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Ruthless Super Falcons dispatch Cape Verde 5-0 in women’s AFCON qualifier

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3 years ago

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Ruthless Super Falcons dispatch Cape Verde 5-0 in women’s AFCON qualifier

Nigeria began their quest for a place in next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in style with a 5-0 thumping of Cape Verde at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Thursday.

Uchenna Kanu and Esther Okoronkwo scored a brace each while Monday Gift got a goal as the Super Falcons recorded an emphatic win over the minnows.

Despite missing star striker Asisat Oshoala, the record WAFCON holders outclassed their foes. They started the game on a sound note and did not take time before Kanu opened the score sheet for them. She tapped in from close range just seven minutes into the game.

Although Cape Verde rallied to balance the score, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a stunning 16th-minute save to deny them.

Nine minutes later, the Nigerian girls were the beneficiary of a goalmouth scramble with Gift bundling the ball home to double the Super Falcons’ lead. Rasheedat Ajibade then shot inches wide in the 33rd minute.

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But Kanu was not done yet. She converted a Toni Payne cross just at the 45th-minute mark to make it three for the home side.

Nigeria continued to press the Cape Verdean ladies upon resumption of the second half. But it took a 66th-minute effort from substitute Esther Okoronkwo – who came in for Gift – for the Super Falcons to get their fourth goal of the day off Esther Akudo Ogbonna’s cross.

Okoronkwo bagged her brace for the evening eleven minutes later to give Nigeria a fifth goal – a strike that cemented the Falcons’ superiority over their opponents.

With the job done, interim coach Madugu Justine brought in Tochukwu Oluehi for Nnadozie in goal while Chiamaka Okwuchukwu made her debut when she came on for Esther Akudo.

The second leg of the game will be played on Tuesday in the coastal city of Praia, the Cape Verdean capital. The winner of both fixtures will feature at the 2024 WAFCON in Morrocco.

Thursday’s game was Madugu’s third for the Super Falcons in the continued absence of Head Coach Randy Waldrum.

Ruthless Super Falcons dispatch Cape Verde 5-0 in women’s AFCON qualifier

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BREAKING: Flamingos Make History, Defeat Japan 2–1 to Win First FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

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November 7, 2026

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BREAKING: Flamingos Make History, Defeat Japan 2–1 to Win First FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

 

Nigeria’s Flamingos have made history after defeating Japan 2–1 to lift the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy in Morocco on Saturday, November 7.

 

The Nigerian girls produced an impressive performance in the final to secure the country’s first-ever championship title in the competition.

 

Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 38th minute of the first half with a long-range effort that slipped through the hands of Japanese goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki.

 

The Flamingos doubled their advantage early in the second half through Oluebube Umejiaku, who calmly lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to give Nigeria a commanding 2–0 lead.

 

Japan fought back and reduced the deficit through Ito in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian side held on to secure a historic 2–1 victory.

 

The triumph marks a major milestone for Nigerian and African football, as the Flamingos become the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

 

Nigeria booked their place in the final after defeating Brazil 3–1 in the semi-finals, while Japan secured their ticket following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over defending champions North Korea.

 

The victory represents a remarkable achievement for coach Akeem Busari and his players, who have brought global recognition to Nigeria with their outstanding campaign.

 

The historic triumph is also Nigeria’s first title at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, having previously finished third in the 2022 edition.

 

Nigeria’s victory over Japan has further established the Flamingos as one of the emerging forces in women’s youth football.

 

BREAKING: Flamingos Make History, Defeat Japan 2–1 to Win First FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

 

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BREAKING: Ronaldo Retires From International Football After 23 Years With Portugal

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3 days ago

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November 5, 2026

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BREAKING: Ronaldo Retires From International Football After 23 Years With Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo
BREAKING: Ronaldo Retires From International Football After 23 Years With Portugal

Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his remarkable 23-year career with the Portugal national team.

The 41-year-old forward announced his decision on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in a video message shared on his social media accounts, saying he was ready to hand over Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt to the next generation.

Ronaldo, who made his senior international debut in August 2003, leaves the national team as the highest-scoring player in men’s international football and its most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 appearances.

In his announcement, Ronaldo reflected on the privilege and responsibility of representing Portugal for more than two decades.

He said: “To the Portuguese people. The time has come to hang our national team’s number 7 shirt. I never felt that it belonged exclusively to me, but for 23 years I have had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it.”

He added that representing Portugal had given him some of the most memorable moments of his football career and that the country would always remain part of him.

A career filled with records and trophies

Ronaldo’s international career began in August 2003 when he made his debut for Portugal at the age of 18.

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Over the next 23 years, he established himself as one of the most successful players in international football, setting records for appearances and goals.

His major achievements with Portugal include winning the 2016 UEFA European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles, in 2019 and 2025.

He also represented Portugal at six World Cups, from 2006 to 2026, becoming the first player to score at six different editions of the men’s tournament.

His 146 international goals and 234 appearances leave him at the top of the men’s international football records.

November matches expected to mark farewell

Ronaldo’s announcement comes after a difficult period with Portugal, including a disagreement with national team coach Jorge Jesus.

The Al-Nassr forward walked out of Portugal’s training camp in September following disagreements over his playing time and his exclusion from the starting line-up.

He subsequently apologised to his teammates and Portuguese supporters, while accepting a disciplinary punishment from the Portuguese Football Federation.

The federation handed him a 30-day suspension and a fine of €255 following the incident. The suspension was backdated to October 1.

Ronaldo is expected to bring his international career to a close after Portugal’s November international engagements, with the team scheduled to face Denmark on November 14 and Wales on November 17.

His departure will mark the end of an era for Portuguese football, as the country prepares to move forward without the player who has captained its national team and broken numerous international records.

Portugal will, however, continue to have the legacy of a footballer whose name has become synonymous with the country’s achievements on the international stage.

BREAKING: Ronaldo Retires From International Football After 23 Years With Portugal

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Nigeria Flamingos Make History, Stun Brazil 3-1 to Reach U-17 Women’s World Cup Final

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3 days ago

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November 4, 2026

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Nigeria Flamingos Make History, Stun Brazil 3-1 to Reach U-17 Women’s World Cup Final

 

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have made history by becoming the first African country to reach the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Brazil 3-1 in a thrilling semi-final encounter on Wednesday night.

Inspired by a brilliant brace from Awawu Bashiru and an early strike from Queen Joseph, the Nigerian girls produced an impressive performance to overcome their South American opponents and book a historic place in Saturday’s final in Morocco.

Joseph opened the scoring with a close-range finish from four yards to give Akeem Busari’s side an early advantage.

Bashiru then doubled Nigeria’s lead with a moment of brilliance, sending a lofted cross over the Brazilian goalkeeper and into the net in the 71st minute.

The forward completed her brace 10 minutes later, calmly firing home a well-placed effort at the near post to extend Nigeria’s advantage and send the Nigerian bench, supporters and officials into wild celebrations.

 

Brazil managed to pull one back through Greise Kelly in the 89th minute, but it was too little, too late as the Flamingos held on for a memorable victory.

 

The triumph represents Nigeria’s first-ever victory over Brazil at this level and marks a significant milestone for African women’s football, with the Flamingos becoming the first team from the continent to qualify for the tournament’s final.

 

Nigeria will now have the opportunity to surpass their previous best achievement of winning the bronze medal in 2022 as they prepare for a showdown with Japan, who defeated tournament favourites Korea DPR in the other semi-final.

 

The eagerly anticipated final is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, in Morocco, with the Flamingos aiming to crown their historic campaign with Nigeria’s first-ever U-17 Women’s World Cup title.

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