after 39 days in charge

    Roberto Mancini has also held discussions with Forest officials, while Fulham manager Marco Silva is admired but under contract.

    There is also a large release clause in Silva’s contract that has emerged as a factor, given Forest have already spent on sacking Postecoglou and Nuno Espirito Santo this season.

    Whether Silva would be prepared to leave Fulham mid-season is also understood to be an issue.

    Sources are indicating that Dyche is currently the standalone candidate, given the difficulties in appointing Silva, while the initial interest in Mancini is understood to have cooled.

    BBC

  • FIFA U17 Women’s W’Cup: Flamingos lose 4-1  to Canada in opener

    FIFA U17 Women’s W’Cup: Flamingos lose 4-1  to Canada in opener

    Canada’s U17 girls scored three second-half goals to dominate Nigeria 4-1 in the opening match of Group D of the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in Morocco.

    The game at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2) in Moroccan city of Salé, near Rabat, was barely two minutes old when Canada went in front after a strong run by Molly Hale from the left was smartly finished off by Gabriela Istocki.

    The Flamingos rose stoutly to the challenge, contesting for every ball, and taking over the midfield. In the 9th minute, captain Shakirat Moshood’s long-range drive was saved by goalkeeper Khadijah Cisse, and four minutes later, Moshood’s volley from the edge of the box rose a little too high.

    Read Also: Ballon d’Or: NFF congratulates Nnadozie, Madugu

    As the Flamingos continued to pile pressure, Chisom Nwachukwu shot directly at Cisse from the left wing, but on the half hour, Cisse could not hold firm to Kaosarat Olanrewaju’s shot as Nigeria broke forward again, and Queen Joseph was on hand to bundle the ball over the line for the equalizer.

    The Flamingos came into the second half even more energized, and a good cross by Nwachukwu was punched away by the alert Cisse in the 68th minute.

    Five minutes later, Canada went 2-1 up after a long ball freed substitute Melisa Kekic, and she turned a defender before firing low past Elizabeth Boniface.

    With 10 minutes left, substitute Julia Amireh profited hugely as goalkeeper Boniface spilled the ball in an attempt to foil an attack by the rampant Canadians, making it 3-1.

    Six minutes later, it was 4-1, as Amireh outpaced the Nigerian defence and drove the ball to the far right of Boniface.

    The Flamingos will next take on France on Wednesday evening.

  • Lookman’s earns first season’s start  as Lazio hold Atalanta

    Lookman’s earns first season’s start  as Lazio hold Atalanta

    Ademola Lookman  earned his first start of the season  in the Serie A since the drama surrounding his future in the summer transfer window  as Atalanta  were held goalless  at home by Lazio  yesterday at the Gewiss Stadium  in Bergamo, Italy.

    La Dea were still unbeaten, albeit with a few too many stalemates, and their injury crisis calmed with the return of Charles De Ketelaere, Nicola Zalewski, Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini, with Raoul Bellanova, Odilon Kossounou, Sead Kolasinac and Mitchel Bakker still out.

    The Aquile rushed Mattia Zaccagni and Boulaye Dia back from injury, but Taty Castellanos, Nicolò Rovella, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Luca Pellegrini and Samuel Gigot were still sidelined.

    The Lazio injury problems intensified after just 22 minutes when Matteo Cancellieri limped off with a muscular issue, replaced by Gustav Isaksen.

    Atalanta dominated possession with long spells of fairly ineffective passing moves, whereas the first real save saw Toma Basic’s free kick sting Marco Carnesecchi’s gloves.

    Matteo Guendouzi also fired over the bar after a counter-attack sparked by Nuno Tavares and Zaccagni, while Ivan Provedel made his first save on 43 minutes when Davide Zappacosta slipped taking the shot from the edge of the area.

    Read Also: Veteran journalist decries NFF’s flawed electoral system   

    Lookman should have scored on 51 minutes but turned a free header over from six yards on the De Ketelaere cross with only Provedel to beat.

    Moments later, Mario Gila made a decisive interception as De Ketelaere pulled back from the by-line for the otherwise unmarked Lookman.

    Ederson scuffed the finish straight at Provedel after good work in the build-up from De Ketelaere and Lookman, while Nuno Tavares made a crucial block on the Davide Zappacosta volley.

    On the resulting corner, Mario Pasalic flicked it on to the back post only for Honest Ahanor to toe-poke wide from close range.

    Atalanta finally introduced a centre-forward in the form of Nikola Krstovic and within two minutes he had forced a save out of Provedel at the near post when springing the offside trap in the centre circle.

    Provedel made a sensational fingertip save on the Lookman finish that squirmed through a sea of legs, taking a slight nick off Adam Marusic’s shin. He also had to be alert on Krstovic’s looping header from the resulting corner.

    When the Lazio goalkeeper was finally beaten by a Davide Zappacosta angled drive on 80 minutes, he was rescued by the base of the upright, then quick enough to parry the Marten de Roon follow-up.

  • Rampant Sundowns put five past Remo Stars in Champions League

    Rampant Sundowns put five past Remo Stars in Champions League

    Mamelodi Sundowns hammered Nigerian champions Remo Stars 5-1 in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round first-leg on Sunday. 

    Masandawana unveiled a new front trio where new signings Nuno Santos and Reisinho started together for the first alongside Peter Shalulile.

    Last season’s runners-up made a dominant start in the 12th  minute as Tashreeq Matthews picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and thumped into the top corner.

    The Nigerian champions began to assert themselves on their South African counterparts, but the rear-guard of Masandawana dropped back and cleared their lines.

    Peter Shalulile doubled the Brazilians’ lead two minutes to halftime when he latched onto a through pass and calmly slotted into the bottom-corner.

    Read Also: NFF to review Chelle’s contract next month

    Remo came very close to pull one back right on the cusp of the interval with a point-blank effort in the area, but Rowen Williams pulled a fine stop.

    The South African champions were still on the front-foot minutes after the break as good work on the right from Khuliso Mudau unleashed Reisinho who finished easily from close range to open his account for the club.

    Coach Miguel Cardoso decided to bring on fresh faces ten minutes later in the form of Kutlwano Letlhaku and Arthur Sales.

    Sales put the clash beyond the host inside the closing ten minutes when he picked up a lay-off from Santos and volleyed in.

    Remo pulled one goal back in the final exchanges after Olasupo played a one-two in the area and wrong-footed Williams with a snap finish.

    However, the South African champions secured a fifth goal as Katlego Ntsabeleng combined with Lebo Mothiba to tap in from the area.

  • Warri Wolves, Kun Khalifat  record shock away wins  over NPFL giants 

    Warri Wolves, Kun Khalifat  record shock away wins  over NPFL giants 

    Matchday 9 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) produced a cocktail of shocks and milestones as Warri Wolves stunned former champions Enyimba in Aba, Kun Khalifat celebrated their first-ever topflight away win, and league leaders Nasarawa United saw their seven-game unbeaten streak abruptly halted in Lagos yesterday.

    Warri Wolves, inconsistent at home but ruthless on the road, once again proved their mettle away from Ozoro with a 2–1 victory over Enyimba in Aba. The Seasiders took the lead in the 18th  minute when Enyimba’s Hussaini Mohammed turned the ball into his own net. Although Edidiong Ezekiel quickly leveled for the hosts, Tejiri Emonena’s 67th -minute strike sealed a famous win for Warri Wolves — their third away triumph this season following victories over Barau FC and Katsina United. The result lifted the Seasiders to sixth with 14 points, while Enyimba slipped to eighth on 13.

    In Yenagoa, debutants Kun Khalifat achieved a landmark result, edging Bayelsa United 2–1 at the Samson Siasia Stadium. Uche Moses opened the scoring for the visitors before Jawad Mustapha equalised, but Michael Akano’s 77th -minute winner secured a historic away victory and back-to-back wins for the Imo-based side. The result lifted Kun Khalifat out of the relegation zone into 14th  with 11 points, while Bayelsa United dropped to 13th .

    Read Also: Ballon d’Or: NFF congratulates Nnadozie, Madugu

    Elsewhere, Nasarawa United’s dominant run came to a halt in Lagos as Ikorodu City inflicted a 2–0 defeat. Goals from Chidera Oparaocha and Joseph Arumala ended the Solid Miners’ unbeaten streak and closed the gap at the top of the table.

    In Ibadan, Shooting Stars climbed to second after a 2–0 win over Abia Warriors, while Niger Tornadoes demolished Plateau United 4–0 in Minna, with Abdulaziz Dalhatu netting the season’s first hat trick.

    Other results saw Kwara United edge Katsina United 1–0, El Kanemi Warriors beat Wikki Tourists 2–1, and Barau FC come from behind to defeat Kano Pillars 2–1 in a dramatic closed-door Kano derby.

    NPFL Matchday 9 Results

    Ikorodu City 2-0 Nasarawa United

    Enyimba 1-2 Wolves

    Bayelsa United 1-2 Kun Khalifat

    Kwara United 1-0 Katsina United

    El-Kanemi 2-1 Wikki

    Tornadoes 4-0 Plateau United

    3SC 2-0 Abia Warriors

    Barau 2-1 Kano Pillars

  • Impressive Lagos schools dominate  maiden Africa School Games

    Impressive Lagos schools dominate  maiden Africa School Games

    After three days of spirited competition in swimming, athletics and football, the inaugural Africa School Games concluded with a dazzling display of talent and teamwork at the British International School, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday, October 19.

    The event brought together young athletes from 11 schools, competing across U-11, U-13 and U-15 categories.

    Beyond the medals and podium finishes, the Games highlighted the vast potential within Africa’s grassroots sports ecosystem. Points were awarded based on medal performances, with several Lagos schools dominating the leader board.

    Hosts British International School, Grange School, RiverBank School, Supreme Education Foundation, and St Saviours School all featured prominently.

    St Saviours emerged overall winners in the U-11 category with 1,042 points, while Grange School topped the U-13 category with 1,168 points. In the U-15 division, British International School and Grange School were tied at the top, each scoring 909 points.

    Speaking at the closing ceremony, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to talent discovery through strategic partnerships and inclusive scouting.

    Read Also: Five2 Media’s Extra Mile wins best film by female filmmaker – Nollywood at TINFF 2025

    “One of our major responsibilities is to identify and partner with institutions and programmes that create opportunities to discover talent. Our technical crew is on ground, and many school coaches are opening their doors to us through this competition,” Fatodu said.

    Renowned sports content creator Dr. Kelechi Anyikude also praised the initiative, particularly its emphasis on grassroots development.

    “We need to tap into our grassroots. The Africa School Games is something that will grow. I’m especially excited about the swimming events. The more talent we discover here, the better we can compete globally,” he said.

    Reflecting on the success of the event, co-founder Aderoju Ope-Ajayi expressed pride in the athletes’ performances and revealed plans to expand the competition in future editions.

    “The past three days have shown us the resilience and strength of these children,” she said. “We’ve seen records broken in athletics and personal bests in swimming.”

     “ We’re planning to scale up. While I’m not sure if we’ll add more sports, we will definitely welcome more schools from across Africa,” she noted.

    Ope-Ajayi added that although schools from Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana had expressed interest, logistical challenges prevented their participation this year: “Next year, we’re ready to host the whole of Africa in Lagos.”

  • Adeniyi’s candidacy for wrestling federation’s boss  garners  support

    Adeniyi’s candidacy for wrestling federation’s boss  garners  support

    Dr. Femedein Timipre Okou  has solicited support for the candidacy of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as the  President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF).

    Dr. Okou, a member-elect of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, said with Adeniyi occupying the exalted position as the federation’s president , wrestling in Nigeria would get further boost.

    He  made the call while speaking to journalists yesterday in Abuja en route to the United Arab Emirates where he is expected to deliver a lecture titled: “Optimizing Physical Training Protocols in the Military: Balancing Readiness with Injury Preventions” at the World Military Sports Science Symposium.

    An Associate Professor, Okou noted that  Adeniyi has proven beyond reasonable doubt the best candidate to lead the Nigeria Wrestling Federation in consolidating the progress of the current board.

    “My endorsement of CG Adeniyi is built on expertise, passion and a deep understanding of wrestling’s intricacies. His leadership will foster a culture of excellence, fairness  and development, ” he said. “I call on everyone to unite behind the  Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in empowering Nigerian wrestling for a brighter future,” Okou added .

    Read Also: NFF to review Chelle’s contract next month

    The  respected international wrestling referee also used the medium to advocate for the urgent review of the referee’s career path in the Nigeria Wrestling.

    He  opined that for Nigeria wrestling referees to gain global relevance and maintain domestic integrity, its electoral cycle must mark a turning point that is merit-based for referee development.

    “Referees should be formally embedded in governance framework,”  noted the Executive Secretary, International Military Sports Council ,Abuja. “This is not a luxury—it is foundational.

    “Without trained, trusted, and professionally supported referees, the credibility of match outcomes, athlete confidence, and the overall integrity of the sport remain at risk.”

    “More than ever, the future of Nigerian sports depends on inclusive governance that values every stakeholder—not just those at the top. At present, Nigeria’s wrestling referees ascend the ranks through domestic competitions under a loosely coordinated system. While individual initiatives—such as military sponsored trips and ad-hoc scholarships—have enabled some officials to attend international courses, these efforts lack a standardized, nationwide development plan.” Okou explained.

    Meanwhile, Dr. Okou , a member of the World Military Sports Science Commission, will aside delivering a keynote address, be playing several roles at the World Military Sports Science Symposium such as chairperson to the CISM international symposium 2025 taking place in the United Arab Emirates.

  • Nigeria to host invitational football tournament in December

    Nigeria to host invitational football tournament in December

    3D Sports has  announced  plans to host a landmark international invitational football tournament  among some notable African national teams in December.

    The initiative, titled “The Motherland Heritage Cup”, is designed to commemorate African heritage, promote global unity  and celebrate the collective “return to the motherland.”

    Organisers  said the project is fully supported by the Federal  Government  and has also received the gracious endorsement of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who will serve as the initiative’s official Patron.

    The Senate President recognized the initiative as a major foreign diplomacy tool, cultural and economic driver, perfectly aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda through its focus on cultural diplomacy, youth engagement, and economic revitalization.

    To ensure the highest global standards, the tournament has secured the full support of the National Sport Commission (NSC) and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

    Read Also: Ballon d’Or: NFF congratulates Nnadozie, Madugu

    Both bodies will collaborate closely with the organizers, ensuring all aspects of the competition are conducted strictly according to FIFA standards for world-class delivery. An International FIFA match agent, Mr. Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sports has been engaged to coordinate the tournament to ensure world class standards.

    Project Director, Ayodeji Ogunjobi, emphasized the transformative potential of the event: “This tournament is aimed squarely at boosting the economy with the anticipated influx of people into the country.

    “It is also an opportunity to show the world that Nigeria is more than capable of organizing world-class sporting events on a global stage.

    “Crucially, it creates something significant for sports lovers to look forward to and attend, offering a healthy and engaging alternative to traditional entertainment like parties and concerts,” he added.

    The event is set to feature a unique blend of cultural immersion and elite competition, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a major player in African sports and cultural affairs. Further details regarding participants and other key information would be released in the coming weeks.