Sports
Nigeria’s Flamingos Win Historic First U-17 Women’s World Cup Title: Beat Japan 2-1
By Nick Ibe, Abuja
Nigeria’s Flamingos have put themselves in a class beyond the rest as they won their first FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup title by beating Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final.
The Flamingos are the first African team to win the competition, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku sealing the historic victory.
Bashiru first hit the net in the 39th minute, following an assist from Mary Dunstan to give Nigeria a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Then the Flamingos’ midfielder sent a dropping ball towards goal which the Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki could not hold and it slipped through her gloves to hit the net again.
Umejiaku doubled the advantage just two minutes into the second half, scoring in the 47th minute after being set up by Esther Stephen.
Esther Stephen sent a long, raking pass upfield, which Umejiaku chased down and controlled with her left foot before delicately lifting the ball over Kadowaki.
Japan fought back and reduced the deficit in the 80th minute through Fuki Ito, who converted a pass from Anri Ito to make it 2-1.
The goal set up a tense final 15 minutes, with Japan pushing for an equaliser while Nigeria sought to protect their advantage.
Kanyinsola Yusuf was booked in the 83rd minute, while the Flamingos continued to threaten through attempts from Umejiaku and Yusuf. Japan also had a late effort through Mashiro Yamaji, but Nigeria held firm.
Umejiaku was flagged offside in the 94th minute before the referee brought the match to an end after five minutes of added time.
The victory over Japan capped a remarkable campaign for the Flamingos, who recovered from a 2-1 opening defeat to Poland to win five consecutive matches on their way to the final.
The Nigerian side responded to the setback with a 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico before producing one of the tournament’s biggest surprises by defeating defending champions North Korea 3-1. The result ended North Korea’s 18-match unbeaten run in regulation time at the competition.
They followed up with a 2-1 win over Mexico in the Round of 16, with Oluebube Umejiaku and Mary Dunstan scoring to send Nigeria into the quarter-finals. Azeezat Oduntan then converted a late penalty in the 89th minute to secure a 1-0 victory over Venezuela and a place in the semi-finals.
The Flamingos sealed their first-ever appearance in the final with a 3-1 victory over Brazil ss Queen Joseph opened scoring in the 56th minute before Awawu Bashiru scored twice, in the 71st and 80th minutes, to put Nigeria in control.
Brazil managed a late consolation, but it was not enough to stop the Nigerian side from reaching the title decider.
According to Channels TV, the team’s response to the opening defeat was also highlighted by head coach Akeem Busari, who said psychological guidance and renewed confidence helped change the players’ attitude and approach. Captain Harmony Chidi had described the prospect of winning the trophy as a moment that would never be forgotten.
The triumph is another landmark for a team that had already established itself as one of Africa’s leading sides at the age-grade level. Before travelling to Morocco, the Flamingos won the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire, recording five victories from five matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding just once.
By Son Tertsea
Nigeria advanced into the final of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time ever as the Flamingos defeated Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final on Wednesday night.
Queen Joseph opened scoring before Awawu Bashiru’s brace sealed the impressive win.
Joseph slotted home from four yards to put Akeem Busari’s side ahead, and the lead was doubled at the 71th minute as Bashiru lofted a cross that sailed over the goalkeeper into the net.
She sealed the win with a well-placed finish at the near post to send Nigerian fans and officials into jubilation.
Brazil’s consolation goal came 89 minutes from Greise Kelly.
All goals were scored in the first half.
Nigerians jubilated a first-ever win against the South Americans as they reached the final in Morocco. It is the first time an African nation will reach the final of the tournament, and Nigeria is set to break its bronze medal feat of 2022.
The fixtures show Nigeria will play Japan who defeated favourites Korea DPR in the other semi-final.
The final match will take place on Saturday, November 7.
By Isa Abdul, Abuja
A Nigerian, Samson Adamu, has been appointed the new General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The appointment was disclosed by CAF on Sunday, on its website following a comprehensive recruitment process conducted by the continental football governing body.
Reportedly, Adamu had been serving as acting General Secretary since March, following the resignation of Veron Mosengo-Omba.
Mosengo-Omba subsequently became president of the football federation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The appointment took a competitive recruitment process, according to sources quoting CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, in the statement on its website as saying that the position was widely advertised and several candidates interviewed.
Adamu has worked with CAF for eight years, serving first as Director of Competitions and later as Director of Tournaments and Events.
“Adamu brings extensive experience in African football administration, having joined CAF in 2018 as Director of Competitions before subsequently serving as Director of Tournaments and Events.
“He has played a leading role in the delivery of several major continental competitions, including CAF’s flagship tournament, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations,” Motsepe was quoted as saying.
Adamu brings considerable institutional knowledge and experience to his new role as a graduate of the FIFA Master programme in International Management, Law and Humanities of Sport.
Adamu is expected to oversee CAF’s day-to-day administration and support the implementation of its strategic priorities.
He is the son of Amos Adamu, a former Director of Sports in the then Ministry of Sports and a former FIFA Executive Committee member.
The appointment places Adamu among a distinguished line of CAF General Secretaries, including members of Egypt’s Fahmy family.
Mourad Fahmy served from 1961 to 1982, followed by his son, Mustapha Fahmy, from 1982 to 2010, and grandson, Amr Fahmy, who held the position from 2017 to 2019.
Sports
Harry Kane Ends England’s 25-Year Wait As Alexia Putellas Clinches Third Ballon d’Or In Historic London Ceremony
By Felix Umande
England captain Harry Kane and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas have been crowned winners of the Men’s and Women’s Ballon d’Or at the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, 2026.
It was a historic night as the gala was staged outside France for the first time since its inception in 1956, moving to London to honour Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner, on the award’s 70th anniversary. The event was co-organised by France Football and UEFA and hosted by Thierry Henry and Kate Scott.
Kane won the Men’s Ballon d’Or after a phenomenal 2025-26 season, scoring 73 goals in 65 competitive matches for Bayern Munich and England. He led Bayern to a league and cup double and England to a third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup.
The 33-year-old becomes the first Englishman to win football’s most prestigious individual prize since Michael Owen in 2001, joining an elite list that includes Sir Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan.
“It being here in London as well has made it extra special. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was really tough this year,” an emotional Kane said as the Palladium erupted with chants of “Harry, Harry”.
Kane also claimed the Gerd Müller Trophy for Men’s Best Striker. He beat Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, who finished second, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who finished third.
Putellas won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for a third time, after her previous wins in 2021 and 2022, joining compatriot Aitana Bonmati on three titles.
The 32-year-old captained Barcelona Femení to a quadruple — Liga F, Copa de la Reina, Spanish Super Cup and Women’s Champions League — scoring 26 goals and registering 15 assists in 53 matches, before completing a summer move to Women’s Super League side London City Lionesses.
“I don’t know what to say. This prize is for Barcelona. That so many Barça players were nominated says a lot about the season we had. It was my honour to be your captain,” she said.
She finished ahead of Poland striker Ewa Pajor and Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw.
Spain dominated the night, claiming eight of 13 awards.
Full list of winners at Ballon d’Or 2026:
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich / England)
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona / Spain)
- Kopa Trophy – Men’s Young Talent: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain) — for a record third consecutive year
- Women’s Young Talent: Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
- Men’s Coach of the Year – Johan Cruyff Trophy: Luis de la Fuente (Spain) — after leading Spain to World Cup glory
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu (Barcelona)
- Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year – Yashin Trophy: Unai Simón (Athletic Club / Spain)
- Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll (Barcelona / Spain)
- Men’s Best Striker – Gerd Müller Trophy: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich / England)
- Women’s Best Striker – Gerd Müller Trophy: Charlyn Corral (Pachuca / Mexico)
- Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
- Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona Femení
- Socrates Award – Humanitarian: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal / England)
The assessment period for the 2026 awards ran from August 3, 2025 to July 19, 2026, including international competitions, with winners decided by specialist journalists voting for their top 10 players.
Kane succeeds Ousmane Dembélé, who won the 2025 edition in Paris.
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