The December 2025 edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, the final release of the year has been published following 42 international fixtures, with the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 taking centre stage, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Nigeria, meanwhile, are ranked 38th in the latest standings after missing out on qualification for the FIFA World Cup for a second consecutive cycle.

Spain (1st, unchanged) remain at the summit after dethroning Argentina (2nd, unchanged) earlier in the year, while France (3rd, unchanged) complete the podium in the end-of-year standings.

Elsewhere near the top, Morocco (11th, unchanged) are closing in on a return to the top 10 for the first time since April 1998, trailing Croatia (10th, unchanged) by just 0.54 points after their Arab Cup triumph in Doha.

Further down the table, movement was limited, with only three teams climbing more than one place in the latest update.

Arab Cup runners-up Jordan rose to 64th, Vietnam climbed three places to 107th, and Singapore also jumped three spots to 148th. Norway (29th, unchanged) stood out by adding 68.70 ranking points, while Suriname (123rd, unchanged) have climbed 15 places since December 2024.

Over the past year, 12 other nations have improved their positions by between 10 and 14 places.

By Oluwadamilola Olaleye 

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the world football governing body, FIFA have announced a record-breaking financial reward to all participating member association, a 50% increase, Nigeriasoccernet.com writes.

In addition, each qualified team will receive USD 1.5 million to cover preparation expenses, ensuring that every participating Member Association is guaranteed a minimum of USD 10.5 million for taking part in next year’s tournament.

This decision was made know during the FIFA Council meeting, approving a $727 million to be distributed as a result of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the biggest in the competition's history.

The 48 participating teams will receive their shares as follows:

Champions: USD 50 million

Runners-up: USD 33 million

3rd place: USD 29 million

4th place: USD 27 million

5th-8th place: USD 19 million

9th-16th place: USD 15 million

17th- 32nd place: USD 11 million

33rd-48th place: USD 9 million

By Oluwadamilola Olaleye 

FIFA has officially announced a change to the release period for players heading to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), allowing clubs to retain their players until 15 December—one week before the tournament begins—rather than the initial 14-day requirement, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

According to FIFA, the adjustment aligns with the precedent set during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, reducing the mandatory release period to seven days. “In line with the same principle used for the FIFA World Cup 2022, the release period will be reduced by seven days and start on Monday, 15 December 2025,” the statement read.

The decision has sparked widespread frustration among African football stakeholders, as several national teams had already scheduled friendly matches from 8 December and committed significant financial resources to preparations based on the original release date. Under the previous arrangement, clubs were expected to release players after the weekend fixtures of 6–7 December.

With the revised directive, national teams will have less than a week with their full squads before the AFCON kicks off, raising concerns about disrupted planning and inadequate preparation time.

FIFA has not indicated whether it will consider any compensation or exemptions for affected federations.

Uche Dozie

Zimbabwe head coach, Michael Nees, has boldly declared that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following their disappointing 1-1 draw against his team in the recent qualifier, Nigeriasoccernet.com gathered.

The Super Eagles took the lead in the 74th minute through Victor Osimhen, but Zimbabwe responded dramatically in stoppage time, as Tawanda Chirewa slotted past Stanley Nwabali to secure a share of the points.

Reacting to the result, Nees questioned Nigeria’s approach, stating:

"If you want to qualify for the World Cup, you must play strategically, use your energy to create chances, and convert them."

The German tactician took a swipe at the 2013 AFCON champions, suggesting that their current position in the qualifiers reflects their true quality.

"To be honest, I am very satisfied with our performance because we really came here to win. You may not believe it, but you saw it. We knew we could outplay Nigeria. As the game went on, the pressure on Nigeria increased, and that motivated us.

"As for now, the World Cup qualification is over for us as well as for Nigeria. Oh, you’re laughing? How many points do you (Nigeria) have? Are you first or second on the table? I came in as Zimbabwe coach in August, assembled these boys, and played a draw in Nigeria."

Group C Standings After Matchday Six

Position

Team

Points

1st

South Africa

13

2nd

Rwanda

8

3rd

Benin

8

4th

Nigeria

7

5th

Lesotho

6

6th

Zimbabwe

4

The Super Eagles, who finished as runners-up at the 2023 AFCON, have now won just one of their six qualifiers, leaving their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread. Nigeria must now secure maximum points in their remaining fixtures and hope other results go in their favor to stand any chance of making it to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Nigeria U-17 Women National team secured their in the final round of the U-17 Women World Cup Qualifiers after completing the double over South Africa on Saturday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Flamingos defeated the Bantwana 2-0 to win 5-1 on aggregate  at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne courtesy of goals from Harmony Chidi and Aishat Animashaun at both halves of the game.

Two-goal heroine in the first leg, Harmony Chidi coolly nodded home from an acute angle in the 37th minute, to compound the fixture for the visitors who lost the first leg at home 1-3.

Shakirat Moshood, who scored a goal in the first leg, was the provider from a well-taken free kick on the right. She turned provider again 11 minutes into the second half, when she found Aishat Animashaun, who lifted the ball over and above Samekelise Mthembu into the net for Nigeria’s second.

The Flamingos are through to the third and final qualifying round and will face either Botswana or Algeria in April for a spot at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Credit: NFF Communications Department 

Uche Dozie 

Pinnick, a former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, missed out by a single vote after securing 28 votes as against Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania) and Souleman Hassan Waberi (Djibouti), who each scored 29 votes to secure their spots on the prestigious panel.

Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa led the poll with an overwhelming 49 votes, while Egypt’s Hany Abou Rida and Niger Republic’s Djibrilla Hima Hamidou each garnered 35 votes to claim their places on the FIFA Council.

The elected representatives, including CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who was unopposed for a second term, will now serve as Africa’s voices at FIFA’s top decision-making body.

Kanizat Ibrahim from Comoros won the women’s seat with 30 votes, defeating former FIFA Council and IOC member Lydia Nsekera (13 votes) and incumbent Isha Johansen (7 votes).

Other notable results from the elections saw Zambia’s Andrew Kamanga (19 votes), Côte d’Ivoire’s Yacine Idriss Diallo (18 votes), and Senegal’s Augustin Senghor (13 votes) fall short in their FIFA Council bids. Benin Republic’s Mathurin De Chacus withdrew just before voting commenced.

In the CAF Executive Committee elections, Sobha Mohamed Ally Samir (Mauritius) and Feizal Ismael Sidat (Mozambique) secured the COSAFA seats, while Wallace Karia (Tanzania – CECAFA), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon – UNIFFAC), Mustapha Ishola Raji (Liberia – WAFU A), Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku (Ghana – WAFU B), Sadhi Walid (UNAF), and Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (DR Congo – Female Seat) were all elected unopposed.

Credit: Arisetv

Players and officials of Nigeria’s U15 Boys, Future Eagles, will depart the country in the early hours of Wednesday, 11th December for Morocco, where the team is scheduled to face their Moroccan counterparts in two international friendly games, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

This will be the team's first international experience since the inception of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) in the country.

Head of delegation, Mr. Nasiru Jibril said playing Morocco is a deliberate attempt and a pragmatic way of equipping the young, talented players discovered in the country through the FIFA Talent Development Scheme.

He noted that exposing the players to the best facilities and playing internationally will further shape the country's awakening about the impending annual AFCON U17 and FIFA U17 tournaments.

"With the introduction of the annual U17 AFCON and FIFA World Cup, it is going to be really difficult if we don't have such programs going for us. I think the FIFA Talent Development Scheme has come at the right time, and is helpful to Nigeria football. Morocco is the place to which we have the most access, in terms of an organized place where we can go to, and people who already have the same kind of project we have running. Therefore, it is easier and better for us to go and play their team because they have a team similar to our own."

A delegation of 22 players and 6 officials, with Coach Patrick Bassey at the head of the coaching crew, will make the trip. The two matches have been scheduled for the Complexe Mohammed VI de Football on the 12th and 15th of December, with a kick-off time of 5pm local time on both days.

22 FUTURE EAGLES FOR MOROCCO

Goalkeepers: Isaac Tomiwa (Mees Palace); Johnson Amaagudi (Ajarah FA); Somtochukwu Ibe (Adoration FC)

Defenders: Nicodemus Gideon (Relentless FA); Raphael Umah (Udi Stars FA); Luka Ephraim (Sporting Lagos); Muhammad Shamsudeen (Mavlon FC); Samuel Yusuf (Stormer FA)

Midfielders: Praise Averwosou (Morak FC); Uwem Bassey (2S Academy); Farwas Adeleke (Lanreleke FA); Raheem Salaudeen (Buruj FC); Kunle Tokode (White Caps FC, Canada); Ighodaro Dominion (Bendel Insurance Youth Team); Obasahon Emmanuel (Dynamo FA)

Forwards: Samuel Essien (PSports FA); Abubakar Abdulrazaq (Simon Ben FA); Ogar Timothy (Mavlon FC); Yusuf Saminu (Kano Pillars U15); Ebube Oyari (Sensational FA); Sha’Aban Musa (School Sports); Yusuf Auwal (Peace FA)

Credit: NFF Media

Super Eagles duo, Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong have been nominated for FIFA The Best Men's 11 award, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Lookman was nominated in the "attacker nominee" category while William Troost-Ekong was nominated for the "defender nominees" category.

The Nigerians have been in tremendous form in the calendar year leading Nigeria to the finals of the African Cup of Nations where the Super Eagles lost narrowly to hosts, Cote D'Ivoire.

Ekong emerged best player of the tournament after his exploits.

Lookman stood for his club, Atalanta BC leading them to their first UEFA European League trophy after scoring a hattrick in the 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Vote here ?? fifa.com/en/the-best-fi…

Uche Dozie 

General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi has formally welcomed the U17 Women National Team, Flamingos, from the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, saying the ladies put up a good fight and need to be encouraged despite quarter-final elimination by the United States of America, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

“The Nigeria Football Federation is proud of the Flamingos and the efforts they put into the competition. Two years ago, they defeated the USA on penalties at the same stage, on their way to collecting the bronze medals. That is football for you".

“If you watched their games, you will agree that the girls put up a great fight in every match. They swept through their group phase, collecting the maximum nine points and scoring nine goals while conceding only one. They created several chances against the USA but were quite unlucky. This is a good team and the players must be encouraged going forward. I believe many of them have the skill, temperament, and discipline to progress to the U20 squad.”

The Flamingos’ delegation returned to Nigeria on Tuesday after the USA's 0-2 defeat in Santiago de los Caballeros ended their race in the tournament. The girls had spanked New Zealand 4-1, routed Ecuador 4-0, and pipped host nation Dominican Republic 1-0 in overhauling their Group A.

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere said: “Against the USA, it was not our day. The girls created opportunities but the ball just wouldn’t go in. The Americans took their chances, and that is football for you. We will start to work immediately at raising an even stronger team for the next edition, as the tournament is now annual and the work must start now.”

The FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic will be the last to be played on a biennial basis, with the competition to be played yearly from next year and Morocco to host the first five editions.

Credit: NFF

History was made in Santo Domingo as the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup match between the Dominican Republic and Nigeria saw a record crowd of 13, 535, resulting in the highest attended football match for any Dominican Republic national team, Nigeriasoccernet.com gathered.

It was Nigeria that ended up winning on the night all thanks to Shakirat Moshood’s 89th-minute strike from 24 yards to earn Flamingos all three points against a heroic Dominican Republic side in the two-team final match of Group A at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on Wednesday morning.

The win ensured that Nigeria who maintained a perfect, unbeaten group stage run will battle the USA in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Korea Republic, New Zealand, Colombia and the Dominican Republic were all eliminated on Tuesday. Despite their exit, the host nation's contest with Nigeria saw a record crowd of 13,535, resulting in the highest-attended football match for any Dominican Republic national team.

By Olaleye Oluwadamilola

Flamingos head coach Bankole Olowookere expressed his delight after Nigeria's U-17 women's team maintained a flawless group stage run at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Nigeriasoccernet.com writes.

With a third consecutive victory, the Flamingos showcased their strength and composure, sealing a 1-0 win over tournament hosts, the Dominican Republic, in a tightly contested match on Wednesday morning.

The lone goal came from Shakirat Moshood in the 89th minute, securing Nigeria’s place at the top of Group A with a perfect nine points from three games.

Reflecting on the team's performance, Olowookere praised the determination and resilience of his players. “I’m so happy, I’m happy for myself, happy for the team and happy for the whole of Nigeria,” he told FIFA.com.

Olowookere explained that managing the squad’s energy was a key focus in the match. “We knew in this match we had to manage our energy and strength; these are young girls with many games to play so we had to take it easy.”

Despite the close scoreline, Nigeria controlled large portions of the game and remained disciplined in defense, ensuring that the Dominican Republic could not find an equalizer.

Looking ahead, Nigeria now faces a tough challenge in the quarter-finals, where they will meet the United States, a formidable opponent, on Saturday night. With the Flamingos brimming with confidence after their group stage success, the clash against the USA promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for a spot in the semi-finals.

Oluwayemi Omolagba

The Flamingos put four past their opponents from Ecuador at CFC Stadium, Santiago de los Caballeros on Saturday to qualify for the last 8.

An early dominance in the game saw Peace Effiong draw a save from the Ecuador goalkeeper from close range in the 18th minute.

Eight minutes later, Captain Taiwo was Afolabi brought down inside the area and was reviewed and awarded a penalty by the VAR.

Shakirat Moshood stepped up and sent the goalkeeper in the wrong direction to break the deadlock 2 minutes later.

Peace Effiong came close again from close range, but her effort was saved by the goalkeeper after 31 minutes of action.

Harmony Chidi found the back of the net from a goalmouth scramble but was ruled out for offside 4 minutes later as the half eventually ended 1-0.

The Nigerian girls started quietly like the first phase, dominating play and seeking to score more goals as Chidi saw her third attempt ruled for offside 5 minutes into the second half.

In the 54th minute, Chidi finally scored her first goal of the tournament off an assist from Peace Effiong.

The provider turned the goal scorer on 66 minutes after capitalising on a defensive mishap in the box of the Ecuadorians to make it 3-0.

After creating more chances at goal, Nigeria scored the 4th 6 minutes after additional time through Shakirat Moshood who extended the lead for the Flamingos with her second of the match and third of the tournament.

The win sees Coach Olowookere Bankole's girls soar into the quarter-finals of the competition.

Uche Dozie 

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has no doubts that Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, will have another great day in the office when they take on debutants Ecuador on Saturday in their second match of Group A at the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

“Our tournament strategy is to focus on the next match, take it one match at a time. We need not look farther than the next match, and now, we have Ecuador in our sights. The Ecuadorians have shown, with their defeat of the host nation, that they may be debutants but not a team to be taken for granted".

“The players have recovered well from their opening match victory over New Zealand and we are ready for Ecuador. We know that three points in that game will all but get us into the knock-out stage. It is an opportunity we will not allow to slip out of our hands.”

The win on Wednesday took Nigeria to the top of the Group A table, where they still perch courtesy of goals advantage over the Ecuadorians, who earned a 2-0 win over the Dominican Republic.

Shakirat Moshood, Taiwo Adegoke, Faridat Abdulwahab and captain Taiwo Afolabi (Player of the Match) scored the goals that condemned the girls from Down Under to a huge defeat, and will be expected to again fire on all cylinders against the South Americans.

Top scorer in the qualifying campaign with 13 goals, forward Harmony Chidi will definitely fight harder to open her goal account at the finals. Her efforts were blocked time and again by the New Zealanders, and the clash with Ecuador presents another chance to show the world what she is capable of.

Saturday’s match will kick off at 4pm Dominican Republic time (9pm Nigeria), and will take place at the same CFC Stadium where the Flamingos tore apart the New Zealanders.

Credit: NFF 

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, made an emphatic start to their 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign, dominating New Zealand with a 4-1 victory in their opening Group A match on Wednesday, Nigeriasoccernet.com writes.

Displaying attacking prowess and defensive strength, the young Nigerian side set the tone for a promising tournament run.

The Flamingos’ goals came from Shakirat Moshood, Khadijat Adegoke, Faridat Abdulwahab, and captain Taiwo Afolabi, who each found the back of the net to secure the impressive result.

New Zealand's lone goal was scored by Hannah Saxon. The match kicked off with early pressure from Nigeria, as Moshood opened the scoring just two minutes in, latching onto a pass before skillfully beating her marker in the box and firing a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Khadijat Adegoke made it 2-0 in the 13th minute with a powerful long-range effort that the New Zealand goalkeeper could not hold onto, resulting in the ball crossing the line despite her attempt to save it. By the 25th minute, the Flamingos had extended their lead to 3-0 through Faridat Abdulwahab, who curled in a stunning shot from outside the box, leaving the New Zealand defense with no chance.

Team captain Taiwo Afolabi sealed the victory with a well-placed header from a precise cross, bringing the score to 4-0. Despite Nigeria’s commanding lead, New Zealand managed to pull one back, as Hannah Saxon capitalized on a corner kick, controlling the ball before striking it past the Flamingos’ keeper with a left-footed shot.

With this strong performance, Nigeria will look to build on their momentum when they face tournament debutants Ecuador in their next Group A fixture on Saturday, October 19.

In other Group A action, the Dominican Republic, who are hosting the tournament, lost 2-0 to face Ecuador.

Oluwayemi Omolagba

Flamingos head coach Bankole Olowookere ahead of their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup opener against New Zealand is insisting that he has the ammunition to overcome opponents on their way, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

“I have confidence in the girls to deliver the goods at this competition. We have come well-prepared to do even better than we did in India. The Nigeria Football Federation has done everything to prepare the team well, with a two-week final camping here in the Dominican Republic.

“We do not under-rate any of our opponents. However, we will take it one match at a time and produce our best in each game in order to go all the way.”

Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos will gun for the maximum points when they take on their counterparts from New Zealand on Wednesday night in what is actually the first match of this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic.

By Olaleye Oluwadamilola

Nigeria Women U-17 top striker, Harmony Chidi has exhibited confidence in her and her teammates to make their World Cup participation count when the tournament begins this October, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Chidi does not see any team that will be no threat to the flamingos in group A which houses hosts, the Dominican Republic, New Zealand, and Ecuador in their bid to win the title.

The on-song forward who netted 12 goals in the qualifying series believes she and her teammates will surpass the 2023 achievement of finishing third in the tournament in India.

"The one belief that I have in all of us is that we are going to make it count. Because looking at us, you see the spirit here. Even when [the goal] isn't coming, you see the encouragement from one another.

I believe that we are going to reach the finals, and we are going to bring the medal back. The gold medal! Because we have already worked hard for this; we have made sacrifices for it."

She further stated that their opponents are beatable and they are focused on getting the job done.

"These three teams in our group, they are human beings like us. I don't believe that any of them is a threat. No matter the team it is, we are beating them. We want to prove a point, and we want to make it count for our coach. All we are thinking about is for us to defeat them."

The Flamingos will kick start their campaign against New Zealand at the CFC Stadium on the 16th of October, 2024.

Uche Dozie

Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos will gun for the maximum points when they take on their counterparts from New Zealand on Wednesday night in what is the first match of this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Dominican Republic, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Although the game between the host nation Dominican Republic and Ecuador (the other fixture in Group A) is billed as the opening match, Nigeria and New Zealand will do battle at the CFC Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros from 4pm local time (9pm in Nigeria), while the host nation and Ecuador will square up as from 9pm local time (2am Thursday in Nigeria).

Bronze medallists in the last edition of the competition in India, the Flamingos are aiming to go farther this time, with Head Coach Bankole Olowookere insisting that he has the ammunition to overcome opponents on their way.

“I have confidence in the girls to deliver the goods at this competition. We have come well-prepared to do even better than we did in India. The Nigeria Football Federation has done everything to prepare the team well, with a two-week final camping here in the Dominican Republic.

“We do not under-rate any of our opponents. However, we will take it one match at a time and produce our best in each game in order to go all the way.”

The Flamingos have previously missed taking part in only one edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals – the 2018 finals in Uruguay.

In the qualifying campaign for this year’s finals, the Nigerian girls notched 25 goals in six matches, with 13 of them scored by clinical forward Harmony Chidi.

After the encounter with New Zealand on Wednesday night, the Flamingos will confront their counterparts from Ecuador, also at the CFC Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, before their final group phase game against the host nation at the Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo. The clash with Ecuador is on Saturday, 19th October while the battle with the host nation is on Tuesday, 22nd October.

Credit: NFF

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has listed captain Taiwo Afolabi and forwards Harmony Chidi and Peace Effiong in his 21-woman Flamingos’ roster for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic, Nigeriasoccernet.com can confirm.

The clinical Chidi scored 13 of the team’s record-setting 25 goals in the qualifying series, as the bronze medallists from the last edition of the championship in India barnstormed their way past the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, and Liberia in the continental campaign.

Petite midfielder Afolabi will lead the midfield, alongside Faridat Abdulwahab, Shakirat Moshood, and Ayomide Rotimi, while first-choice goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma will have Sylvia Echefu and Elizabeth Boniface pushing her to her best all the time.

Taiwo Adegoke leads six other defenders, with Harmony Chidi leading six other forwards including Peace Effiong.

Nigeria will compete in Group A of the 16-nation finals alongside host nations Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and New Zealand.

The delegation of Flamingos will depart the shores of Nigeria aboard a Turkish Airlines flight on Tuesday, 1st October for a two-week training tour in Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic, ahead of the commencement of the tournament.

FLAMINGOS FOR FIFA U17 WORLD CUP DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 2024

Goalkeepers: Christiana Uzoma (Edo Queens); Elizabeth Boniface (Sunshine Queens); Sylvia Echefu (Confluence Queens)

Defenders: Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels); Taiwo Adegoke (Remo Stars Ladies); Rokibat Azeez (New Generation Academy); Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies); Vivian Ekezie (Heartland Queens); Ololade Isiaka (Abia Angels)

Midfielders: Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons); Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens); Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy)

Forwards: Oghenemairo Obruthe (City Sports); Harmony Chidi (Imo Strikers); Kudirat Arogundade (Green Foot); Ramotalahi Kareem (Honey Badgers); Aishat Animashaun (Naija Ratels); Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels); Blessing Ifitezue (Delta Queens)

FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024

Group A: Dominican Republic, Ecuador, New Zealand, Nigeria

Group B: Spain, USA, Korea Republic, Colombia

Group C: Korea DPR, Mexico, Kenya, England

Group D: Japan, Poland, Brazil, Zambia

Credit: NFF Media 

As part of its youth talent development program, the Nigeria Football Federation has successfully completed a two-week training program for the National U15 Boys, otherwise known as Future Eagles in Abuja. This is in line with FIFA's Talent Development Scheme (TDS) initiative aimed at creating a sustainable legacy for long-term talent development in the country, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Head of TDS delegation in Nigeria, Mr. Nasiru Jibril, a former Nigeria international, said the program is a welcome development which will serve as a pathway for every child within the ages of 12-15 to showcase themselves and be discovered.

With the main goal of the TDS project being to help raise the standards of national-team football around the world for both men and women, which is driven by FIFA’s desire for a long-term dedication to global talent development, Jibril said he is confident the program will form the major plank for supplies to our senior national teams in no distant time.

"Talent Development Scheme (TDS) is a project initiated by FIFA in all countries of the world to benefit places like Africa. Presently, we are trying to go round and give every single child the opportunity to showcase their talent. Players from the ages of 12, 13, and 14 are the ones we are bringing to this center so we can pick the best out of them and build them into a group where the national teams will be getting supplies from. From 2025, the U17 AFCON will become an annual project, and if there is no program like this, any country may struggle in assembling the best legs to represent her."

Also speaking, Head Coach of Nigeria's U15 national team, Mr Patrick Bassey said the process of recruitment has been transparent with merit as key factor, without any form of bias or sentiments.

"In the selection of the players, there has not been any sentiment; every player that was scouted and brought here has the talent, the skill and the commitment to the game. I believe these players will be very useful to the nation in the long run."

A total of 120 players divided into two batches were invited to camp for the first phase of the program, with 40 players to be selected for another schedule before the end of the year, according to Coach Bassey.

Credit: NFF Media 

Japanese forward Chinari Sasai has revealed her team's secret after defeating Falconets of Nigeria 2-1 in the round 16 game of the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in Colombia to go through to the last 8, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The win condemned Christopher Danjuma's side to a ten-year consecutive knockout loss as their promising dream for a world title comes to an end.

“We knew that Nigeria is physically stronger and faster than us, but everyone was able to stay focused and score the first goal, and then the second. I’m very happy because this is a victory we won together as a team”, Chinari Sasai, Japan forward stated in her post-game assessment.

Japan will face Spain in the quarter-finals, in a re-match of the final match of the last edition in Costa Rica two years ago.

By Olaleye Oluwadamilola