Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has won the October Player of The Month award in the Saudi Arabia Women’s League
Plumptre just sealed her transfer to Saudi Arabia-based Al Ittihad in the summer following the expiration of her contract at English side Leicester City.
The versatile 25-year-old wasted no time in blending into the team, as she scored a hattrick on her competitive debut for Al Ittihad when they played hosts to Eastern Flames in their opening game of the 2023/24 Saudi Arabian Women’s League.
Following that game, Al Ittihad has played three more, winning two of those and drawing once. Plumptre played a big role in those results, as she averaged 84 minutes per game. Her side also kept three clean sheets in their four games.
Following the results, Plumptre was nominated for the Player of the Month award in the Saudi Women’s League.
Plumptre won the award, beating off competition from Al Nassr stars Lina Busaha and Clara Luvanga.
The winner of the award was decided via an X(formerly Twitter) poll. Plumptre pulled 54% of the votes, Luvanga had 41%, and Busaha had 6%.
In an advanced position, Plumptre would wreak havoc for Al-Ittihad as they dismantled Eastern Flames 3-0 in a Saudi Arabian Women’s League opener played on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
One of her strikes has now picked up the Goal of the Month in the Women’s League in Saudi Arabia.
Zimbabwe coach Baltemar Brito has declared that they will not show any respect for Nigeria when they meet in their second game of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Warriors just like Nigeria played out a draw against their opponent( Rwanda) in the opening group match.
They will confront the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a game they must win to brighten their chances in the qualifiers.
The Super Eagles are the overwhelming favourites to win the highly anticipated encounter but Brito is not thinking along that line.
The Brazilian stated that his side have what it takes to beat their highly-rated opponent.
“At this level, all opponents play to win. Even we[Zimbabwe], will play for a win against Nigeria,” Baltemar said via the ZFA page.
“People will expect a revenge from Nigeria because they drew their first game[against Lesotho].
“But they are not playing against a small or weak nation. They will come strong, but we will come strong too. We are here to face them.”
A draw will put Nigeria in a precarious position if South Africa defeats Rwanda in their second game. Only the group leaders get automatic World Cup tickets.
South Africa kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign in brilliant fashion after they defeated Benin Republic 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.
The Bafana Bafana are close favorites with Nigeria finishing ahead of Benin, Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe in the race to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
And after Nigeria only settled for a disappointing 1-1 draw with Lesotho on Thursday, South Africa made sure they did not fall into the same trap as they saw off the stubborn challenge of the Beninoise.
Former Brighton forward Percy Tau gave the Bafana Bafana the lead with only two minutes played before Khuliso Johnson Mudau doubled their advantage shortly before the halftime break.
Brest striker Steve Mounié scored for Benin midway through the second half to reduce the deficit for the Cheetahs.
However, the West Africans, managed by former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, could not muster the equaliser despite creating a late flurry of chances.
The win sends South Africa to the top of Group C, a position they will look to consolidate when they travel to face Rwanda on Tuesday, November 21.
With Rwanda playing a goalless draw with Zimbabwe on matchday one, the two teams are locked on one point with Nigeria and Lesotho.
The Super Eagles could, however, turn things around for the better when they lock horns with Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Rwanda on Sunday.
The former African champions will target a fifth win in seven appearances against the Warriors.
The Super Eagles’ delegation to Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualification series Day 2 encounter against the Warriors of Zimbabwe will arrive in Rwanda – Zimbabwe’s adopted home – in the early hours of Saturday, November 18, 2023.
The delegation of players and officials will travel to East Africa aboard a chartered aircraft that will depart from the Victor Attah International Airport by midnight, and touch down in Kigali at dawn, before a two-hour road trip to Butare, the city where the match venue (Huye Stadium) is located.
The 20,000-capacity Huye Stadium has an artificial turf, but the Eagles have voiced a collective decision not to be bothered about the playing turf as they seek the maximum three points.
After a 1-1 draw with Lesotho’s Crocodiles in Uyo on Thursday evening, Coach Jose Peseiro and his charges quietly committed to facing the remaining nine matches of the qualification series with a much stronger mentality, with victory in each match the only option.
With Rwanda on the high-altitude plane, it was decided that the Eagles fly into the country, have their official training session and play the match before the unfamiliar climate began to take its toll.
Zimbabwe’s Warriors, who clashed with Rwanda’s Amavubi in their Day 1 fixture – which ended scoreless – have been training on the artificial turf of the Huye Stadium since arriving in Rwanda at the weekend, and faced the home team on the same turf.
The Eagles and the Warriors will clash at the Huye Stadium from 3pm Rwanda time (1pm Nigeria). Victory on Sunday will take the Super Eagles to four points with the campaign one-fifth of the way gone.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Super Eagles is set to play Zimbabwe on Sunday without injured Taiwo Awoniyi, He was subbed off for Terem Moffi in the 59th minute due to the groin injury he sustained in the course of the game against Lesotho.
However, the Confederation of African Football CAF has announced that Souleiman Ahmed Djama from Djibouti will be the referee, to be assisted by his countrymen Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed (assistant referee 1), Rachid Waiss Bouraleh (assistant referee 2) and Mohamed Diraneh Guedi (fourth official).
Yohannes Ghirmai Ghebregziabher from Eritrea will be in the role of referee assessor and Raphael Lyson Humba from Malawi will be the match commissioner.
The Warriors of Zimbabwe will wear black armbands in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria’s Super Eagles to honor the passing of former coach Rahman Gumbo.
The Zimbabwe Football Association made this known on their X handle.
Gumbo died on Friday, November 10, 2023, in Botswana after a suspected heart attack.
Popularly known as Rush in football circles, Gumbo died in Botswana after a suspected heart attack at the age of 59.
He was initially appointed to the managerial position of the Warriors in 2005 but was sacked following a 3–0 home loss against Nigeria.
He is survived by his wife Virginia Gumbo and four children.
His body is expected in Bulawayo from Botswana today (Thursday 16 November)
A memorial service for the legendary Gumbo will be held at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre at 2pm on Friday, November 17, 2023.
He will be laid to rest on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo.
The names of the elite proponents of women’s football have been put forward by CAF.
The continental governing body will have its annual awards on December 11th in Marrakech, Morocco, and will have seven categories dedicated to the women’s game.
Women’s Player of the Year and Women’s Coach of the Year are the standout individual awards while team awards will also be handed out to both national teams and clubs.
A preliminary nominees list containing 30 names has been released by CAF for the Women’s Player of the Year award.
On it are seven Nigerians, six South Africans and five Moroccans. Zambia and Malawi were nations that also had more than one nominee.
CAF will hand out a goalkeeper of the year award for the first time this year, with Morrocco and South Africa each having two candidates from the list of 10.
Ballon d’Or nominee and Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala; Rasheedat Ajibade, including Uchenna Kanu, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Osinachi Ohale, Toni Payne, and Christy Ucheibe.
Also, the Super Falcons’ head coach, Randy Waldrum, was listed as one of the nominees for coach of the year.
Meanwhile, Deborah Abiodun, Esther Ajakaye, and Oluwatosin Demehin were nominated for Best Young Player of the Year.
Demehin and Abiodun were part of Super Falcons’ squad to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Centre-back Demehin played in all of Nigeria’s four games at the competition.
The 21-year-old paired Osinachi Ohale at the heart of Nigeria’s defence.
Diminutive midfielder, Abiodun was a surprise inclusion in Nigeria’s squad to the World Cup.
The 20-year-old started the Super Falcons first game against against Canada.
Abiodun was sent off in stoppage time but earned plaudits for her impressive display in the game.
Player of the Year (Women) nominees
Ajara Nchout Njoya (Cameroon, Internazionale Milano) Evelyn Badu (Ghana, Avaldnes) Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi, Paris Saint-Germain) Temwa Chawinga (Malawi, Wuhan Jiangda) Anissa Lahmari (Morocco, Levante Las Planas) Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR) Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco, AS FAR) Ibtissam Jraidi (Morocco, AS FAR/Al Ahli) Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco, AS FAR) Zenatha Coleman (Namibia, Fenerbahce) Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona) Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC) Christy Ucheibe (Nigeria, Benfica) Osinachi Ohale (Nigeria, Alaves/Pachuca) Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria, Atletico Madrid) Toni Payne (Nigeria, Sevilla) Uchenna Kanu (Nigeria, Tigres/Racing Louisville) Ndeye Awa Diakhaté (Senegal, Olympique de Marseille) Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns) Hilda Magaia (South Africa, Sejong Sportstoto) Jermaine Seoposenwe (South Africa, Juarez/Monterrey) Linda Motlhalo (South Africa, Glasgow City) Refiloe Jane (South Africa, Sassuolo) Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa, Racing Louisville) Afi Sabine Woedikou (Togo, Strasbourg/Nantes) Sabrina Ellouzi (Tunisia, Excelsior) Fazila Ikwaput (Uganda, Kampala Queens) Barbara Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli) Grace Chanda (Zambia, Madrid CFF) Rachael Kundananji (Zambia, Madrid CFF)
Nigeria’s Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi made her debut for Naija Ratels in the Nigeria Women’s Football League.
According to records, Onome last featured in the Women’s division back in 2008 for Bayelsa Queens.
Naija Ratels lost 3-1 at the Aguyi Ironsi Mini Stadium, Abuja.
Ebi assisted Davis in scoring the consolation goal for the Abuja-based club. The game was the 40-year-old defender’s debut appearance for Naija Ratels.
Ojiyovwi Kesiena opened the scoring for Amazons in the 41st minute before a double from Ayatsea Hambafan in the added minutes of the first half.
However was a dream come true for the ladies playing alongside their idol and role model.
Tony Bolus has been reinstated as head coach of Katsina United.
Bolus was asked to step aside this week by the club’s management due to perceived technical ineptitude.
His stepping down notice was contained in a letter made available to newsmen dated 13th November 2023, and signed by the Secretary, Aminu Alhassan with the title ‘Notice of Stepping Down’.
The letter reads in part, “I am directed by the Katsina United Football Club to ask you to step aside from your position as Technical Adviser of the team. The management frowned at your Technical ineptitude since the beginning of the season which is seriously affecting the performance of our team. The management will set up a committee to look into all these acts with their findings and report submitted in no distance time.”
Tony Bulus, the former Yobe Stars head coach signed a two-year contract with Katsina United in August this year.
However, Katsina United Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Yusuf Jirdede ordered an immediate return of the former MFM coach.
The Chanji Boys have struggled on their return to the top flight following a season in the Nigeria National League, NNL.
The club has recorded three wins, two draws, and three losses after eight games in the NPFL this season and placed 11th on the log with 11 points.
The preparation of Nigeria’s Super Eagles for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho and Zimbabwe suffered a huge setback on Monday due to the withdrawal of Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
The youngster returned to the Super Eagles team for the last International friendly games against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique after spending over a year out of the team.
The former Watford FC goalkeeper on Monday withdrew from the team and the team technical crew has quickly drafted in Bendel Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie as a replacement for him.
This is a big blow for the team as they are already without Adebayo Adeleye. As it stands, Francis Uzoho is the only experienced goalkeeper in camp.
Obasogie has been involved in seven games for Bendel Insurance this season, and he has kept six clean sheets, conceding just one goal.
Nigeria will play Lesotho on the 16th of November before traveling to Zimbabwe for their second group game on the 19th.
The prices of three categories of tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Lesotho have officially been confirmed.
According to the General Coordinator of the Local Organizing Committee, Elder Paul Bassey, the regular ticket for the popular stand would be sold for N1,000, the VIP tickets will go for N2,000 while the VVIP tickets are pegged at N5,000.
He said sales points for the tickets, which will be strategically spread for easy purchase across the state, would be announced 48 hours before the match day.
The game which will hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Thursday by 5 pm, is the first game of the 2026 World Cup qualifying match for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles defender Jamilu Collins says the team is battle-ready for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Lesotho.
Collins stated that he and his teammates are looking to start their campaign in style.
“We are excited for the games coming up, everyone called up is looking forward to it,” the left-back told the Super Eagles media.
Omeruo, Sadiq Umar and jamilu Collins
“The mindset is Let’s do it again, the one you guys are promoting at the moment. We believe in Nigerians, we know they will always support us. We are always grateful to the fans for their support. We want to give them a good result.”
Collins recently returned to the national team set up after an achilles tendon injury kept him on the sidelines for almost a year.
The former Paderborn player will now have to battle Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi for a spot in the team.
Nigeria’s Falconets held Tanzania to a 1-1 draw away in the first leg, third round of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers on Sunday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
After a scoreless first half, substitute Chioma Olise opened the scoring for the Falconets in the 60th minute of the game.
But Tanzania equalised thanks to Asnath Ubamba who netted in the 71st minute from a free kick to which Nigeria’s goalkeeper Anderlin Mgebchi had no answer.
Both teams fought hard to establish superiority at the tail end of the encounter on the artificial turf, but the scoreline remains unchanged till the end of proceedings.
The second leg will take place inside the Moshood Abiola stadium in Abuja on Sunday, 19 November 2023.
Falconets advance to the third round through a walkover after Mauritius withdrew prior to the first leg.
Four teams will represent Africa at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
At the 2022 U-20 women’s World Cup the Falconets got to the quarter-final and lost 2-0 to Netherlands.
The Falconets are expected back in the country on Tuesday.
Bayelsa United goal-getter Robert Mizo has won the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, Player of the Month award for September/October
Mizo scored five goals in the month including a hat-trick and a brace against Akwa United and Kwara United, respectively.
He beat veteran forward Sikiru Alimi, Ismaila Sodiq, Kazeem Ogunleye, Jonathan Alukwu and Michael Olusesi to the award.
The Bayelsa United forward currently tops the scorers chart in the NPFL with six goals.
Meanwhile, in the coaching category Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede won the Coach of the Month award.
Ogunmodede’s side recorded three wins in four games played in October.
Remo Stars are two points behind League leaders Lobi Stars who are on 14 points.
However, plateau_united’s Bernard Mundi won the #NPFL24 Fans’ Goal of the Month for September/October, edging Andy okpe, Jonathan Alukwu and Issac Saviour to the accolade.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it will launch online ticket sales for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 on Nov. 11.
A statement on the CAF website said it is aimed at attracting football fans across the continent and beyond for the African football event.
“Sales will go online on Nov. 11, with the first phase open exclusively for VISA payment card holders.
“Two days later, thus Nov. 13, public sales will go live on the platform.
It said the move seeks to provide fans the opportunity to secure their tickets well in advance for the tournament scheduled for Jan. 13 to Feb. 11, 2024.
The federation said a dedicated fully functional and user-friendly platform has been developed on the CAF website, to create a pleasant and seamless fan experience for interested persons.
Veron Mosengo-Omba, CAF General Secretary said the federation was committed to creating access to thousands of football fans, who will travel to Cote d’Ivoire to watch the event.
“Online tickets will enhance ticketing experience for fans of African football and the general public.
“The support from the stakeholders has been great and we are hopeful of meeting the increasing demands of the fans and the general public,” he said.
It said 25 per cent of the tickets for the group stage will be available for this phase of sales for fans to secure their seats for the 34th edition of the biennial football fiesta.
Ticket prices range from 5000 FCFA (about 8 US Dollars) for Category Three (3), 10000 FCFA (about 16 US Dollars) for Category Two (2) and 15000 FCFA (about 24 US Dollars).
Fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the group stage with an opportunity of six tickets for each household.
The African football fiesta is scheduled to kick off in the Ivorian cities of Abidjan, Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro from Jan. 13 to Feb. 11, 2024.
Head Coach Jose Santos Peseiro has invited defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, Francis Uzoho and Taiwo Awoniyi among a list of 23 players for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Peseiro sticks with goalkeeper Uzoho despite repeated poor performance for Super Eagles, Maduka Okoye and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielder Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Terem Moffi.
Defender Jamilu Collins makes a return after a long lay-off due to injury, and there is a first-ever call for Bayer Leverkusen of Germany forward Nathan Tella.
Spain-based striker Sadiq Umar also makes a return after a long absence.
The Super Eagles kick-start their race to the huge houseparty in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada in 2026 with a session against the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo next week Thursday, and then fly to Rwanda for a clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday, 19th November.
The 20,000-capacity Huye Stadium, located in the city of Butare which is 135 kilometres south of the Rwandan capital, Kigali, has an artificial turf.
Zimbabwe has adopted Rwanda as home for the qualifiers as no stadium in the southern African nation has been deemed fit to host the FIFA World Cup qualifying games.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy).
Bayern Leverkusen flying winger Nathan Tella has received his first-ever invitation to the Super Eagles as a direct replacement for the injured Samuel Chukwueze.
He will therefore be expected to make his Super Eagles debut in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe later this month.
He will therefore be expected to make his Super Eagles debut in 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe later this month.
Tella has pledged his international allegiance to Nigeria after he has represented England at various age-grade levels.
He hit top form to help Burnley win promotion to the Premier League on loan from Southampton last season.
It was a form that earned him a big-money transfer to Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga this season.
He is a direct-playing winger, who creates as well as scores goals.
He will follow the likes of Ademola Lookman and Semi Ajayi, who were born in England but have since opted to play for the country of their parents.
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