A suspect has been arrested and confessed to stealing cash belonging to several Super Falcons players at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, just days before Nigeria’s opening match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The theft took place on the final day of the team’s training camp in Casablanca before the squad relocated to Rabat for their Group C fixtures. Players including midfielder Esther Okoronkwo, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie and captain Rasheedat Ajibade reported money missing from their hotel rooms, with the total exceeding $1,000.

Okoronkwo had publicly alleged that cleaning staff took cash while the players were out of their rooms and criticised the hotel’s response to the complaints. Nigerian journalist and former Super Eagles media officer Colin Udoh later confirmed the breakthrough, stating that a suspect had been arrested, had confessed, and that full restitution would be made to the players while the law takes its course.

The Super Falcons, who opened camp in Mohammedia on 15 July, are now focused on their title defence in Rabat.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has told critics to “meditate, pray or watch a football match” instead of “spreading hate and false rumours” about his leadership, the governing body and the World Cup.

In a 15-slide post on his personal Instagram account – reposted to Fifa’s eight million followers – Infantino addressed “those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens” to affirm his belief that, while they were “busy planting seeds of hate”, Fifa was delivering the “greatest event on earth”.

BBC reported Infantino to have said that the World Cup “celebrated humanity at its best”, adding that the 2026 tournament had “100% safety and security, only joy and happiness”.

Infantino downplayed several of the tournament’s high-profile controversies and hailed the involvement of Iran, who featured at the World Cup despite their ongoing conflict with co-hosts the United States, as a success.

He said that Fifa “worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war”, with Iran entering the country “without incident or conflict”.

His comments are in stark contradiction to those of Iran’s head coach Amir Ghalenoei, who said his team were the “most oppressed” at the World Cup.

Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad have reportedly stepped up their interest in Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi after submitting a formal €10.5 million offer for the Beşiktaş midfielder, according to Turkish sports daily Milliyet.

The proposal could rise to €12.5m if performance-related add-ons are triggered, with the Saudi giants keen to lure the Super Eagles captain and experienced midfielder away from the Turkish Super Lig.

However, Beşiktaş are yet to respond to the offer as the club awaits the assessment of newly appointed head coach Vincenzo Italiano, who is expected to determine whether Ndidi remains part of his plans for the forthcoming season.

The decision could prove crucial for the 28-year-old Nigerian, who only joined the Istanbul giants last summer after leaving Leicester City as a free agent.

Ndidi quickly established himself as an important figure in the Beşiktaş midfield during his first season in Turkey, making 31 Süper Lig appearances and contributing two goals and one assist.

Source: Leadership