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Nigeria vs Morocco: Super Falcons eye historic 10th title as home crowd await in WAFCON final showdown

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9 months ago

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Nigeria is on a quest to win a 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON.

The Super Falcons will take on Morocco in the final of this year’s tournament in Rabat on Saturday.

Justin Madugu’s ladies have easily been the best team.

Their group stage performances included a 3-0 thrashing of Tunisia and a 0-0 draw with Algeria, which led to an apology from Madugu.

The apology was followed up with an emphatic 5-0 thumping of Zambia in the quarter-finals, before they eliminated defending champions South Africa 2-1 in the semis.

Sports journalist, Biola Solace-Chukwu, has been in Morocco throughout the competition, keeping an eye on the Falcons.

She tells DAILY POST: “I think the Super Falcons grew with each match.

“Despite not scoring in the last group game against Algeria, there were obvious improvements and that especially showed in the quarter-final match against Zambia.

“The semi-final clash with South Africa was expectedly tough.”

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade has been one of the standout performers, winning three consecutive Man of the Match awards, including against Bayana Bayana.

But Solace-Chukwu has picked Ajibade’s team-mate, Ashley Plumptre, as the player that has caught the eye.

“Definitely Ashleigh Plumptre. My personal player of the match for every single match played so far,” she said.

Both Ajibade and Plumptre would have to be on their A-game, when they face the hosts in Sunday’s final.

It was Morocco that beat them in the semi-final of the 2022 WAFCON.

So, revenge is on the table. And as well as what has been dubbed ‘Mission X’.

See also  FULL LIST: Morocco shines at 2025 CAF Awards as Super Falcons, Nnadozie win big

“It’s going to be a battle,” Solace-Chukwu says as a matter of fact.

“Home advantage will definitely be a big factor, just as it was against Morocco in the 2022 semi-finals.

“The Olympic Stadium in Rabat has been packed with Moroccan fans all tournament and it’s expected to be the same for the final.”

But there is a reason the Falcons are the most successful team in Africa.

And they need to put history and the vociferous home support in the background, as they seek to assert themselves again on the continent.

That is why it is important they beat the Atlas Lionesses on their own patch.

Solace-Chukwu adds: “I think it brings the fear factor back for the Super Falcons. It will show this is still the dominant team in Africa.

“It will also be a good experience for the young players in the squad.”

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Fenerbahçe kick against Osimhen’s mask

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2 days ago

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April 24, 2026

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Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahçe have reportedly filed a complaint against Galatasaray over the use of protective mask by Victor Osimhen, which they say is dangerous to opposing players, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Osimhen returned to action on Wednesday night after being out with an arm injury for over a month.

The 27-year-old featured for 13 minutes in Galatasaray’s cup defeat to Gençlerbirliği S.K., appearing with a bandaged arm under a long-sleeved jersey.

Galatasaray are due to face Fenerbahçe in the league on Sunday, and their rivals are said to have reported the use of Osimhen’s gear to the Turkish Football Federation.

“Fenerbahçe believes that the hard protective gear used by Victor Osimhen in matches poses a risk to opposing players. The yellow-and-navy club is preparing to formally raise this issue by applying to the Turkish Football Federation,” Turkish news outlet HT Spor reported.

“The club’s medical team is preparing a report on materials that can be used according to IFAB rules.”

Osimhen wears a protective mask after he sustained a serious facial injury in a match while playing for Napoli in 2021.

The Nigerian clashed heads with Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar and sustained fractures to both his cheekbone and eye socket.

Osimhen required surgery and spent three months on the sidelines, with Napoli saying in a statement, “titanium plates and 18 screws were used in the operation”.

Medics advised Osimhen to wear a protective mask when he returned to playing.

It remains to be seen how the TFF will rule on the matter ahead of their potential title decider on Sunday.

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Galatasaray currently leads the Super Lig with 71 points, four ahead of Fenerbahçe with four matches remaining.

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Rooney claims supporter belief key to Arsenal ending 22-year drought in EPL

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6 days ago

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April 20, 2026

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Ex-Man United striker Wayne Rooney believes fan support could play a decisive role in the outcome of the Premier League title race, urging Arsenal F.C. supporters to get firmly behind their team during a difficult spell.

The Gunners’ hopes of winning a first league title in 22 years suffered a setback after a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, leaving the defending champions within striking distance with games in hand.

The loss followed a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to AFC Bournemouth, after which some fans booed the players off the pitch.

Rooney questioned that reaction, insisting it could have a negative impact on the squad at a crucial stage of the season.

“I think the Arsenal fans need to be better. They’ve been brilliant all season and they’ve hit a little bad run of form,” Rooney said.

He emphasized how much players rely on backing from the stands, particularly when results dip.

“They need to understand how much the fan support means to the players and how much it can help you. When you lose a game and you get booed off, that can affect player,” he added.

Despite recent setbacks, Arsenal remain firmly in contention with five games left to play, but face intense pressure from City, who could overtake them at the top of the table.

Rooney pointed to the importance of unity between fans and players, especially given the club’s recent history of falling short in title races.

“For Arsenal to win the league, the Arsenal fans need to play their part. The fans need to back the players a little bit more because that will have hurt the Arsenal players, 100%,” he stressed.

See also  AFCON 2025: Nigeria missing as CAF announces official list of referees for training camp

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Oleksandr Usyk Backs Joshua To Beat Fury As Talks For Mega Fight Resume

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1 week ago

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April 18, 2026

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Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk believes Anthony Joshua has what it takes to defeat Tyson Fury if the long-awaited all-British showdown finally happens.

Negotiations between both camps have restarted after years of failed attempts to stage the fight. Usyk, who has shared the ring with both men and beaten each of them twice, says his recent time in camp with Joshua has left him convinced the former world champion is ready to rise again.

It was reports that Joshua has been training in Spain alongside the unbeaten Ukrainian as he works his way back to full fitness following a December car crash that claimed the lives of two close friends. He suffered minor injuries but has since returned to structured training.

Speaking to The Independent, Usyk said he has been impressed by Joshua’s intensity in camp.

“I believe. I look how Anthony is training. He’s a machine,” Usyk said.

The Ukrainian urged fans to rally behind Joshua during a challenging period in his career. Drawing a comparison with his support for Dynamo Kyiv, he stressed the value of loyalty through setbacks.

“Now I think Anthony needs help. People who support AJ, we must say: ‘Yeah, we do believe!’ Listen. I’m a fan of Dynamo Kyiv. I’m a fan a long time. Sometimes, my team loses but I not say: ‘You’re bad, you’re bad.’,” he added.

“I say, ‘Things happen. You must work, pray. It’s normal because it’s sport. Sometimes people support team or fighter and fighter loses and they’re negative. You are not fan. We must help each other. If we don’t help each other we are not people. We are animals.”

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Usyk admitted Joshua is close to a full return but urged patience as recovery continues.

“I think yes but we need a little bit of time because we know AJ has problem with body after crash but yes, he can return,” he said.

Promoter Eddie Hearn expects Joshua to take another fight before a potential clash with Fury. He confirmed the British star is likely to remain in Usyk’s training environment for at least his next two bouts.

“I think, at the moment, he’s very happy obviously. The plan is those two fights, he’ll certainly be training with Usyk for those two fights,” Hearn said.

“I think when he’s there and he’s focused and he’s got that purpose, I think it’s really good for him.”

Usyk is also preparing for his own blockbuster event. The champion is set to face kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in front of the Pyramids of Giza, with the World Boxing Council heavyweight title at stake.

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