Sports
U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles win Saudi Arabia 3-2
Goals from Nasiru Salihu and Amos Ochoche had put Nigeria ahead on two occasions, but defensive lapses allowed Saudi Arabia to equalise both times.
•Flying Eagles of Nigeria
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria kept their U20 World Cup hopes alive with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia in a Group F encounter at the Fiscal Stadium in Chile on Friday.
A stoppage-time penalty calmly converted by captain Daniel Bameyi proved decisive, capping off a tense contest that saw Nigeria twice surrender the lead.
The midnight kickoff saw Aliyu Zubair’s side bounce back from a disappointing opening loss to Norway.
Goals from Nasiru Salihu and Amos Ochoche had put Nigeria ahead on two occasions, but defensive lapses allowed Saudi Arabia to equalise both times.
Then Kparobo Arierhi failed to convert with only the goalkeeper to beat, and his team was punished minutes after when the Nigerian defence failed to clear a long punt forward, allowing Amar Al-Ayuba to ghost in behind and poke the loose ball beyond Ebenezer Harcourt for 1-1 on 21 minutes.
The Flying Eagles regained the lead in the 21st minute after executing a three-player free-kick routine that ended with Ochoche’s mishit cross looping into the far top corner, giving Nigeria a 2-1 lead at the break.
Sports
Super Eagles captain Ndidi mourns father’s death
” We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi’s esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident,” the club said in a statement released via their official X account.
• Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi
Sunday Ndidi – the father of Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi, died today in a road accident at Umunede, Delta State.
The retired military officer was confirmed dead after being rushed to a hospital at Agbor, also in Delta State.
Ndidi’s club, Besiktas, confirmed the incident on Tuesday.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi’s esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident,” the club said in a statement released via their official X account.
Ndidi recently captained Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he also scored his first international goal for the country.
While celebrating his headed goal against Tunisia in Nigeria’s second group match, the midfielder referenced his father and his admiration for former Nigeria captain Kanu Nwankwo.
The celebration came from my dad because he was always talking about Kanu Nwankwo,” Ndidi told journalists in Morocco.
“So I just thought about my dad. I had seen the video before, but it came to my head, and I said I was going to do it for my dad.”
Ndidi, who often speaks about growing up with his father in the barracks, was born and raised in Lagos.
Sports
Lagos to host Davis Cup World Group II playoff
Oyekanmi emphasised that with the world’s attention on Lagos in February, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown that promises to elevate Nigerian tennis to new heights.
The Lagos Lawn Tennis Club will host Davis Cup World Group II playoff between Nigeria and Uzbekistan from 6–8 February 2026.
The President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Victor Ochie, who disclosed this, said that hosting the event will significantly contribute to the development of lawn tennis in the country.
Prince Kunle Oyekanmi, publicity secretary of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, expressed confidence in the club’s ability to host a world-class tournament.“We are committed to ensuring a successful championship that will leave a lasting mark on the sport globally,” he said.
Oyekanmi added that the Davis Cup will inspire young and upcoming Nigerian players to pursue lawn tennis more passionately.
Oyekanmi emphasised that with the world’s attention on Lagos in February, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown that promises to elevate Nigerian tennis to new heights.
Sports
US opens priority visa appointments for 2026 World Cup ticket holders
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the organisation expects “between five and ten million people” to travel to North America to enjoy the World Cup.
The United States on Tuesday, opened a priority visa appointment system for holders of tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, allowing fans to seek earlier appointments ahead of the tournament.
The World Cup will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
BBC reported that visa appointment scheme will enable ticket holders to access prioritised visa slots before the competition begins on June 11.
The US will host 78 of the 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup across 11 cities, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.”
In November, President Donald Trump said the Departments of State and Homeland Security had been working “tirelessly” to ensure football fans from around the world are properly vetted and able to travel to the United States for the summer tournament.
“I’ve directed my administration to do everything within our power to make the 2026 World Cup an unprecedented success. We are setting records on ticket sales,” Trump said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the organisation expects “between five and ten million people” to travel to North America to enjoy the World Cup.
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