Nigeria’s under-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have been confirmed winners of the 2026 WAFU B U-17 women’s tournament following a 4-0 win over Togo U-17 team on the final day of matches.

Nigeria finished the tournament with five wins from five matches, becoming the first country to win all matches in the tournament, claiming a flawless record in the second edition of the regional championship.

The Flamingos dethroned Ghana who finished second in the six-nation tournament to relinquish the title after winning the maiden tournament in 2024.

Harmony Chidera scored a brace of penalties to lead Nigeria to the big win, with further goals from Umejiaku Oluebube and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi.

Chidera netted the first penalty on 15 minutes after Adegbuyi was brought down, and repeated the task successfully on 35 minutes when Adegbuyi was brought down again.

The third goal came in the 67th minutes from Oluebube’s harmless cross from the wing that sailed into the top corner of the net, and Adegbuyi got the goal her performance deserved in the 90th minute to seal the dominant victory.

Nigeria finished with 15 points on the log, six points ahead of Ghana who played hosts Ivory Coast in their final match of the tournament.

The victory gives the Flamingos more confidence as they continue preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup taking place in Morocco from October 17 to November 7.

(Daily Trust)

Manchester City have been found guilty of all but one of the 115 charges they face for breaching English Premier League (EPL) financial regulations.

The Athletic reported that an independent panel reached the decision, but no sanction has been decided yet. 

In response to the report, the club, expected to appeal the ruling, insisted the case “remains ongoing” and “subject to strict confidentiality.”

“As such, Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023,” the club said.

“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

The case became public in 2023 after the EPL accused City of breaking the league’s financial rule from the 2009/10 season to the 2017/18 campaign.

The club was accused of failing to provide accurate financial information and details of payments to players and coaches, as well as breaching financial sustainability rules.

The period under scrutiny began barely two years after the Abu Dhabi United Group acquired the club in 2008, which catapulted City to one of the best EPL teams within a short time.

The club have won eight Premier League titles, four FA Cups, seven League Cups and one UEFA Champions League (UCL) under the Gulf group’s ownership.

City’s sanctions are likely to include a severe points deduction and possibly even expulsion from the EPL.

Everton and Nottingham Forest were both hit by points deductions in the 2023/24 season for single breaches of profit and sustainability rules

FIFA| Nigerian referee Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam

FIFA on Thursday named Zamfara-born Nigerian referee Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam among the match officials for this year’s U-17 World Cup tournament in Qatar, ending Nigeria’s 25-year wait for a centre referee.

The 34-year-old is the only Nigerian centre referee on FIFA’s list and one of four referees selected from Africa for the competition.

In a post obtained from FIFA’s website on Thursday, FIFA named 81 officials for the tournament, comprising 27 referees and 54 assistant referees from 36 member associations.

Abdulsalam’s selection marks the first time in 25 years that a Nigerian centre referee will officiate at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Abdulsalam has built considerable international experience, having participated in two CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments as well as several WAFU competitions.

His recent performances have also earned him another major assignment, as he is scheduled to referee the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture between Cameroon and Comoros.