Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman made an impressive start to Atletico Madrid's pre-season campaign by scoring twice in the club's opening friendly, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Nigerian international was named in Diego Simeone's starting lineup against Getafe and wasted little time making his mark with an outstanding attacking display.

Lookman opened the scoring before adding his second with a brilliantly taken finish, helping Atletico Madrid begin their preparations for the new season on a positive note.

The 28-year-old joined the Spanish club in January and was unable to complete a full pre-season with his new teammates ahead of the previous campaign.

With a full preparation period now behind him, Lookman is expected to play a more prominent role for Atletico during the 2026/27 season.

Reports in Spain suggest Simeone plans to deploy the Super Eagles star primarily as a second striker rather than in his more familiar wide attacking role, a tactical adjustment that could further enhance his goalscoring threat in the upcoming campaign.

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has accepted responsibility for Nigeria's shock defeat to Malawi and promised improvements ahead of the team's crucial second Group C fixture at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The defending champions suffered a disappointing 3-2 loss to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening match, leaving their hopes of reaching the knockout stage hanging in the balance.

Speaking after the game, Madugu acknowledged the disappointment of the result, accepted the criticism that followed, and assured Nigerians that the team would work hard to correct the mistakes that led to the defeat.

"There will always be criticism and comments when things go wrong. We accept those things, we accept responsibility for whatever happened, and we'll try to work on it," Madugu said.

"Whatever mistakes were made, the players are very flexible, and we'll correct them next time.

"It's a wake-up call for all of us, and we know how important this edition is. We're not taking anything for granted."

The Super Falcons must now defeat Zambia's Copper Queens in their next outing to keep alive their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage of the competition.

The decisive Group C encounter is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, with Nigeria seeking an immediate response after the disappointing opening-day setback.

Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala has called on Nigerians to rally behind the national women's team, insisting they cannot afford to miss qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup, especially after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 men's tournament, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The defending African champions suffered a shocking 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening Group C match at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

Temwa Chawinga scored twice, while her sister Tabitha Chawinga also found the net as the Scorchers recorded a famous victory over Nigeria.

The defeat has left the Super Falcons under pressure, with victories against Zambia and Egypt now crucial if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage and securing qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup alive.

Zambia made an emphatic start to their campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory over Egypt, inspired by a four-goal haul from star forward Barbra Banda.

Reacting to the disappointing result, Oshoala described the loss as a timely wake-up call and appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the team.

"This is a wake-up call for the team. The Super Eagles didn't qualify for the World Cup, so we know what's at stake. What we need right now is the support of all Nigerians."

The Super Falcons have featured at every edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup since the inaugural tournament in China in 1991, with their best performance coming in 1999 when they reached the quarter-finals in the United States.

By contrast, the Super Eagles have now missed qualification for two consecutive FIFA World Cups after failing to secure places at both the 2022 and 2026 tournaments.

Super Eagles winger Yira Collins Sor is edging closer to a move to Turkish Super Lig newcomers Amedspor as negotiations continue with Belgian Pro League side KRC Genk, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

According to TransferFeed, discussions between both clubs are progressing positively, although a final agreement on the transfer has yet to be reached.

Sor, whose current contract with Genk expires next year, is widely expected to leave the Belgian club this summer after indications that he will not be offered a new deal.

Should the transfer be completed, the 26-year-old Nigerian will reunite with fellow countryman Gift Orban, who recently joined Amedspor on a season-long loan from Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim.

The former Flying Eagles winger joined Genk from Czech club Slavia Prague in January 2023 in a deal reportedly worth €6.5 million.

Despite arriving with high expectations, Sor has struggled to establish himself as a regular at the Belgian club, with recurring injuries limiting his appearances and preventing him from consistently showcasing his quality.

A move to Amedspor could offer the Nigerian international the fresh start and regular playing time he needs as he looks to revive his career ahead of the new season.

Remo Stars have officially announced the appointment of Olumide Ajibolade as the club's new head coach, entrusting the highly rated tactician with the responsibility of leading the Sky Blue Stars into a new era, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Ajibolade steps into the role after establishing an outstanding reputation in youth development and team management within the Remo Stars football structure.

The young coach joined the Remo Stars Academy in 2019 as head coach of the U-17 team before taking charge of Beyond Limits Football Academy following its establishment in 2021.

During his time with Beyond Limits, Ajibolade transformed the academy into one of Nigeria's leading talent development projects, enjoying sustained success across several competitions.

Under his guidance, Beyond Limits won five TCC League titles in six seasons, claiming the championships in 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2025/26.

His impressive record also includes consecutive TCC Cup triumphs in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, the TCC Super Cup title in 2025, and Ogun State FA Cup victories in 2024 and 2026.

Ajibolade also enjoyed remarkable success in league football, guiding Beyond Limits from the Nationwide League One (NLO) to the Nigeria National League (NNL) during the 2022/23 campaign before securing another promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) the following season.

The memorable 2023/24 campaign ended with Beyond Limits lifting the Nigeria National League title in Enugu, further cementing his reputation as one of the country's brightest young coaches.

Widely recognised for his commitment to player development, Ajibolade has overseen the growth of several talented youngsters who have progressed to professional careers with clubs across Europe and other parts of the world.

He now takes charge of Remo Stars with the objective of guiding the club back to the Nigeria Premier Football League at the first attempt following last season's relegation.

The Lagos State Mini Football Association has announced that the maiden edition of its grassroots league will begin on August 1, with 30 teams set to participate as part of efforts to promote the sport at the community level, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Chairman of the association and Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, disclosed the plans during a media briefing ahead of Friday's exhibition and celebrity novelty match at the newly constructed Mini Football Pitch at Keke Primary School, Agege.

Obasa revealed that the inaugural competition will feature 20 men's teams and 10 women's teams drawn from grassroots communities, describing the month of August as a significant period for the development of mini football in Lagos.

"The month of August will be huge for us and the sport, as we intend to promote the Mini Football League among young talents in the Agege community. Interestingly, it's a sport played almost daily by many.

"There are numerous pros to mini football; players can showcase their talents and improve their technical skills within a small playing area.

"Our main goal is to develop sports in Lagos, and Agege Local Government is determined to extend the sport's reach beyond the community.

"We plan to select a squad to represent Nigeria at the Women's Mini Football AFCON in September, which will be hosted by Cameroon. The scouting process began last weekend, and this momentum will continue to build," Obasa said.

Vice-Chairman of the Lagos State Mini Football Association and executive member of the national body, Sheriff Tajudeen, explained that Agege was chosen to host the inaugural tournament because of Lagos State's reputation as a major sporting hub in Nigeria.

"Agege is hosting the inaugural event because Lagos State is a key hub for sports in Nigeria.

"Mini football is a six-a-side game played on a smaller pitch with rules that differ from traditional football, and it continues to gain popularity around the world. Nigeria is eager to be part of that growth," he stated.

Tajudeen disclosed that the competition has no age restriction and will be staged across three venues in Agege and Orile-Agege, with matches taking place simultaneously on weekends over a four-week period.

He added that the 20 men's teams have been split into Groups A and B, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals, while all 10 women's teams will compete at a single venue.

The organisers have also announced prize money of ?3 million for the men's champions and ?1.5 million for the winners of the women's competition.

According to Tajudeen, the tournament is designed to discover emerging talents, engage young people positively, educate participants on the rules of mini football, and strengthen community involvement through sports.

He further revealed that 11 states are currently participating in mini football nationwide, with plans to expand the sport to all 36 states before the end of 2026.

Dutch Eredivisie giants Ajax have officially completed the signing of Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan deal with an option to make the move permanent, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The 25-year-old Nigerian forward joins the Amsterdam club as part of Ajax's efforts to strengthen their attacking department ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Reacting to the arrival of the Super Eagles striker, Ajax official Jordy Cruijff highlighted Arokodare's unique qualities and expressed confidence that he would make a significant impact.

"With Tolu, we are bringing in a striker with a profile that we did not previously have," Cruijff said.

"We are confident that he will make an important contribution."

Arokodare arrives at the Johan Cruyff Arena with the expectation of playing a key role in Ajax's ambitions both domestically and in European competitions.

The Nigerian international will be aiming to establish himself as a regular starter and help the Dutch giants challenge for major honours during the new season.

The agreement also includes an option for Ajax to complete a permanent transfer at the end of the loan spell if the striker impresses during the 2026/27 campaign.

Turkish Super Lig side Konyaspor have officially completed the signing of Nigeria international Chidozie Awaziem on a two-year contract ahead of the 2026/27 season, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The deal was concluded during a signing ceremony held at the Konyaspor Museum inside the club's stadium, with Football Branch Manager Ali Camgöz in attendance to welcome the experienced defender.

Awaziem arrives with a wealth of experience gained across Europe and North America, having begun his professional career with Portuguese giants Porto before enjoying spells at Nantes, Çaykur Rizespor, Leganés, Boavista, Alanyaspor, Hajduk Split, FC Cincinnati and Colorado Rapids.

The Super Eagles centre-back has been assigned the number 15 jersey and is expected to add quality, leadership and experience to Konyaspor's backline as the club prepares for the new Turkish Super Lig campaign.

Welcoming the Nigerian defender, Konyaspor expressed confidence that Awaziem's experience and defensive qualities will prove valuable as the club targets a successful season in domestic competition.

Nigeria's Falconets delivered another statement performance in their build-up to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, cruising to a resounding 9-0 victory over NAF Queens FC in a friendly match at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The seven-time African champions dominated proceedings from the opening whistle, combining clinical finishing with disciplined team play as they continued to fine-tune preparations for the global showpiece.

Chiamaka Ezekinugo was the standout performer in the opening stages, racing to a remarkable hat-trick with goals in the 1st, 3rd and 15th minutes to put the Falconets firmly in control.

Winner David added a fourth just a minute later, while Mary Mamudu found the back of the net in the 26th minute to hand the hosts a comfortable five-goal cushion before the interval.

The Falconets maintained their attacking intensity after the restart, with Alaba Folajomi extending the lead in the 59th minute before Oscar Precious got on the scoresheet with the team's seventh goal in the 78th minute.

Queen completed the rout with two stoppage-time strikes, scoring in the 90+3rd and 90+5th minutes to seal an emphatic victory.

The comprehensive win underlines the Falconets' growing confidence and sharpness ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, with the coaching staff expected to take plenty of encouragement from another dominant all-round display.

Goalscorers:

Chiamaka Ezekinugo – 1', 3', 15'

Winner David – 16'

Mary Mamudu – 26'

Alaba Folajomi – 59'

Oscar Precious – 78'

Queen – 90+3', 90+5'

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) could receive a substantial financial boost after FIFA unveiled plans for what it describes as the largest football development investment programme in the history of the game, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

World football's governing body has proposed increasing global football development funding to more than $10 billion over the coming years, subject to approval by its 211 Member Associations and the FIFA Council.

Central to the proposal is the establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a FIFA-owned commercial subsidiary that will oversee the organisation's broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing, licensing, and tournament operations.

FIFA believes the new structure will maximise the commercial value of its competitions, generate additional revenue, and create greater investment opportunities for football development across the world.

If approved, every FIFA Member Association, including the NFF and the other 53 African football federations, will benefit from increased allocations under an expanded FIFA Forward Programme.

The proposal also includes an optional one-off capital grant of $20 million for each member association through the newly created FIFA Fast Forward Programme (FFFP).

The grant is expected to support major football infrastructure projects, including stadium construction, national training centres, and other long-term development initiatives.

FIFA also plans to significantly increase its regular Forward Programme funding, with each member association receiving $20 million during the 2027–2030 cycle, up from the current $8 million allocation.

The funding would then increase to $22 million for the 2031–2034 cycle before rising again to $24 million during the 2035–2038 period.

According to FIFA, the expanded programme will be financed through an initial capital raise of up to $4.2 billion, based on an estimated valuation of $20 billion for the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise.

Should the proposal receive the required approval, the NFF will gain access to significantly increased financial resources to strengthen football infrastructure, expand grassroots development programmes, and deliver other strategic football projects across Nigeria.

Super Eagles striker Toluwalase Arokodare has successfully completed his medical ahead of his proposed loan move to Dutch giants Ajax from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Sources close to the Amsterdam club indicate that the Nigerian international emerged as Ajax's preferred attacking target as they strengthen their squad for the new season.

Arokodare attracted interest from several European clubs during the transfer window, with Italian Serie A sides Genoa and Fiorentina, German outfit Hamburg, and Turkish club Trabzonspor all monitoring his situation.

Fiorentina's pursuit ultimately collapsed after both clubs failed to reach an agreement over the loan fee and the player's wage structure.

Ajax moved quickly to finalise the deal and spent Tuesday completing the necessary paperwork, with the transfer expected to be officially concluded by Wednesday.

The agreement will see the Nigerian forward join Ajax on an initial loan deal with an option to make the move permanent for €18 million.

The purchase option could increase to €20 million through performance-related bonuses, including incentives tied to Ajax securing qualification for European competitions.

If the deal is completed as expected, Arokodare will begin the next chapter of his career in the Eredivisie, where he is expected to bolster Ajax's attacking options as the club targets domestic success and a return to European prominence.

Besiktas sporting director Onder Ozent has dismissed reports claiming the Turkish club has received an official transfer offer for Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Nigerian midfielder has been the subject of intense transfer speculation in recent weeks, with reports linking him to a potential move away from the Turkish Super Lig outfit during the summer transfer window.

Several Turkish media outlets, including Milliyet, claimed Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad had submitted an offer for the experienced midfielder. However, Ozent clarified that although there is genuine interest from Saudi Arabia, no formal proposal has reached the club.

"There is interest from Saudi Arabia in Ndidi. However, no official written offer has yet arrived. If one comes, we will evaluate it," Ozent told a news conference.

Ndidi joined Besiktas from Leicester City last summer and quickly established himself as one of the club's key performers with a series of commanding displays in midfield.

The 29-year-old featured in 31 matches across all competitions during the 2025/26 campaign, contributing two goals as he helped the Black Eagles compete in domestic and European competitions.

With the transfer window still open, Besiktas are expected to continue monitoring developments, while the club maintains that no official bid has been submitted for the Nigerian international.

Nigerian defender Somto Boniface has expressed his excitement after completing a season-long loan move to Leyton Orient from Ipswich Town, saying he is eager to make a positive impact at his new club, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The highly-rated full-back believes the move represents the ideal next step in his development and is determined to repay the faith shown in him by the club's coaching staff throughout the campaign.

"I'm very excited to be joining the club for the season. I'm fully committed to giving this everything I have, and I am looking forward to meeting all of our fans at our stadium," Boniface told the club's official website.

"I feel like this is the next natural step in my career. I came to meet the gaffer and Scott Mitchell on Monday, and they explained to me in real detail where they see me fitting in.

"I am focused on my defensive work, but most of all I like to get forward and make things happen in attacking areas."

Leyton Orient Director of Football Scott Mitchell also welcomed the youngster, describing him as one of the club's exciting additions ahead of the new season.

"Somto is a very exciting young player, who has had a fantastic footballing education at both Chelsea and Ipswich Town. He is a front-footed full-back who we believe can make a positive impact at both ends of the pitch for us.

"He has excelled in Premier League 2 in recent years, and now the challenge for him is to come to Leyton Orient and fight for his place in a senior team. Somto is another good character, and I'm sure he will fit into our dressing room seamlessly."

Boniface will now look to establish himself in the Leyton Orient first team and continue his development with regular senior football during the 2026/27 season.

Former Nigerian international Friday Ekpo has urged the Super Falcons to use their disappointing defeat to Malawi as motivation as they seek to keep their 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations campaign alive, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The defending champions suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their Group C opener on Tuesday, leaving their hopes of reaching the knockout stage hanging in the balance.

Malawi took control of the contest in the second half, with Temwa Chawinga opening the scoring in the 73rd minute before her sister, Tabitha Chawinga, doubled the advantage six minutes later.

Nigeria mounted a late comeback after captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted a penalty in the second minute of stoppage time to reduce the deficit.

However, Malawi quickly restored their two-goal lead when Temwa Chawinga completed her brace in the fifth minute of added time.

Substitute Uchenna Kanu pulled another goal back for the Super Falcons deep into stoppage time, but the Nigerians were unable to find an equaliser as Malawi held on to record one of the biggest upsets in WAFCON history.

Reacting to the result, Ekpo admitted he was disappointed by the performance but remains optimistic that the Super Falcons can recover and progress from the group.

"It's disappointing to know that the Super Falcons lost their opening game against Malawi. On paper, many people would have predicted that Nigeria would overcome Malawi, but that is not the case.

"I expect the team to learn from this defeat against Malawi and bounce back to winning ways in their next game. I am still confident that the Super Falcons will qualify from the group despite their opening defeat."

Nigeria must now secure a positive result in their next Group C fixture to revive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals, while Malawi's historic victory has significantly strengthened the debutants' chances of advancing to the knockout stage.

Tournament debutants Malawi produced the biggest upset of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after defeating defending champions Nigeria 3-2 in a dramatic Group C encounter on Tuesday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Scorchers claimed a famous victory thanks to goals from sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, while Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade and substitute Uchenna Kanu found the net for Nigeria in a frantic finish.

The defeat leaves the Super Falcons with little margin for error, as they must now secure a positive result against Zambia in their second group game on Saturday to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.

For Malawi, victory over Egypt in their next fixture would guarantee a place in the quarter-finals.

Earlier on Tuesday, Zambia had made a strong statement by thrashing Egypt 6-0, with Barbara Banda scoring four goals to send the Copper Queens to the top of the group.

Malawi threatened early in the contest, but Tosin Demehin produced a timely block to prevent the opening goal.

Nigeria responded with a series of chances, as Esther Okoronkwo's header was comfortably saved in the 18th minute before Ajibade also saw her header from an Okoronkwo corner denied by the Malawian goalkeeper.

Chiamaka Nnadozie was called into action late in the first half, stretching to intercept a dangerous cross that looked destined for a Malawian attacker.

The Super Falcons resumed the second half brightly, with Ajibade forcing another save from the goalkeeper shortly after the restart.

However, it was Malawi who broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when Temwa Chawinga beat the offside trap, rounded Nnadozie, and calmly slotted into the empty net.

Nigeria pushed for an equaliser, but Malawi's disciplined defensive display frustrated the nine-time African champions.

The Scorchers doubled their advantage with 10 minutes remaining after Tabitha Chawinga raced onto a long pass before finishing beneath the advancing Nnadozie.

Ajibade gave Nigeria hope in stoppage time by converting a penalty after Uchenna Kanu's goal-bound header was handled inside the area.

Malawi responded almost immediately, with Temwa Chawinga grabbing her second goal of the evening by lifting the ball over Nnadozie after the goalkeeper rushed off her line to make it 3-1.

Kanu pulled another goal back in the 99th minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the box to reduce the deficit, but it proved too late as Malawi held on to record a memorable victory and claim all three points.

Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has expressed confidence ahead of Nigeria's opening match at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, insisting the team is fully prepared to begin its title defence with victory over Malawi, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The defending champions will face the tournament debutants in their Group C opener at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, with kick-off scheduled for 9:00 p.m. Nigeria time. The encounter presents Nigeria with an opportunity to make an early statement in their quest for a record-extending 11th WAFCON title.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Rabat, Ajibade revealed that the squad is in high spirits and determined to take the tournament one game at a time.

"The team's spirit is high. Everyone is fully focused. We know why we're here, and we are ready to take things one step at a time. So we're 100 per cent ready," Ajibade said.

The skipper also acknowledged the progress made by Malawi, urging her teammates not to underestimate the Scorchers despite their status as first-time participants.

"We're approaching every team with a sense of humility and respect. Seeing Malawi qualify for WAFCON for the first time shows the progress they are making and the intentional investment in women's football.

"Some of their players are competing in the top five leagues, which shows the future of women's football in Africa is very bright."

Ajibade stressed that securing all three points remains Nigeria's primary objective, regardless of the style of play.

"A good performance for the Super Falcons is to win three points because that's what matters in this tournament. You can talk about how you play, the tactics and everything else, but if you do all that and don't win, I don't think it counts for anything."

Nigeria will also face Zambia and Egypt in their remaining Group C fixtures as they look to progress to the knockout stage and retain the continental crown.

Warri Wolves head coach Hassan Abdallah has trimmed his squad by releasing six players following the club's 1-0 defeat to Rangers in a pre-season friendly in Asaba, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Seasiders fielded a revamped starting XI for the encounter, with nine new signings handed opportunities to impress. Those who started included goalkeeper Miracle UK Alike, Sani Ahmed, Okon Samuel, Wisdom Tom, George Ekong, Alex Aguodoh, Town Eventus and Auwa Abubakar.

As the game progressed, Abdallah also assessed several players from the bench, introducing Blessing Ndubuisi, Kennedy Osamudiame, Ita Peters, Yusuf Omotayo, Christian Mayoku, Daniel Ezegbu and Emmanuel Utuyo at various stages of the contest.

Following his evaluation of the team's display, the coach decided to part ways with six players, explaining that the decision was based on their performances and suitability to his tactical philosophy.

"Pre-season games serve as an avenue to assess your players' individual performances, their understanding and adaptation to your philosophy, and their ability to blend with the rest of the team.

"And it's after such careful assessment and technical evaluation of the players' contributions to the overall development of the team that you can say, yes, this or that player will or will not be an asset to the team. That's what we've just done," Abdallah said.

The former Katsina United coach, however, declined to disclose the identities of the released players, insisting that doing so could negatively affect their careers or transfer prospects.

"It's not necessary at this point to begin mentioning names. Doing so would affect their careers at their parent clubs or their potential market value. But, in all, six players are affected in this exercise."

With the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season set to kick off next month, Abdallah also appealed to the Delta State Government for increased support as the club continues preparations for the new campaign.

"It's just that we want the state government to support us very, very well, financially and otherwise.

"And I think they have been doing that. But like the proverbial Oliver Twist, we need even more of their maximum support. For now, however, things are moving on well," he concluded.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has strongly condemned the racist abuse directed at Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo on social media following the theft incident involving the team's stay at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The federation's statement followed reports that a suspect accused of stealing cash from members of the Super Falcons squad was arrested by Moroccan authorities. According to the NFF, the stolen money was fully recovered, while the individual responsible was sentenced to six months in prison.

Despite the resolution of the case, Okoronkwo became the target of racist comments and offensive emojis on social media, prompting the NFF to issue a firm response in defence of the Nigerian international.

"The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) strongly condemns the unacceptable racist abuse directed at Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo on social media following recent incidents at the team's hotel in Morocco.

"The racist abuse and emojis directed at our player make absolutely no sense, especially as the individual responsible for the theft was apprehended, made to return the stolen cash in full, and sentenced to six months in prison."

The federation reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of the Super Falcons, stressing that the team remains united and fully focused on its objectives at the tournament.

"The safety, dignity, and well-being of our players remain our utmost priority. The entire team stands united, unbothered by distractions, and fully focused on tomorrow's WAFCON2026 opener against Malawi."

The Super Falcons will begin the defence of their Women's Africa Cup of Nations title against tournament debutants Malawi at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday evening as they bid to win a record-extending 11th continental crown.

Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare is on the verge of joining Dutch giants Ajax on an initial season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the Eredivisie club holding an option to make the move permanent, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Under the proposed agreement, Wolves will receive a £1 million loan fee, while an additional payment of around £500,000 could be triggered if Ajax qualify for European competition during the campaign.

The move is expected to bolster Ajax's attacking options as the Amsterdam-based club continues preparations for the new season.

Arokodare has attracted attention with his physical presence, pace, and goalscoring qualities, making him a valuable addition to Ajax's frontline as they look to compete for domestic honours and return to the European stage.

The temporary switch represents another important milestone in the Nigerian forward's career, providing him with the opportunity to showcase his talent at one of Europe's most successful clubs while giving Ajax the flexibility to secure his services permanently if he impresses during the loan spell.

Defending champions Nigeria began their WAFU B U-20 Championship title defence emphatically with a 4-2 victory over arch-rivals Ghana in their Group B opener on Monday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The highly anticipated clash was a repeat of the 2024 final in Lomé, Togo, where the Flying Eagles edged the Black Satellites 2-1 to retain the regional crown.

Nigeria made a blistering start, with Olayemi Ayinla breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute to give the Flying Eagles an early advantage. Oraro Lucky doubled the lead on the half-hour mark before Muiz Adeleke calmly converted a penalty in the 40th minute to hand the seven-time African champions a commanding 3-1 lead at the interval.

Ghana responded with renewed determination after the break, but Nigeria remained in control. Adeleke completed his brace from the penalty spot in the 89th minute to seal an entertaining 4-2 victory and ensure the Flying Eagles opened their campaign with maximum points.

Goalscorers

Olayemi Ayinla – 6'

Oraro Lucky – 30'

Muiz Adeleke – 40' (Penalty), 89' (Penalty)

The convincing victory strengthens Nigeria's bid to retain the WAFU B U-20 Championship title while boosting their hopes of qualifying for the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Flying Eagles have established themselves as the dominant force in the competition in recent years. Isa Ladan Bosso guided Nigeria to the title in Niamey, Niger Republic, before Aliyu Zubairu led the team to another triumph in Lomé after defeating Ghana in the 2024 final.

Current head coach Abdu Maikaba has repeatedly stated that his objective is to successfully defend the regional title while securing qualification for the continental championship, and his side has taken the perfect first step toward achieving that goal.

Nigeria will continue their Group B campaign against Togo on July 30 before rounding off the group stage against Burkina Faso. Positive results in both fixtures would further strengthen the Flying Eagles' chances of progressing to the knockout stage.

Match Summary

WAFU B U-20 Championship – Group B

Full Time: Nigeria 4-2 Ghana

Half Time: Nigeria 3-1 Ghana