Sports
FIFA U-20 World Cup: NFF Commends Flying Eagles
The Nigeria Football Federation has commended the Flying Eagles for giving a good account of themselves at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina.
After an impressive match at the tournament, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria were able to make it to the quarter-finals where they faced Korea Republic.
Two-time runners-up Nigeria dominated for large parts of the game but were eliminated from the tourney by a single goal on Sunday as the Korea Republic surged into the semi-finals for the second successive tournament.
The Flying Eagles, who eliminated hosts and six-time champions Argentina in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, created few chances despite passing the ball around the field quite well.
However, the lack of punch in the final third was the greatest undoing of the seven-time African champions.
NFF’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, on Monday in Abuja told NAN that the Flying Eagles gave their best at the world cup, adding that they did not disgrace the country.
“The Flying Eagles have done their very best. I can say they have not disgraced Nigeria.
“In every competition, there has to be a winner and there has to be a time when some teams will be eliminated.
“Yesterday, it wasn’t our day. The team played very well but the goals refused to come.
“So, I think we should take it in good fate and move forward.
“As I have always said, anytime we go for competitions, we go to fulfil God’s righteousness because whatever God has destined to happen will happen, you cannot change it.
“If you have looked at the game, you would know that it wasn’t our game at all.”
He said the team could have equalised towards the end of the full-time but the goal “refused to come.”
The NFF Scribe apologised to Nigerians for the failure of the team to progress to the semi-finals, stressing that the Flying Eagles gave 100 per cent.
“We want to say we are sorry to Nigerians who believed in the team that they could go all the way.
“Going by their progression and improvement from match to match, Nigerians expected us to defeat the Koreans.
“But as I said earlier, it wasn’t the wish of God. He did his wish and we were eliminated by the Koreans,” he added.
NAN
Sports
CAF Awards: Super Falcons win 2025 women’s team of the year
This marks the team’s seventh CAF Women’s National Team of the Year award, having previously won in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and consecutively in 2023, 2024, and now 2025.
Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons, have been named the Women’s National Team of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards held on Wednesday, November 19, in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s national team, claimed the honour after a remarkable year in which they secured a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
Nigeria defeated hosts Morocco 3–2 in a dramatic final, showcasing their pedigree, depth, and resilience.
This marks the team’s seventh CAF Women’s National Team of the Year award, having previously won in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and consecutively in 2023, 2024, and now 2025.
The Super Falcons beat strong contenders, Ghana’s Black Queens and Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, to clinch the award.The award further reaffirms the Super Falcons’ dominance on the continent.
Sports
Breaking: Achraf Hakimi crowned CAF Men’s Player of the Year 2025
The 27-year-old beat Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to the prestigious honour, cementing his status as one of Africa’s top football talents.
Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi has been named the 2025 African Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), capping an exceptional season for both club and country.
The 27-year-old beat Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to the prestigious honour, cementing his status as one of Africa’s top football talents.
The Paris Saint-Germain right-back claimed the award for the first time, selected by a panel of experts and leading African football journalists.
Hakimi entered the ceremony as the overwhelming favourite following a historic campaign with PSG, helping the club secure four major titles: Ligue 1, the UEFA Champions League, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions. He also placed sixth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings.
A key figure throughout the season, Hakimi played over 3,400 minutes across all competitions, contributing 6 goals and 4 assists in Ligue 1 and 5 goals with 4 assists in the Champions League, while helping PSG keep 10 clean sheets.
His performances earned him spots in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season, Ligue 1 Team of the Season, and the CAF Team of the Year.
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Sports
Tinubu commends Super Eagles despite World Cup miss
The president then called on “football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders” to return to the “drawing board” and “plug all the loopholes.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday commended the Super Eagles for “their efforts” after missing out on ticket for the 2026 World Cup.
On Sunday, the Super Eagles lost to DR Congo 4-3 on penalties in the final match of the African playoffs for the World Cup. The game had ended 1-1 after extra time.
“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” Tinubu said in a statement.
The president then called on “football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders” to return to the “drawing board” and “plug all the loopholes”.
“Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory.”
The Super Eagles also missed out on the 2022 World Cup. It is the first time Nigeria have failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cups since the country’s debut in 1994.
The 2025 AFCON will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C against Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda.
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