Days after the senior men’s national team of Nigeria, Super Eagles, dashed Bénin Republic’s dream of a first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, the senior women’s team, Super Falcons. are all set to stop their counterparts from the same country from reaching the Women Africa Cup of Nations.

Both West African neighbours clash in a final qualifying fixture for the 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations championship to be hosted by Morocco, and which serves as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, to be hosted by Brazil.

Ten-time champions Nigeria are the overdogs in this fixture by a country mile.

For both encounters, starting with the first leg at the Stade Kegue, Lome (Bénin Republic does not have a CAF-approved venue), Nigeria’s head coach Justine Madugu has called up a total of 21 players, including three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders and six forwards.

They include captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who was voted Player of the Tournament at this year’s Women AFCON in Morocco that Nigeria won, and who only on Thursday night scored for her new club (PSG of France) in their UEFA Women Champions League clash with Real Madrid, as well as goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie (Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year for two years running), defender Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Jennifer Echegini and Deborah Abiodun, and forwards Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Folashade Ijamilusi.

There are also Mexico-based defender Osinachi Ohale, hard-as-nails midfielder Christy Ucheibe, and forward Esther Okoronkwo.

The return leg is slated for the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta on Tuesday, 28th October 2025.

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels)

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Forwards: Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorrin FC, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens.

Mamelodi Sundowns have arrived in Nigeria ahead of their first-leg CAF Champions League clash with Remo Stars on Sunday.

The African giants arrived at the Muritala Muhammed Airport Lagos on Friday.

The Nigerian Premier League champions will be aiming for a comfortable home win with a good goal margin in this first leg of the second preliminary round.

The game will hold at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto, Abeokuta on Sunday, 19th October 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, the return leg will hold at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in South Africa on 26th October.

South African side, TS Galaxy has officially unveiled Super Eagles and former Remo Stars’ goalkeeper, Kayode Bankole.

The Nigerian goalkeeper who signed a 2 year contract joined the Betway Premier League side as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Remo Stars.

The club in an unveiling tweet said: “Welcome to the family, Kayode Bankole! A commanding presence between the posts and a true game-changer joins our ranks.

“We can’t wait to see you showcase your talent and passion on the big stage!”

On his part, Bankole expressed excitement to join the South African side saying: “A new home, a new challenge, and a new environment. I am happy to be a Rocket.”

Heartland FC will continue their preparations for the upcoming Nigeria National League (NNL) season with a high-profile friendly against Akwa United at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, on Saturday, October 18th, 2025.

The encounter serves as the return leg of the fixture played last month in Uyo, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The Naze Millionaires are keen to build on their steady progress as they fine-tune tactics and fitness ahead of the new campaign.

Under the watchful eyes of the technical crew, Heartland have featured in several test games to ensure adequate readiness for the rigours of the NNL season. One of their recent outings was a goalless draw against Solution FC in Awka — a game that offered the coaches an opportunity to assess squad depth and new signings.

The Owerri-based side will kick off their life in the lower division with an away trip to Ogbomosho to face Crown FC on November 15th, and the clash with Akwa United offers another chance to test their competitiveness against high profile opposition.

Supporters are expected to turn up in large numbers as Heartland continue to build momentum for a successful return to the elite league.

Kick-off is set for 4pm at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

Nigeria’s para powerlifting queen, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, has once again written her name in the annals of greatness after setting a new African and world record at the 2025 World Para Powerlifting Championships in Cairo, Egypt.

The four-time world champion stunned spectators when she lifted a massive 168kg in the women’s over 86kg category, breaking her own previous world record and securing double gold in both the total lift and best lift events.

The Nigerian star, who also won gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, has now extended her world title streak to four and continues to raise the bar for excellence in the sport.

In a tightly contested field, Wenjun of China claimed the silver medal with a 157KG total, while Nikoo Rozbahani of Iran (152KG) settled for bronze.

Reacting to her record-breaking feat, an elated Oluwafemiayo expressed gratitude to her coaches, teammates, the Weightlifting federation and the Nigerian Sports Commission for their support.

World football governing body FIFA has officially confirmed Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs, ending all doubts surrounding the Super Eagles’ status.
Nigeria secured their playoff spot after a commanding 4-0 win over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on the final day of the qualifiers.
In a statement released on Thursday evening via its official website, FIFA listed Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and DR Congo as the four African nations that will contest for a place in the intercontinental playoffs.
The statement read: “To reach the FIFA Play-Off Tournament in March 2026, four African teams — Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, and Gabon — will compete in a continental play-off during the next international window in November 2025.”
According to the fixture arrangement, Nigeria will face Gabon in the semi-final clash.
The winner of that tie will take on the victor between Cameroon and DR Congo for the sole African slot at the intercontinental playoffs.
The eventual winner of the mini-tournament will then battle a team from South America, Oceania, or Asia for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigerian international and highly versatile midfielder Zulkifilu Rabiu Muhammad has signed for Al Tersana SC, a top club in the Libyan Premier League, completing his move from Kano Pillars FC.

During his time with Sai Masu Gida, the former Rangers International, Yobe Desert Stars, Wikki Tourists, Lobi Stars, and Plateau United star proved instrumental ranking among the league’s top assist providers, key chance creators, and clutch goal scorers.

Chairperson of Nigeria Football Federation Referees Development Committee, Rtd FIFA Faith Irabor has been appointed member of CAF Referees Committee.

The CAF Referees Committees 2025 include the following:

President/Vice-President

President: Olivier Safari Kabene (Congo DR 🇨🇩)

Vice-President: Victor Miguel De Freitas Gomes (South Africa 🇿🇦)

Members

CECAFA :

1. Uganda 🇺🇬 : Ali Tomusangue (FR)

2. Ethiopia 🇪🇹 : Lidya Tafessa (EN)

COSAFA :

3. Angola 🇦🇴 : Inacio Candido (POR)

4. Zambia 🇿🇲 : Janny Sikazwe (EN)

UFOA/WAFU A :

5. Senegal 🇸🇳 : Fatou Gaye (FR)

6. Mauritania 🇲🇷 : Lemghaifry Bouchaab (FR)

UFOA/WAFU B :

7. Ivory Coast 🇨🇮 : Sinko Zeli (FR)

8. Nigeria 🇳🇬 : IRABOR Faith Uwugiaren (EN)

UNAF :

9. Morocco 🇲🇦 : Hadqa Yahya (FR & AR)

10. Algeria 🇩🇿 : Djamel Haimoudi (FR & AR)

UNIFFAC :

11. Republic of Congo 🇨🇬 : René Daniel Louzaya (FR)

12. Cameroon 🇨🇲 : Menkouande Evariste (FR)

In terms of Article 8 of the Regulations governing the Application of the CAF Statutes: The Referees Committee shall consist of:

a) President;

b) A Vice-President;

c) The number of members deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee.

Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo has been awarded AFC Toronto’s Player of the Month for September, following a standout run of performances.

The 27-year-old scored four goals and provided two assists across four league matches. Her contributions included:

✅ A match-winning goal in a 1–0 victory over Halifax
✅ Two goals and one assist in a dominant 7–0 win against Vancouver
✅ A goal in the 1–1 draw with Halifax
✅ An assist in the 1–0 win over Ottawa

Okoronkwo’s consistent impact helped her team secure key results throughout the month.