Head Coach of Nigeria’s U20 girls, Christopher Musa Danjuma has selected three goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders and five forwards for next Sunday’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup second round, first leg qualifying match against their Tanzanian counterparts.

Goalkeeper Faith Omilana, who starred in Nigeria U17 team’s run to a first-ever FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup bronze medal-finish in India last year, is listed alongside fellow India 2022 star Taiwo Afolabi, as well as defender Comfort Folorunsho and forward Opeyemi Ajakaye, who also played key roles in India and were part of the Super Falcons’ defeat of Ethiopia in a 2024 Women Olympic Football Tournament qualifying fixture last month.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists have been training in Abuja for more than two weeks, and will take on the Tanzanian girls at the Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam from 3pm Tanzania time (1pm Nigeria time) on Sunday.

Both teams will make it a date again at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Sunday, 19 November, with the winner on aggregate progressing to the third round of the race to Colombia next year.

Meanwhile, The Confederation of African Football has picked Letticia Antonella Viana from e-Swatini as referee for the match, with her compatriots Patricia Mkhaliph, Siphiwayikhosi Nxumalo and Nothando Nkhumane as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively. Kenyan Margaret Omondi will serve as match commissioner.

For the return leg in Abuja, Rachel Nzigire from Democratic Republic of Congo will be referee, with Ngarassoum Victorine as assistant referee 1. Rachel’s compatriots Carine Puazi and Carine Ampur will be assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively, with Christine Ziga from Ghana as match commissioner.

FALCONETS FOR TANZANIA:

Goalkeepers: Anderline Mgbechi (Delta Queens); Shukura Bakare (Nasarawa Amazons); Faith Omilana (Naija Ratels)

Defenders: Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Semilore Oladeji (Naija Ratels)

Midfielders: Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons); Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Shola Shobowale (Nasarawa Amazons); Aminat Folorunsho (Rivers Angels); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens)

Forwards: Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens); Judith Okah (Remo Queens); Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Rivers Angels); Chisom Chima (Bayelsa Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Asisat Academy)

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Refereeing Development Committee/Unit has issued preliminary suspensions for 14 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) referees.

According to the committee, in a statement dated 6th of November, 2023, the move was in response to concerns regarding the perceived poor performances of the match officials in several NPFL matches.

One referee from Matchday 2, 1 from Matchday 4, 2 from Matchday 5, 2 from Matchday 6, and 1 from Matchday 7 are involved in the suspension.

According to the statement, the matches and officials affected by the suspension are as follows:
i. Niger Tornadoes vs Rivers United (Matchday 2) – Referee Bawa Buhari (GM)

ii. Niger Tornadoes vs Bayelsa United (Matchday 4) – Referee Chukwuka Jahlove (AN) and Assistant Referee Akinwale Tomiwa (OY)

iii. Sporting Lagos vs Niger Tornadoes (Matchday 5) – Assistant Referee II: Zachariah Nde (DT)

iv. Gombe United vs Plateau United (Matchday 5) – Referee: Saeed Abdulaziz (KT) and Assistant Referee Jimmy Aimugbonrie (ED)

v. Kwara United vs Sporting Lagos (Matchday 6) – Referee: Brown Ebenezer (AB) and Assistant Referee Atuwho Morrisson (DT)

vi. Sunshine Stars vs Abia Warriors (Matchday 6) – All four Officials
vii. Bendel Insurance vs Remo Stars (Matchday 7) – Referee: Imamu Maliki U. (KN) and Assistant Referee Sunday Azi (PL).

The committee further informed they would appreciate it if full videos of the games to facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of the officials’ performances.

Wydad Casablanca of Morocco took the advantage in the African Football League first-leg final after their 2-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns.

An own goal from Rivaldo Coetzee and a superb late strike by Anas Serrhat gave the Moroccan giants the advantage to take into next week’s second-leg decider.

Sundowns were punished for defensive lapses but know an early goal in the second leg could swing the tie back in their favor.

Coetzee turned an attempted clearance into his own net on 43 minutes as Montassar Lahtimi’s dangerous cross caused chaos in the Sundowns defense.

Sundowns fought back in the second half when Abdelmonem Boutouil converted a 74th-minute penalty after Yahya Jebran’s handball.

Meanwhile, Anas Serrhat, who entered the game a quarter of an hour earlier earned Wydad a 2-1 win with a ferocious shot to beat Rowen Williams in the 78th minute.

The home side nearly extended their lead but Hamdou Elhouni’s curling injury-time effort cannoned off the crossbar.

The match also witnessed a minute’s silence, after the death of Wydad Casablanca Oussamah Falouh, who passed away after being in a coma since last month after having a fatal car accident.

The second leg is slated for Pretoria at the 40,000 Loftus Versfeld Stadium on the 12th of November.

The South Africans will take encouragement from previous wins against Al Ahly and Petro Atletico en route to the final.

The duo of Gambia and Morocco will join Nigeria’s U21 FIVB team for the upcoming championship in Thailand.

The 3 countries qualified to represent the continent in the championship after coming out tops in the African competition.

The Team Nigeria duo of Yaro and Mbah departed the shore of the country on Sunday and champions Gambia will join them in Thailand on Monday and Morocco later in the day.

The championship is scheduled for 8th to 13th November 2023 at the Beach Event Roi in Thailand.

Super Eagles winger Moses Simon has been rewarded for his fine form at his ligue 1 side Nantes fc with tye player of the month of October award.

The Nigerian International made four appearances for Nantes in the month and provided one assist.

Simon scored 39.67% votes to beat three other players to the award. The players he beat to the award are Florent Mollet (28.6%,)Pedro Chirivella (20.75%), and Marcus Coco (10.98%).

The 28-year-old has scored two goals and provided four assists in 10 league appearances for the Canaries this season.

The club is however facing a huge issue in trying to tie him down to a new contract as he approaches the final six months of his current deal with the club.

Simon is expected to be included in the Super Eagles squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Ahead of the 2023 FIVB U-21 World Beach Volleyball championship, the Team Nigeria contingent is to depart the shores of the country on Sunday, November 5th,2023.

Nigeria’s male and female teams secured their qualification ticket for the championship after placing fifth and second positions respectively at the just concluded 2023 CAVB U-21 Beach Volleyball Championship in Morocco in September.

The women’s team settled for a silver medal after losing 2-1 to the hosts in a highly explosive match at the beach resort in Casablanca.

The championship holds from November 8 to 13 at the Beach Event Roi Et, Thailand.

With five representatives from the continent, both teams qualified for the World Beach Volleyball Championship in Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, Nigeria missed the last edition of the championship due to the outbreak of a virus known as Omicron.

However, the players have been in camp for over two weeks with the Nigeria Volleyball Federation organising a tour in Jalingo, Taraba State to prepare them ahead of the championship.

In an interview with newsmen, head coach John Iwerima said he was confident that the team would have a better outing in Thailand.

“The tour in Taraba serves as a rehearsal to give the players a competitive atmosphere for the World Championship in Thailand. We are preparing and believe that we will have a better outing. With the good preparation and the support we’ve had from the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, I believe we will give a good account of ourselves and make a statement at the World Championship.”

Prolific goal-getter sikiru Alimi has been named the Remo Stars Player of the Month for October

The former shooting Stars played his part in helping Remo Stars earn 9 points, scoring three goals in the process.

The other players nominated for October’s award were Jide Fatokun, Olamilekan Adebayo, and Sodiq Ismail are the players shortlisted for the award.

Alimi currently tops the Sky Blues Stars scorers chart with four goals, while right-back Ismail leads the assists chart.

The winner of the award was announced on the club’s website with the Alimi having scoping 52 percent of the vote, Sodiq Ismail getting 34 percent, Olamilekan Adebayo and jide Fatokun getting 8 and 6 percent respectively.

The Daniel Ogunmodede-led Remo Stars will visit Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City, as Bendel Insurance will be aiming to return to winning ways after a goalless draw against Akwa United, and the sky blue of Ikenne aiming to continue on their impressive runs.

Nigeria’s young prolific striker, Gift Orban has been nominated for the CAF Young Player of the Year award for 2023.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the shortlist on their X handle (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

Senegal has four players on the shortlist. They are; Pape Diop, Lamine Camara, Amara Diouf, and Pape Amadou Diallo.

Morocco’s Bilal El Khannouss and Absessamad Elzzzazzouli as well as Ghana’s Ernest Nuamah are also up for the award.

Burkina Faso’s Dango Quatarra and Souleymane are the other players, who made the list.

Orban, who is yet to make his Super Eagles debut scored 27 goals and two assists in 38 games in all competitions for Belgian club KAA Gent since his arrival from Norwegian club Stabaek.

The 21-year-old also entered the UEFA history book last season by scoring the fastest hat-trick ever in any European competition courtesy of his three goals against Istanbul Basaksehir.

Should Orban win the award, Orban will join the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho,Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala to have won the prestigious award.

Former Nigeria international Oladimeji Lawal has advised Nigerian Coaches to stop bemoaning their inability to get regular refreshment coaches on the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

Dimeji Lawal, the General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club spoke at the monthly Ex-University of Ibadan Footballers Association virtual interactive program, noting that the football authority should be absolved of the issues saying that it’s not supposed to be the priority or statutory agenda of the NFF.

According to him, “Whoever decides to be a Coach must seek opportunities to upgrade himself/herself as the job demands. There are so many avenues to do that these days and a lot of coaching courses are available at different levels. Any opportunity that is available through the football house should be seen as a plus not obligatory”.

It could be recalled that Nigerian Coaches have been clamoring for the NFF to organize the CAF Licensing Courses which was stopped 8 years ago.

In the same vein, the former Real Madrid player distinctively declared that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be crowned the next AFCON champions next January in Cote d ‘Ivoire.

The former IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan dazzling winger noted that Jose Peseiro has the players and the talent to win the next AFCON holding next January in Cote d Ivoire.

According to the former dazzling U-17 and U-20 World Cup silver medalist, “Nigeria will be the team to beat at the next CAF Nations Cup. I have no doubt about that.

“We have the generation of young African talents doing so well in various European top clubs. Not only that, they are young and have the opportunity to play with and against the best legs week in week out,” he said, beaming with total confidence about the talent depth at the disposal of the Coaching crew.

According to Lawal who was voted the man of the match when the Flying Eagles squared off against a Luis Figo inspired team at the group stage of the U20 World Cup at Saudi ’89, urge the technical crew to stop experimenting players, saying the time of trials should be over. We have had enough of testing and trials. Its time to build a formidable team with cohesion and understanding.

Dimeji Lawal, who currently serves as the General Manager of one of Nigeria’s oldest club sides, the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, said ‘I know the first eleven of Germany, England, Spain, Holland, and France, unless there are any unforeseen circumstances (injuries, sickness etc). Our coaching crew keeps searching for new half casts or European born players every day. That must stop now so that they can focus on team cohesion”.

The Nigerian national team has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts– Cote d’Ivoire, and fast-improving Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, who have qualified for a fourth straight edition in next year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to kick off on January 13 and end on February 11, with matches at six stadiums in five cities in Cote d Ivoire.

Cote d’Ivoire, seeking a third Cup of Nations title, will face Guinea-Bissau in the opening match on January 13 in Abidjan, while the Super Eagles, seeking its 4th title will square off against Equitorial guinea in its first match of the tournament.

Nigeria were last crowned Cup of Nations winners in 2013 in South Africa and the Ivory Coast succeeded the Eagles two years later in Equatorial Guinea.

The Zimbabwe Football Association( ZIFA) on Wednesday released the list of players that will prosecute their opening round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Zimbabwe returned to international football about 3 months ago after spending over 18 months under the ban by FIFA.

Zimbabwe head coach, Baltemar list consists of 28 players, and 16 of them are based outside the shores of Africa while the rest play in the South African Premier League.

Brito held a four-day camp last month to assess the players ahead of the qualifiers.

The coach and his staff worked with 20 players through 4 extensive training sessions, including a training game with a Northern region soccer league select.

Zimbabwe will face Rwanda in Huye in the opening game of the qualifier before facing the Super Eagles in the second game at the same venue.

Zimbabwe have never played at the World Cup.

The organizers of the Nigeria Premier Football League have rescheduled the matchday six fixture involving Doma United and Bendel Insurance.

The midweek match, originally scheduled to be held on Thursday, November 2 2023 at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe state, will now be held on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 at the same venue, according to the circular from the league management body to the two clubs and other concerned stakeholders.

The league management body on Monday evening announced the postponement of the match in a letter signed by the League’s Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi, conveying their decision for the shift in date to include logistics issues.

Bendel Insurance now turns their attention and strategies to Remo Stars in the Match Day Seven game, scheduled to be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin. Kick-off time is 4 pm.

The Benin Arsenals currently occupy the 9th position with seven points on the NPFL table after playing four matches.

Doma United will also shift attention to the Northeast derby against Gombe United on Sunday.

The Savannah Tigers have recorded a win, a draw, and two defeats from their opening four fixtures, sitting 16th on the log.

A brace from Rasheedat Ajibade and a goal each from Uchenna Kanu and Asisat Oshoala earned Nigeria’s Super Falcons a 4-0 win against Ethiopia in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games second-round qualifiers on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Falcons picked the third-round ticket 5-1 on aggregate after holding the Ethiopians to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Addis Ababa last week.

Meanwhile, a moment before referee Edoh Kindidje from Togo blew for recess, Oluwatosin Demehin sent a long ball forward and Kanu, who scored Nigeria’s first goal at the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in the summer, easily beat two defenders by watching the bounce of the ball, and then raced to slot past goalkeeper Tarikua Bergena for Nigeria’s first goal.

Five minutes into the second period, and just about the time she netted Nigeria’s equalizer in Addis Ababa six days earlier, Super Falcons captain Ajibade stepped up to flash into the net for Nigeria’s second goal, a cross from Oshoala as the Barcelona Feminine forward darted past two defenders on the right.

In the 68th minute, Oshoala turned scorer, heaving herself up to meet Kanu’s measured pull-out from the left with a close-range header that left Bergena helpless.

The visitors, now overwhelmed, sought to limit the damage, but it was not to be as Ajibade, lithe and sparse and dangerous as ever, sneaked in to bundle the ball past Bergena four minutes later after another cross from Oshoala.

Spain-based Ajibade nearly got her hat-trick on the dot of time, when she flashed a shot from 27 yards that went narrowly away.

The Victory however means the Super Falcons will now meet the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, who overturned a 2-0 defeat in Kampala to defeat Uganda 3-0 after extra time in Yaounde on Tuesday night.

The last time the Falcons played at the Olympics was at Beijing 2008, since then they have missed three straight games.

Ahead of the second leg of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifier, the Lucy of Ethiopia has arrived in Nigeria for the game against the Super Falcons.

The 35-person delegation arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday afternoon aboard an Ethiopian Airways flight.

Despite scoring first, the Ethiopian women’s senior team allowed the 9-time African champions to come back into the game, with Rasheedat Ajibade scoring for Nigeria as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Also in Nigeria’s Federal Capital is the squad of match officials, led by Christine Ziga from Ghana, who will serve as the match commissioner.

There is also referee Edoh Kindedji from Togo, with her compatriots Abra Sitsofe Agbedanou and Kossiwa Kayigan Awoutey who will serve as assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2 respectively. Yacine Samassa from Mauritania will be in the role of fourth official.

Meanwhile, The Ethiopian team scored 10 goals against Chad in the first round and must secure a win against the Nigerian side or play high high-scoring draw to reach the 3rd round of the qualifier.

The reverse fixture is billed for the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday.

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President of the Nigeria Football Federation Ibrahim Gusau has urged Nigerians to come out en masse to support the Super Falcons when they take on Ethiopia in their 2024 Olympics Qualifier at the Abuja National stadium on Tuesday, 31th October 2023.

The Nigeria Super Falcons forced their Ethiopian counterparts to a 1-1 draw in Addis Ababa on Wednesday and will now have to defeat their opponents in the return leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium to move a step closer to the 2024 Paris Olympics Games, where they will meet the winner between Uganda and Cameroon.

NFF President Ibrahim Gusau says his board is determined to build on the success of the World cup and qualifying for the games will be another major boost for the team.

The former chairman of Zamfara State Football Association however said the NFF and the team cannot do it alone and Nigerians must show their support by coming out to the stadium to cheer the girls.


” These girls need the support of everybody and one of the ways Nigerians must show they support the team is by coming out to watch team and cheer them”.

” This kind of support cannot be quantified and it helps the team to give their all infront of their home crowd” , Gusau stated.

The Nigeria Women team last qualified for the Olympic Games fifteen years ago in 2008 and the Ibrahim Gusau led board is keen to break the jinx this time around.

The organisers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) board has rescheduled five matches some matches due to logistics reasons.

This latest development was confirmed by the Chief operating officer of the NPFL, Davidson Owumi who stated that the teams affected are Rivers United, Lobi Stars, Doma United, Bendel Insurance, Rangers Int’l, Remo Stars, Gombe United and Bayelsa United matchday 6 and 7 fixtures has been rescheduled for logistics reason.

The rearrangement of the Matchday 6 & 7 fixtures are as follows

Matchday 5 fixture for this weekend, which was shifted from Saturday to Sunday, October 29, is

Stanley Eguma’s Rivers United FC vs. Lobi Stars FC

Matchday 6 fixtures

Doma United Vs Bendel Insurance encounter has also been moved from Wednesday, November 1st, to Thursday, November 2nd, 2023. As well as the game between Lobi Stars vs. Rangers International.

Matchday 7 fixtures

Bendel Insurance vs. Remo Stars clash, which was slated for Saturday, November 4th, has also been moved to Sunday, November 5th, 2023.

The game involving Bayelsa United vs. Lobi Stars moved from Sunday, November 5th to Monday, the 6th of November.