Alake Sports Centre to host inaugural RIYE Junior Boxing Championship

The RIYE Junior Boxing Championship has been scheduled to be held on October 25, 2026.
The organizers of the Boxing Championship announced that the first edition of the tournament will take place at the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta, in Ogun State.

The Boxing Championship is expected to feature 24 young boxers selected from the four zones of Ogun State: Remo, Ijebu, Yewa, and Egba.

The Tournament was coordinated by the Tunde Delu Initiative.

Each zone is to present six athletes: four male and two female participants to make a total of 16 male and eight female athletes.

The Championship will feature about 12 bouts, with eight bouts involving male boxers.
The female boxers will compete in four bouts across various age and weight categories.

The event organizers, Honourable Tunde Delu, said the aim of the Boxing Championship is to provide young boxers with a platform to develop their skills.

Hon. Delu said the championship is for athletes to gain competitive experience and showcase their talents.

He added that the Boxing Championship would also provide an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and other stakeholders to support the development of grassroots boxing in Ogun State.

The Boxing Championship is expected to be attended by former national and international boxing champions, alongside experienced boxing coaches.

The coaches will lend their support to the young athletes to build their competitive boxing experience.

The Tunde Delu and RIYE collaboration

The RIYE Junior Boxing Championship is part of the Tunde Delu Initiative’s continued commitment to youth sports development, grassroots talent discovery, and the creation of opportunities for young athletes to develop their potential.

The tournament is also in line with the Young Athletes Yield Initiative (YAYI) scheme.

The RIYE Under-15 Athletics

Championship across the Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba zones of Ogun State was recently organized by the Tunde Delu Initiative under the Young Athletes Yield Initiative (YAYI) scheme.

The athletics championship attracted more than 2,000 young athletes from over 200 schools across the state, reinforcing the initiative’s focus on discovering and nurturing sporting talents from the grassroots.

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Samuel Eto’o is facing calls for an investigation in Cameroon after the Association of Amateur Football Clubs of Cameroon (ACFAC) raised concerns over an alleged €567,000 payment linked to the 2023 friendly between Cameroon and Russia.

https://www.wansom.ai/briefly/news/acfac-complaint-samuel-eto-o-fecafoot-embezzlement_385652a4-3488-4a99-aa99-91132970977a?utm_source=

The allegations centre on claims that money intended for the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) was transferred to a bank account that, according to reports, was held in Eto’o’s name.

ACFAC has called for the matter to be investigated and announced plans to pursue legal action in Cameroon and Russia.

The allegations have not been established by a court.

Samuel Eto’o linked to disputed Russia payment

The controversy relates to Cameroon’s friendly against Russia in Moscow on October 12, 2023.

According to AFP, ACFAC says the Russian Football Union allegedly breached its agreement with FECAFOOT by transferring around €567,000 into an account that did not belong to the federation.

The figure reported by AFP is approximately €567,000, while separate reporting has put the precise amount at €567,570.

Reports based on documents reviewed in the case say the payment was connected to the appearance fee for Cameroon’s participation in the friendly.

The issue now being raised by ACFAC is not simply whether Russia paid for the fixture, but where the money was sent and how it was subsequently accounted for.

# The Cameroonian faces legal action threat

ACFAC president Abdouraman Hamadou Baba has announced that the association intends to take the matter to court.

AFP reports that ACFAC plans to file a lawsuit against Samuel Eto’o in Cameroon, while also pursuing a separate legal complaint against the Russian Football Union in Russia.

Baba has been outspoken about the alleged transfer.

In comments reported by Camer.be, he said: “You cannot ask or have money transferred into a personal account in execution of a contract.”

He also said ACFAC would pursue the Russian football authorities over the payment.

The association has said the legal action is intended to establish what happened to the funds and determine whether the transactions complied with the agreement between the two football federations.

The allegations against AFCON golden boot winner remains unproven

The claims against Eto’o should be distinguished from established findings.

No court has ruled that Eto’o misappropriated the money, and the current reports concern allegations and calls for investigation.

Al Jazeera, reporting on the allegations separately, said former FECAFOOT executives accused Eto’o of redirecting more than €567,000 in appearance fees into a personal account. The report also said Eto’o denies the allegations.

The alleged payment has attracted attention because the money was reportedly connected to an official international fixture involving Cameroon’s national team.

The destination of the funds, rather than the existence of the friendly itself, is at the centre of the dispute.

 Samuel Eto’o and FECAFOOT under scrutiny

Eto’o has served as president of FECAFOOT since 2021 after winning the federation’s presidential election.

https://www.wansom.ai/briefly/news/acfac-complaint-samuel-eto-o-fecafoot-embezzlement_385652a4-3488-4a99-aa99-91132970977a?utm_source=chatgpt.com

His administration has faced several disputes during his tenure, including disagreements with former federation officials.

The latest controversy follows reports from international and Cameroonian media concerning documents relating to the Russia-Cameroon agreement.

Camfoot, in reporting on documents it said it reviewed, reported that the contract for the match specified a payment of €567,570 to FECAFOOT but contained banking details identifying an account in the name of Samuel Eto’o at Qatar National Bank in Doha.

Those claims form part of the material that has prompted calls for further scrutiny.

The AFCON winner previously backed Infantino

The Russia payment allegations have also emerged shortly after Eto’o publicly defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Last month, Eto’o said Infantino “hasn’t done anything wrong” while backing the FIFA president amid pressure surrounding a controversial World Cup-related commercial proposal.

https://today-prod.rtl.lu/news/world/etoo-urges-support-for-embattled-fifa-president-infantino-887527095?utm_

The statement was reported by AFP and reproduced by multiple international outlets.

Eto’o has also previously praised Infantino’s contribution to African football.

The comments are separate from the Russia payment allegations and do not establish any connection between the two matters.

 Samuel Eto’o case awaits investigation

ACFAC’s planned legal action could now determine whether the allegations develop into formal proceedings in Cameroon or Russia.

The association says it wants the circumstances surrounding the payment examined.

The central issue will be whether the funds were properly received and accounted for under the terms of the agreement for the 2023 friendly by FECAFOOT.

Whilst the allegations against Eto’o remain unproven unless an investigation or court process establishes otherwise.

The Russian Football Union has also been named in ACFAC’s proposed legal complaint.

The next significant development will be whether the proposed complaints lead to formal investigations by the relevant authorities.

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Chelle selects extended squad for Russia Friendly fixture

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named two different Chelle squads for Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and October international friendly against Russia.

Chelle selected 24 players for the AFCON qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with the Super Eagles scheduled to face Madagascar on September 25 and Guinea-Bissau four days later.

Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi headline the squad for the two competitive matches. Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo were picked as the goalkeepers.

The defensive options include Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Chibuike Nwaiwu.

For the Russia friendly, Chelle has gone with a significantly different group, although some players from the AFCON squad have retained their places.

Nwabali, Isaac James, Fredricks, Fernandez, Osayi-Samuel and Ndidi are among those included in both squads, while Moses Simon and Akor Adams also feature on both lists.

The Russia squad also contains several less familiar names, with Chibuzor Atata and Samuel James joining Nwabali in goal. Kenneth Igboke, Victory Akpe and Abdullahi Bewane are additional defensive selections.

Chelle has also brought in Chibuzo Nwoko, Fumen Michael, Georges Wilfred, Popoola Abdulrasaq, Suleiman Mubarak, Jacob Adeoye and Raphael Onyendika in midfield, while Kelechi Iheanacho, Edokpolor Peter, Umar Abubakar and Abdullahi Umar are among the forwards.

The decision to use two separate squads gives Chelle the opportunity to manage his players across the competitive AFCON qualifiers and the subsequent friendly against Russia.

It also provides the coach with a chance to assess a wider pool of players while maintaining a core group of established internationals across both assignments.

The post Chelle Names Two Different Squads for AFCON Qualifiers, Russia Friendly appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

The Falconets of Nigeria beat England 3-0 to qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup quarterfinals.

The Falconets faced England‘s Young Lionesses on Thursday, 17th September, at the Stadion Miejski in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, in the Round of 16 for a quarterfinal berth.
This win marks Nigeria’s second win of the tournament following their 10-1 win against New Caledonia in their final group stage match.

  Tosin Rafiu opening goal  

The Falconets wasted no time in asserting dominance as they opened the scoring to take an early lead in the 7th minute through Tosin Rafiu.

Rafiu found the back of the net as she attacked down the left wing, weaved her way inside and out the England defence, and rifled the ball past goalkeeper Katie Cox to score her second goal of the tournament.

According to FIFA.com, Rafiu’s goal stands as a contender for Goal of the Tournament.

 Uzoma goalkeeper penalty save

Nigeria goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma then kept her side in the game with a brilliant block save against England forward Princess Ademiluyi in the 26th minute.
Uzoma went on to save a penalty in the first half after England earned an opportunity to equalize following a VAR review.

The Falconets went into half-time with a 1-0 lead.

Upon returning from half-time, the Falconets doubled their lead with a well-taken left-footed volley goal from Janet Akekoromowei.

Janet Akekoromowei has been named the Player of the match.

Coach Aduku introduced Mary Mamudu in the 61st minute as a substitute.

Mamudu sealed the win and put the game completely out of reach in the 73rd minute, rounding off a dominant team display to make it 3-0.

Precious Oscar provided the assist for Nigeria’s third goal.

Nigeria ended the match without conceding a goal, marking it the team’s and goalkeeper Uzoma’s second clean sheet of the tournament.

Falconets post-match reactions

In a post-match interview with FIFA, Falconets head Coach Moses Aduku said, “The English team is a very good side, and I think they underrated us; they never believed that we could play up to this level.

“But I said after the group stage that the World Cup is just starting. [After the game] I told the players, this game is gone, let’s have a short celebration because we have the next game to play so let’s focus on the next [one].”

Falconets quarterfinals record

Nigeria have reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup for the 9th time.
The Falconets have reached the quarterfinals again since 2022.

 What next for the Falconets?
With this victory and qualification, Nigeria stands tall as Africa’s sole remaining representative in the tournament.

The Falconets will travel to the Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź for their high-stakes quarterfinal fixture on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM WAT. They will face the winner of the highly anticipated Round of 16 clash between Colombia and host nation Poland.

After overcoming England 3-0, the Falconets will now look to continue their impressive run and secure a place in the semi-finals.

The post FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Falconets beat England 3-0 to reach quarter-finals appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

The Nigeria men’s volleyball team secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 African Men’s Volleyball Nations Championship after defeating Algeria 3-2 in a five-set thriller in Tunisia on Thursday, September 17.

The Zone 3 champions recovered from two set defeats to overcome the North Africans 23-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-12 and finish their group-stage campaign with another important victory.

The result also strengthened Nigeria’s position in the knockout phase as the team continued its campaign at the continental championship.

Nigeria men’s volleyball team survive opening setback

Nigeria started the contest on the front foot and established an early advantage in the opening set.

Algeria, however, fought back and turned the momentum around to claim the set 25-23.

The Nigeria men’s volleyball team responded immediately in the second set, producing a stronger performance to level the contest.

Nigeria controlled the second set and secured a 25-19 victory to make it 1-1.

Algeria regained the advantage in the third set, edging Nigeria 25-21 and leaving the Zone 3 champions needing to win the next two sets to take the match.

The team’s deciding set

Nigeria showed resilience in the fourth set as both teams battled for control.

The Nigerians held their composure and took the set 25-20, sending the match into a deciding fifth set.

The tie-breaker produced another tense battle, but Nigeria maintained its focus when it mattered most.

The team eventually completed the comeback with a 15-12 victory in the fifth set to seal a 3-2 win over Algeria.

The victory follows Nigeria’s impressive opening performance against Chad.

The Zone 3 champions defeated Chad in straight sets before facing Algeria in their final group-stage fixture.

The Nigerian team earn Masajedi praise

Head coach Ryan Masajedi praised his players for their ability to recover after dropping the opening set.

The Japanese coach said the team needed the victory and credited the players for responding positively when Algeria gained the advantage.

“I am impressed with the way the players picked up after losing the first set. The set was in our favor but the Algerians were lucky it went in their favour,” Masajedi said.

2026 African Men’s Volleyball Nations Championship: Nigeria seals quarter-final ticket

“The players have once again shown that they can perform under any circumstances and they picked up after the first set and we ended up winning the match”, said the Japanese.

Masajedi also said the result demonstrated that Nigeria’s opening victory over Chad was not a fluke.

“We started the tournament playing Chad and the victory against Algeria has cemented us amongst the favorites at the Nations Championship,” he added.

The team prepare for knockout stage

Despite the important victory, Masajedi warned his players against becoming carried away by the result.

He urged the squad to remain focused and prepare for the next opponent as the competition enters its decisive stage.

The coach also acknowledged the support coming from Nigerians at home throughout the championship.

Masajedi applauded Nigerians for their prayers, encouragement and continued support for the team in Tunisia.

The 2026 African Men’s Volleyball Nations Championship is being held in Tunis, with Africa’s leading national teams competing for continental honours.

Egypt defend African crown as continent’s best converge on Tunisia

The tournament also forms part of Africa’s qualification pathway for future international competitions, adding significance to Nigeria’s progress in Tunisia.

Hence, the focus now shifts to the quarter-finals, where the Zone 3 champions will look to build on their hard-fought victory over Algeria and continue their run in the

The post Nigeria Men’s Volleyball Team edge Algeria to book quarter-final spot appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

He presented 17-year-old rising star Iyanuoluwa Aderemi with a ₦500,000 cash reward for her outstanding performance in the women’s 400m at the 2026 Dynamic Athletics Meet.

Aderemi’s performance breaks Udo-Ubong’s record

Aderemi earned the prize after tearing up the track at the Yabatech Sports Complex, Lagos, to clock a remarkable 50.95 seconds earlier in August 2026.
The record is a new personal best for the 17-year-old, who comfortably beat the 51.80-second target set by Udo-Obong.
The Akoko, Ondo State-born athlete’s performance was one of the standout moments of the third edition of the Dynamic Athletics Meet.
This outstanding performance has brought renewed attention to her potential in the women’s 400m.

Udo-Obong’s pledge to the emerging athletes

Udo-Obong, before the race in August, had laid down a challenge and promised ₦500,000 each to the male and female 400m winners who achieved the stipulated winning standards of 45.50 seconds and 51.80 seconds, respectively.
Following her record-breaking win in an emphatic fashion, Aderemi received her reward on Wednesday, 16th September, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Udo-Obong encourages the athlete as an Olympic gold medallist

Udo-Obong was part of Nigeria’s gold medal-winning 4x400m relay team at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
He used this occasion to encourage the teenager to remain committed to her development.

He urged Aderemi to treat her breakthrough performance as the beginning of a longer journey rather than an endpoint, particularly as she looks ahead to the 2027 season.

The Olympic champion also stressed the need for stakeholders in Nigerian athletics to rally around promising talents such as Aderemi and provide the support required to help emerging athletes’ progress to the highest level.

The witnesses as Udo-Ubong presented the cash prizes

The cash reward presentation was witnessed by the Dynamic Athletics Meet Founder and CEO, Olabanji Ayegbusi.
Aderemi’s coach Adeleye Ogunmakinju was also present at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

Others who were present are Veteran coach and former national head coach Armelia Edet, Lagos State Athletics Performance Director Abiodun Ibrahim, and Lagos State athletics coach Bamise Emmanuel

Udo-Ubong’s contribution to athletics

Udo-Obong currently works as Technical Adviser to the Saudi Arabia Athletics Federation and has continued to contribute to athletics development beyond his competitive career.

He served as Technical Director at the African U-18 and U-20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta and also at the Niger Delta Games in Benin City, Edo State, earlier this year.

The Dynamic Athletics Meet, which began in 2024, has established a platform for young and established athletes to compete alongside one another while gaining valuable exposure.

Athletics stakeholders stated that Wednesday’s presentation marked another significant moment for Iyanuoluwa Aderemi, in a season that has already produced her biggest breakthrough yet.

Aderemi’s 50.95-second run at 17 has given Nigerian athletics another young 400m prospect to watch, while Udo-Obong’s fulfilled pledge has provided a tangible reward for a performance that could prove important in the early stages of her career.

The post Udo-Obong Rewards 17-Year-Old Aderemi after Stunning 50.95s Run appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Defending champions Black Maidens cruise past Burkina Faso in opener

Ghana‘s Black Maidens opened their WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup campaign with a 4-0 victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday, September 15, making a strong start to their title defence.

The defending champions scored twice in each half to secure a comfortable victory in their opening fixture.

Seidatu Wahab, Gloria Ameaa, Benedicta Danso and Hajara Adams were all on the scoresheet for Ghana.

The Ghana Football Association reported the Black Maidens’ 4-0 victory as the team began its campaign on a winning note.

https://www.ghanafa.org/black-maidens-thrash-burkina-faso-4-0-in-wafu-b-opener

Black Maidens break Burkina Faso resistance

The Black Maidens had to wait until first-half stoppage time to find the breakthrough.

Linda Achiaa won a penalty for Ghana, giving captain Seidatu Wahab the opportunity to put the defending champions ahead.

Wahab converted from the spot in the 45+3rd minute to give Ghana a 1-0 lead going into the break.

The goal gave Ghana the advantage after a first half in which the side continued to apply pressure in search of an opener.

The defending champions add three after break

Ghana continued from where they left off after the interval.

Gloria Ameaa doubled the advantage before Benedicta Danso added a third goal as the Black Maidens maintained control of the contest.

Hajara Adams completed the scoring in the 84th minute to seal the 4-0 victory.

The result handed Ghana all three points and provided an emphatic opening to their WAFU B campaign.

Their coach applauds teamwork

Head coach Joe Nana Adarkwa credited the team’s collective effort after the victory.

Rather than focusing on individual performances, Adarkwa highlighted the contribution of the different departments within his squad.

“We have an all-round team. Every department of our team is good. We always wanted to do something that will help the team, not individual play,” Adarkwa said.

‘Every match is preparation for the World Cup’ – Black Maidens boss on WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup

He added that the approach had been part of the team’s work since the qualifying stage.

“So you can see from the field that we play as a collective. So that’s our motivation, and we are going to continue with whatever we are doing. We started it from the qualifiers, and we won so many matches,” he said.

The Maidens prepare for Nigeria

The WAFU B tournament also forms part of Ghana’s preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Adarkwa said the team would use each fixture as an opportunity to continue preparing for the global tournament.

“It’s a very good game and a nice game for my girls. We are here to prepare the team for the World Cup. So every match is a preparation match for Ghana,” he said.

The Black Maidens will now turn their attention to Nigeria, with the two West African sides scheduled to meet on Saturday, September 19, in Ghana’s second game of the competition.

The meeting will provide Ghana with another test after their four-goal opening victory.

Ghana entered the competition as defending champions after winning the previous WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup.

Their opening result gives the side an early platform as they seek to defend the regional title while continuing preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The four goals were shared among four different players, with Wahab, Ameaa, Danso and Adams all contributing to the victory.

However, the performance was more than the goals for Adarkwa but his emphasis on collective play reflected the team’s approach as Ghana began the tournament with a convincing result.

The Ghanaian stars will now have to reproduce that performance when they face Nigeria on September 19.

Ghana’s opening victory has put the defending champions on the front foot, but the Nigeria fixture will provide another measure of their progress as the WAFU B campaign continues.

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The Abuja City International Half Marathon will return to Nigeria’s capital on November 7, with registration for the third edition of the 21-kilometre road race set to open on Friday, September 18.

The race is owned and organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited and will return after making its debut in Abuja in 2024.

Runners can register online, while those who prefer physical registration will be able to do so at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.

Abuja City International Half Marathon registration and event information⁠

Abuja City International Half Marathon builds on debut

The Abuja City International Half Marathon was first held on April 20, 2024, and was described by Nilayo Sports Management as the first internationally supervised half marathon in Abuja.

The inaugural race attracted more than 50,000 participants, giving the event an immediate presence on the capital’s sporting calendar.

The 21-kilometre race brought together competitive athletes and recreational runners, creating a platform that combined elite road running with mass participation.

The return in 2026 will give runners another opportunity to compete on the Abuja course while extending the event’s development beyond its opening edition.

Abuja City International Half Marathon attracts sponsorship

PremiumTrust Bank is listed as the title sponsor of the event, with Seven Up, Aquafina and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria also associated with the race.

PremiumTrust Bank has linked its involvement to athlete development, youth participation and the broader growth of sport.

Speaking on the bank’s support for the event, its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, said the race was intended to create opportunities for athletes to showcase their abilities.

“For us at PremiumTrust Bank, we are focused on creating an enabling environment for athletes to showcase their talents and compete globally,” Emefienim said.

He added that the competition could also encourage young people to view competitive sport as a possible career path.

Nilayo Sports Management serves as project consultant for the property and is responsible for sponsorship, branding and event delivery.

Abuja City International Half Marathon has international appeal

The race has also attracted athletes from outside Nigeria since its inaugural edition.

Kenya‘s Shadrack Ngumbau won the men’s 21-kilometre race in 1:07:58 in 2024, while South Sudan’s Gaspore Atalena claimed the women’s race in 1:20:23.

Nigeria’s Francis James of Plateau State finished second in the men’s event with a time of 1:08:02. PremiumTrust Bank reported that James was 17 years old at the time.

The participation of athletes from different countries has added an international dimension to the Abuja race while providing Nigerian runners with an opportunity to compete alongside athletes from other parts of Africa.

Abuja City International Half Marathon enters countdown

With registration opening on September 18, attention will now turn towards preparations for the November 7 race.

The organisers will offer both online and physical registration, with the Old Parade Ground serving as the designated physical registration point in Abuja.

The November event will be the third edition of the Abuja City International Half Marathon since its launch in 2024.

For runners, the 21-kilometre distance will require adequate preparation ahead of race day, while organisers will have to complete the logistical arrangements required for another large-scale road race.

The event’s development also comes as road running continues to provide opportunities for both established athletes and younger competitors seeking competitive experience.

The inaugural edition demonstrated the potential for mass participation, while the presence of international runners gave the race a competitive dimension beyond its recreational appeal.

The 2026 edition will therefore provide another platform for athletes to compete in Abuja and for the organisers to build on the foundation established two years ago.

With registration opening this week, prospective participants can now begin making preparations for the November 7 race as the Abuja City International Half Marathon returns for its third edition.

The post Abuja City International Half Marathon returns on November 7 appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Holders flamingos make flying start in Yamoussoukro

Nigeria controlled proceedings from the opening whistle, dominating possession and dictating the tempo as Niger struggled to cope with the Flamingos’ attacking movement.

Captain Harmony Chidi set Nigeria on their way in the 16th minute, finishing to give the side an early advantage.

The goal settled Nigeria into the contest as they continued to apply pressure and control the game from midfield.

Flamingos maintain control

The second goal eventually arrived through Awawu Bashiru, who converted clinically to give Nigeria a two-goal cushion.

The side continued to press for more before the interval, with Adegbuyi having a goal ruled out for offside.

Despite Nigeria’s sustained pressure, Niger Republic managed to reach half-time only two goals behind.

Nigeria’s dominance was also reflected at the other end of the pitch, with goalkeeper Onyinyechi Opara largely untested during the opening 45 minutes.

The team returned from the interval with the same attacking intent, moving the ball patiently as they looked for openings in the Nigerien defence.

Flamingos turn pressure into goals

Niger struggled to contain Nigeria’s pace and creativity as the second half progressed.

They remained patient in possession and continued to push forward, with the pressure eventually producing a late surge of goals.

Ohunene Sunday extended Nigeria’s advantage in the 83rd minute, making it 3-0 and effectively putting the result beyond Niger Republic.

The third goal opened the floodgates, with Mary Dunstan adding a fourth shortly afterwards to underline Nigeria’s control of the encounter.

Nigeria were not finished, however, and continued to search for another goal deep into stoppage time.

Flamingos seal emphatic opening win

Ayomide Rotimi completed the scoring in the 94th minute, finding the net for Nigeria’s fifth goal and putting the finishing touch to a commanding opening-day performance.

The 5-0 result gave the team a clean sheet and five goals from their first match of the competition.

It also provided an early statement from the defending champions, who combined attacking efficiency with defensive discipline throughout the encounter.

The victory continues the Flamingos’ strong presence in the WAFU-B U17 competition. Nigeria won the inaugural edition in 2024 after defeating Ghana in the final, while Harmony Chidi was among the standout performers during that campaign.

Squad builds towards World Cup

The WAFU-B tournament is also an important preparation platform for Nigeria ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The NFF previously confirmed that the Flamingos were among the WAFU-B representatives heading to the global tournament, alongside Ghana, while Kenya and Zambia also qualified from other regional zones. (Nigerian Football Federation⁠)

Akeem Busari‘s side have already secured their place at the World Cup after overcoming Benin Republic 8-5 on aggregate in the final qualifying round. Nigerian Football Federation⁠

The Flamingos will now look to build on Wednesday’s victory as their WAFU-B campaign continues.

With five goals scored, a clean sheet recorded and several players contributing to the result, Nigeria have made a strong start to their title defence in Yamoussoukro.

The post Flamingos open WAFU-B title defence with 5-0 riot appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

The CAF A-License coaching course has returned to Nigeria after a nine-year hiatus, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officially relaunching the elite coaching programme in Abuja.

The return marks a significant development in Nigeria’s coaching education programme, with 25 coaches taking part in the course designed to broaden their technical and tactical knowledge.

The NFF had earlier confirmed that Nigeria was readmitted to the CAF A-License Convention after nine years, allowing the Federation to resume the elite coaching programme in the country. (Nigerian Football Federation⁠)

Speaking at the opening ceremony, NFF Acting General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme thanked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for its support in restoring Nigeria to the coaching convention.

“I want to, on behalf of the NFF, appreciate CAF for returning Nigeria to the CAF A-License Convention. At a point, it became somewhat embarrassing that this elite coaching course took so long to return to our country,” Ikpeme said.

He also commended NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen and his team for their efforts in convincing CAF to restore Nigeria to the convention.

Ikpeme urged the 25 participating coaches to approach the programme with an open mind and remain attentive throughout the course.

He said the coaches must broaden their worldview and acquire modern technical and tactical knowledge that would enable them to compete with leading coaches in Africa and around the world.

CAF A-License targets coaching development

The Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Philip Shaibu, also welcomed the return of the programme and praised the NFF for bringing the elite coaching course back to Nigeria.

Shaibu disclosed that research by the NIS had identified more than 40,000 coaches in Nigeria who are not certified.

“I want to thank the NFF for bringing this elite coaching programme back to our shores after so many years. From our research in Nigeria, we discovered over 40,000 coaches in Nigeria are not certified,” Shaibu said.

He expressed confidence that continued collaboration between the NFF and NIS could help position Nigeria as a major hub for coaching education in Africa.

The NFF had previously stated that the CAF A-License course forms part of its broader strategy to strengthen coaching capacity across the country. The seven-month programme is being delivered across six modules, with the course limited to 25 participants.

Eguavoen excited by CAF A-License return

Eguavoen, who played a key role in the process of restoring the programme, expressed his delight at seeing the course finally return to Nigeria.

“I think I am the most excited person here today. I don’t know about any other person, but since this thing is back, and it’s back to stay, we will build on it,” Eguavoen said.

He added that the objective would be to build on the programme and continue progressing towards higher levels of coaching education.

The CAF A-License sits within CAF’s coaching development pathway and is designed for elite youth and senior amateur football, with CAF’s coaching framework listing 25 participants for the programme. (Confédération Africaine de Football⁠)

CAF A-License brings stakeholders together

The opening ceremony was attended by several officials and stakeholders, including NFF Acting Deputy General Secretary Dr Ademola Olajire, Director of Legal Services Okey Obi, NFF Head of Coaching Education Dr Terry Eguaoje and CAF Coaching Educator Michael Amanga.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle was also present, alongside NIS Chief Librarian Dr Omo Atsenokhai, NIS Deputy Director (Technical) Faith Omon Ben-Anuge, NWFL Chief Operating Officer Modupe Shabi and Assistant Director of Coaching and Development AbdulRafiu Yusuf.

The return of the CAF A-License course provides Nigeria with an opportunity to strengthen its pool of qualified coaches while creating a structured pathway for technical development.

This programme represents an opportunity for the participating coaches to gain advanced knowledge and apply modern coaching methodologies as they seek to operate at higher levels of the game.

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