African Football

The Nigeria Flying Eagles produced another impressive display, beating Ghana 4-2 in the U20 WAFU B U20 Boys Cup to repeat their last 3–1 wins in the 2024 final of the WAFU B.

The key moments from Lycée Scientifique Stadium, Yamoussoukro Côte d’Ivoire

Nigeria looked sharp, clinical, and full of confidence, taking control of the game with an impressive attacking display from the beginning of the game which actually led to successful performances in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire in their opening Group B match of the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship

6:GOAL! The first goal of the Nigeria Flying Eagles was scored by Olayemi Ayinla after wonderful movement from a team-mate.

26: GOAL Ghana’s goals are level as Nigeria lose possession. The goal was scored by Mohammed Zaida to make the game 1-1.

The game was moved on with different game displays from both teams until 29 minutes when they got a free -kick. The Warri Wolves player Oraro Lucky, who played as a midfielder in the team, got a goal from a deflected free-kick at 30 minutes to make the game 2-1 in favor of Nigeria.

The Sporting Supreme FC product doubled the lead for Nigeria on 40 minutes through a penalty.

The Flying Eagles head into the first half break with a commanding lead over Ghana at 3-1.

The Flying Eagles maintained their momentum in the second half until
60th minute after Ghana being awarded a penalty and converted by Kelvin Nkrumah to make the game 3-2.

Ghana pulled one back, making the tempo of the game very high.
In the 86th minute, Nigeria made impressive progress which led to the second penalty being awarded in the 89th minute, and Adeleke who scored first penalty stepped up again to complete a 4-2 victory for the Flying Eagles.

Nigeria will take on Togo on Thursday, July 30, 2026, and Burkina Faso on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at 3:00 PM Nigerian time (WAT). Venue: Lycée Scientifique Stadium, Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire

Saturday, July 11th, 2026 marks the beginning of the Ibadan Southwest Coaches Association U-13 grassroots League two fields are used inside Liberty Stadium to witness 7 battles.

FIXTURE 1
Bornlengend 1 vs 1 prince stars
Swanlux 3 vs 3 fortunate
Adewale sc 0 vs 2 Teenage fc
Young Stars 3 vs 1 Document
Kick-Off: from 11 am
Venue: Practice Pitch Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State

FIXTURE 2
African vision 0 vs 0 Jaguar
Blue moon fc 4 vs 1 Brighter future
Christo utd. 2 vs 2 Gods Time
Kick-Off:11am

Venue: Red sound twice pitch Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State

The two pitches experienced an energetic flow of goodness which gave dynamic youth development where 23 goals were scored with
4 matches drawn and 3 matches won.
Be prepared for next week’s fixtures

FIXTURE 1
Adewale sc vs God’s Time 12noon
Prince stars. Vs young stars 1pm
Brighter Future. Fc vs African vision Fa
Jaguar fc vs Swanlux fc

Venue: Practice Pitch Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State

FIXTURE 2
Fortunate fc vs OK -Ado 12noon
Christi Ltd. Vs Document fc 1pm
Teenage fc vs Blue moon fc 2pm

Venue: Red sound twice pitch Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State

MESSAGE TO THE IBADAN COMMUNITIES:
Come with your chairs, come with your drums, come with respect. Play hard. Play fair. Referee’s decision is final. Let’s show why this league is one of the the best youth league in Ibadan.

An improved Benin were unable to hold on as they surrendered two leads against Nigeria Women and fell to a 5-3 defeat in the FIFA Women U-17 qualifier.

With a goal from Queen Joseph at 76 minutes that surpassed Benin u17 women at Lomé Togo, Queen Joseph scored twice in this game to give Akeem Bursari side the initiative, while Mark Akpan netted at 6 minutes to make the visitors lead on two occasions at
Nigeria 3-2 and in Lomé Togo home place for Benin 5-3, to make them 8-5 on aggregate and qualify for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, which is going to take place between October 17 and November 7.

Benin capitulated under the pressure though, with four goals within 19: Mark Akpan 6 minutes, Romiane Gandonou 11 minutes , Esther Enne Stephen 15 minutes and Queen Joseph 19 minutes.
Turning the game to be comfortable for Nigeria.
Poor defending from Take a Benin produced two goals in the second, one from Hermione Lookout on 56 minutes and Romaine Dungannon on 64 minutes. This effort made the game look to be equalizing, before Queen Joseph on a 76-minute goal put the stop too strong.

Africa as continent has produced many electrifying talents who deserve a great Ballon d’or . Only one of the past winners of awards who have claimed soil is George Weah, who won the Ballon d’or , achieving the feat in 1995 after a remarkable year with AC Milan. The second would have been Zainadine, but he claimed France which his origin is Algeria.

The two Moroccan Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz, currently the greatest players on the continent, set major records on the global stage.

Hakimi set the record for the most World Cup appearances by an African player (15 games), while Díaz holds the all-time record for most assists by an African player in World Cup history.

Here is a look at the African stars making and breaking world records:

Achraf Hakimi for Morocco & PG

Hakimi has surpassed previous records by other African legends like Asamoah Gyan and François Omam-Biyik to become the African player with the most World Cup appearances in history, with 15 matches under his belt. Why He’s Great: He has been a dominant force for both his club and the Moroccan Atlas Lions, playing an unrelenting schedule across the 2022 World Cup, the Africa Cup of Nations, the Olympic Games, and club tournaments without taking a summer off. Track Record: Widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, he has accumulated numerous top-tier club trophies including the UEFA Champions League, Series A, and multiple French Ligue 1 titles.

Brahim Díaz for Morocco & Real Madrid
Díaz set an African record for the most assists in World Cup history, four, a milestone he achieved in a single tournament. Why He’s Great: Playing as a dynamic playmaker, he has also rewritten the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) record books by becoming the first player in nearly 60 years to score in his first five consecutive matches at a single AFCON tournament. Track Record: Having played for some of Europe’s elite clubs, like Manchester City, AC Milan, and Real Madrid, he consistently performs at the highest levels of global club football. Asama Gyan (Ghana – Legendary Icon)The Record: Though retired, Gyan still holds a massive, unbroken FIFA World Cup record as the highest-scoring African player in tournament history, with 6 goals across three different tournaments (2006, 2010, and 2014). Why He’s Great: He was the talisman for the “Black Stars” and famously helped carry Ghana to a historic quarter-final finish at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, will head to the Stade De Kegue Stadium, Lomé on July 12 to play their second leg as they have a 3-2 win advantage over Benin in an entertaining FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match on Saturday in Ikenne, Ogen State.

The first-leg encounter at the Remo Stars Stadium lived up to expectations as both sides produced good football momentum but Nigeria U-17 is heading to Benin to play in the final round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. As was decided, the winner over two legs will be qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Morocco.

The halftime of the match between Nigeria and Benin at Remo Field took a lot of effort for the Flamingos to overcome how they are being stuck with Benin’s energetic moves, as Romaine Gandonou unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from outside the penalty area that beat Nigerian goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho on 16minute of halftime

Nigeria responded almost immediately. A minute after falling behind, captain Harmony Chidi came close to leveling the score, but her chipped effort sailed just over the crossbar after a good build-up involving Queen Joseph.

The Flamingos returned for the second half with greater attacking movement. Chidi forced another save from kounkpaga early in the half, while Favor Nkwocha narrowly missed the target with an effort on the hour mark.

Nigeria’s constant display of good moments was rewarded in the 62nd minute. Substitute Kindness Ifeanyi tested Kounkpaga with a fierce shot, and Adegbuyi reacted quickest to convert the rebound and hand the Flamingos a 2-1 lead.

The flamingos kept holding possession until 73 minutes.
Nazifatou Dangui finished off a move created by Gandonou to bring Benin back to a 2-2 draw at Remo.

As God wanted it, the hosts’ Flamingos, restored their lead in the 76th minute with a header from a corner kick as Ifeanyi Rose delivered the hosts to a home draw and make the ended on 3-2 favor of flamingo.

The result gives Nigeria a slender advantage ahead of the return leg, which will be played at the Stade Kégué in Lomé, Togo Sunday.

It is clearly stated in policy that the winner over two legs will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Morocco.

Wishing Nigeria best of luck.
Wishing Benin the best of luck.

According to the report from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the organization has issued a final warning to the 12 clubs who still own players and coaches Salary Arrears a directive to settle all outstanding salary obligations and comply with the decisions of the Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC) by July 31, 2026, any club who fails to comply will face automatic transfer ban ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The directive is contained in the NPFL’s comprehensive 2026/27 Calendar of Events, where one of the key pre-season requirements stipulates a cutoff date for clubs to redeem all outstanding salaries arising from the 2025/26 campaign or provide an acceptable financial guarantee covering the debts alongside a structured repayment plan from club proprietors.

The calendar also lists compliance with club licensing regulations, payment of players’ and officials’ salaries, and inspection of club facilities among the mandatory pre-season activities before the new campaign begins on August 28, 2026.

Under the new enforcement measures, any club that fails to meet the July 31 deadline will not be permitted to register new players during the first transfer window, with an automatic transfer ban remaining in force until full compliance is achieved.

Checks indicate that at least 12 of the 20 NPFL clubs are currently affected by PSA rulings over unpaid salaries and other contractual obligations.

Despite several months having passed since the committee delivered its judgments, many of the affected clubs are yet to comply with the directives.

The latest move underscores the NPFL’s determination to strengthen professionalism and financial discipline across the league, ensuring clubs meet their contractual responsibilities before participating in the new season.

The salary clearance deadline also aligns with the sweeping reforms recently approved by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which introduced a ₦2 million monthly minimum salary for NPFL players, enhanced club licensing requirements, and stricter financial accountability measures.

With less than a month in the time frame for compliance, the concern is that people affected have not seen a serious approach from the clubs. This could affect the beginning of the 2026/27 campaign, as is stated in the report that such clubs will not have the ability to register new signings.

Everything is set for clash between Falconets and Rwanda tomorrow at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Nigeria , Oyo State,Ibadan, as Nigeria’s U-20 Women’s National Team, the Falconets, take on Rwanda’s She-Amavubi in the second leg of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier. Kick-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Nigeria heads into the decisive encounter with a slim 1–0 advantage, courtesy of Alaba Olabiyi’s well-taken goal in the 70th minute of the first leg in Kigali. The Rwandan side arrived safely in Nigeria on Wednesday and have theirs final training session at the stadium ahead of tomorrow’s game .

With look of arrangement of falconets training this evening it see Nigeria u20 woman is going 4-4-2 formation Agaist their counterparts tomorrow . Although Rwanda ladies were at training today but nobody was allowed to
Peep training session but Rwanda coach through interviews said game between Nigeria tomorrow is going to be bone to bone .

The Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, has once again demonstrated love and commitment to sports development by providing all necessary facilities and ensures maximum security for competition and Spectators during.and after march tomorrow.

Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adefemi Adegoke, who was at stadium today to receive both teams to ensure the players coaching crew and staff of NFF enjoy maximum welfare at Ibadan.

Remember for the tomorrow game the state government has also thrown open the gates by giving free access stadium to cheer with Falconets for the victory .

from my Opinion I am very optimistic about Nigeria beating South Africa tomorrow.

Ask me why.

Firstly, it really shows in Nigeria’s players’ readiness for qualification for the World Cup. Although it seems to be late, but with quality and experience, players who are going to play in a team.

 Starting from the defensive line, the South Africa defender seems to be inconsistent and prone to costly errors, but solid individuals like Khuliso Mudau’s recent success in the recent matches in a FIFA World Cup qualifier shows improvement. Other individual lapses will give Nigeria victory. Although Nigeria’s defenses lack leadership, they still have stable defenders like Ola Aina and Ashleigh Plumptre, who are demonstrating high-level performance in club and international contests.

Nigeria has the stronger overall attacking force due to its strength in producing world-class attackers, but South Africa is currently doing well.

Remember, South Africa has never beaten Nigeria at home. We have had opportunities to meet six times, which Nigeria won three and Draw three. Let’s flash back to September 2008: South Africa 0 v Nigeria 1. August 2013 South Africa 0 v Nigeria 2. January 2014 South Africa 1 v Nigeria 3. September 2014 South Africa 0 v Nigeria 0.

March 2015 South Africa 1 v Nigeria 1. November 2018 South Africa 1 v Nigeria 1

Said above are just records, not permanent. Nigeria can only win the match tomorrow if they are all ready to play locally by applying African mentality ways of playing football.

Time for the tomorrow match is 5pm Nigeria time .and 17:00gmt

This two wonderful kids are perfectly doing well in various club scoring and assisting  the team  Malomo Taofeek Ayodeji and Tolu Arokodare.

Malomo Taofeek Ayodeji, a 21-year-old right-foot player currently at KF Bylis, makes me remember Andrés Iniesta with his ability to control perfectly and keep the ball in close space, combined with skill to score goals and good composure on the ball.

Toluwalase “Tolu” Emmanuel Arokodare is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for Belgian club Genk.
The 24-year-oldTolu Arokodare scored his 17th goal for Genk this season in a 2-1 home win over Union St. Gilloise on Saturday.

It is time for Nigeria national team coaches to look beyond players’ agents or NFF recommendations.

watch their highlight  to see little out of all