Sports
Nigeria crowned African football queens after 3-2 comeback against Morocco
The triumph in Rabat confirmed the Super Falcons as queens of women’s football in Africa as they pulled off a record-extending 10th title in 13 editions.
Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses led 2-0 at the break thanks to skipper Ghizlane Chebbak’s fine curling effort and a shot from dribbling winger Sanaa Mssoudy.
But the West Africans dominated in the second half, with Esther Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi leading the fight back at Rabat’s Stade Olympique.
Okoronkwo pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, then squared for Ijamilusi to equalise in the 71st minute.
Morocco were awarded a penalty with 10 minutes remaining in a contentious handball call, but it was overturned after the referee was asked to review.
The home team were then caught out as substitute Jennifer Echegeni scored the winner just two minutes before end of play.
‘Indomitable Nigerian spirit’
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, congratulated the Super Falcons for their “landmark victory”.
“It is not just another trophy; it is a testament to your hard work, consistency, and the indomitable Nigerian spirit. We thank God for this sweet victory,” she said in a message relayed by Voice of Nigeria.
“You have once again lifted the pride of our dear nation, Nigeria and cemented your place as Queens of African football. On behalf of Nigerian women and the entire nation, I thank you for making us proud.”
Nigeria have now won 10 of the 13 editions of the tournament and re-established their continental dominance after having ceded the title to South Africa at the last edition in 2022.
Ghana in third place
On Friday, Ghana finished third, winning a penalty shootout 4-3 against outgoing champions South Africa after a 1-1 play-off draw in regular time in Casablanca.
Victory was particularly sweet for the Black Queens as they were outplayed when losing 2-0 to Banyana Banyana (The Girls) in the group stage.
Ghana have won the four third place play-offs they qualified for while South Africa have lost four of five bronze medals matches.
The next Wafcon is scheduled for March 2026, also in Morocco, and will double as a qualifying competition for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
(with newswires)
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Morocco said the manner of their switch of nationality is faulty, citing some irregularities in their claims to be Nigerians.
A petition against Nigeria has been filed by Morocco.
Morocco filed the petition before CAF as it questions the eligibility of two players who played for the women’s team of Nigeria in the final of the WAFCON, which Nigeria won 3-2 on Saturday.
It was gathered that before the game, there was a protest lodged by Morocco on the eligibility of two of the Nigerian players in Ashleigh Plumptre and Michelle Alozie.
Both players were born outside Nigeria but made the decision to play for Nigeria at senior level.
In their protest, Morocco said the manner of their switch of nationality is faulty citing some irregularities in their claims to be Nigerians.
They expressly want Nigeria to lose the title by virtue of fielding both players in the tournament.
Plumptre was granted approval by FIFA to play for Nigeria in 2021 after it was established that her paternal grandfather is a Nigerian. Alozie’s case is more straightforward as she was born in the USA to immigrant parents from Nigeria.
Nigeria are however not losing sleep over the protest with a top member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) terming it as dead on arrival.
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Nigerian striker Umar Sadiq is in discussions with Deportivo Alavés over a potential summer move, even as his former club Almería have also renewed their interest in bringing him back ahead of the new season.
According to Onda Vasca, the 27-year-old is currently in contact with Alavés as the Basque club look to bolster their attacking options following the departure of Joaquín Panichelli to Strasbourg for €16.5m.
With only Asier Villalibre and Toni Martínez available to coach Eduardo Coudet, the club’s technical director Sergio Fernández has made signing a new striker a priority.
“Sadiq is in conversations with the Vitoria-Gasteiz side,” journalist Samu Valcárcel said on La Movida Deportiva Gipuzkoa, affirming Alavés’ intent to pursue the Nigerian, despite Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay recently suggesting the player could still remain at the San Sebastián-based club.
Sadiq, who joined Real Sociedad in 2022 from Almería for €20m, has struggled to settle following a long injury layoff after an anterior cruciate ligament tear in September of that year.
A six-month loan spell at Valencia earlier this year helped him regain form, as he scored six goals to help the club avoid relegation.
While Alavés continue negotiations, they are also considering other targets, including Lucas Boyé, while Mariano Díaz remains in pre-season contention but is not being considered a formal signing, Onda Vasca reported.
Meanwhile, Almería have re-entered the race for Sadiq, who played a starring role in their promotion to La Liga in 2022.
According to Super Deporte, the Andalusian club see him as the ideal striker to spearhead their bid for a return to the top flight after relegation.
The club have recently banked €22m from the sale of Luis Suárez to Sporting CP and are looking to reinvest that fee in proven talent.
The report notes that “Almería longs for one of the main architects of their promotion in 2022” and now join Alavés on the list of suitors, with Valencia also monitoring developments.
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Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze could be on his way to Premier League outfit Fulham, as the Cottagers are reported to be interested in a move for the AC Milan wideman.
The 26-year-old Nigerian international, who is currently with the Rossoneri on their pre-season training programme, is rumoured to be on his way out of the San Siro outfit, following his inconsistencies since arriving from La Liga side Villarreal in a €20m move in 2023.
He had a mixed 2024/25 campaign, where he made 26 appearances, of which just nine were starts in the Italian Serie A, which amounted to a total of 918 minutes, and he contributed just three goals and two assists.
Chukwueze recently made a cameo role for Milan as they defeated Premier League champions Liverpool 4-2 in a pre-season fixture, which went down at the Kai Tak stadium in Hong Kong, as Max Allegri’s men continued preparations for the 2025/26 football campaign. He featured for 27 minutes after coming off the bench for Portugal forward Rafael Leao in the 63rd minute, although he did not make any goal contribution for the Rossoneri.
Milan, who are currently operating under tight financial conditions, especially having missed out on UEFA Champions League football for next term, are keen to offload fringe players in a bid to afford new arrivals in what is a major squad overhaul. According to Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport via Milan Press, the duo of Ismaël Bennacer and Yacine Adli are at the top of the list of those who will be leaving Lombardy, while Fulham are keeping an eye on Chukwueze.
“At the top of the list are Ismaël Bennacer and Yacine Adli. Both are expected to leave without question, especially given their absence from the Asian tour: the former has yet to agree to a move to Saudi Arabia, while the latter is training with Milan Futuro as he waits for a solid offer (Sassuolo is especially interested). As for Samuel Chukwueze, Fulham is keeping an eye on him,” the publication wrote.
This will be the second time that Fulham will signify interest in Chukwueze, after having first made a move during the January winter transfer window. Although nothing came forth, Marco Silva’s side could be said to be determined to make it work this time around.
Chukwueze, who still has three years left on his existing deal at the San Siro, has made 14 goal contributions in 69 appearances across all competitions for the Rossoneri.
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