🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Flamingos begin World Cup qualifier preparations with 6-0 victory over Generation Next
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, started their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier preparations with a 6-0 win against Generation Next in Abuja. The friendly match, which was 60 minutes long, saw the Flamingos lead 4-0 at halftime before being stopped in the 54th minute due to heavy rain. Shavih Istifanus scored the first goal, followed by two goals from Tobiloba Sarafa. Harmony Chidi added another, with Aminat Adebisi scoring before halftime and Precious Paul completing the scoring in the second half. Head coach Akeem Ishola Busari is overseeing a training camp in Abuja with 36 players as the team prepares for their second-round qualifier against Guinea. The squad includes five goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 13 midfielders, and eight forwards. Busari, who recently replaced Bankole Olowookere, is managing his first major assignment with the team. Nigeria will play Guinea in a two-legged tie, with the first leg away between May 22 and 24, and the return fixture in Abuja on May 30. The Flamingos are scheduled to play another friendly against Nazareth Queens to further assess player readiness.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo. This demand follows alleged defamatory statements made by Okonkwo during a television interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Monday, June 8. Obi's lawyers, led by Alex Ejesieme SAN, sent a letter dated June 9, 2026, accusing Okonkwo of making false and malicious allegations. These allegations, subsequently published by various media, included claims that Obi and NDC leaders in the South-East demanded a N10 million bribe from House of Representatives aspirants, that Obi compiled candidate lists from a hotel room, and that he was involved in criminal activities and collecting money from people abroad. Obi's legal team stated these remarks falsely portrayed him as engaging in bribery, extortion, fraud, and criminal conduct, describing the allegations as "false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact." They have given Okonkwo seven days to withdraw the statements, publish an "unequivocal and unreserved" apology with similar prominence, and pay the N5 billion for damages to Obi's reputation. Failure to comply will result in legal action, including claims for damages and injunctive reliefs. In response, Okonkwo dismissed the demand on his X handle, stating he had not yet read the letter and suggesting Obi was seeking campaign funds. He warned that any
Must ReadTwelve people were killed in a mass shooting at an informal settlement near Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday night. South African police reported that more than 10 armed individuals arrived in a vehicle, stormed the settlement, and opened fire on residents at multiple locations before fleeing. Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi stated that eight adult males and three adult females were pronounced dead at the scene, with one additional person dying later in the hospital. The incident occurred in Cleveland, approximately six kilometers east of Johannesburg city center. The motive for the attack is currently unknown, and no arrests have been made. This event is the latest in a country that experiences a high rate of homicides daily, often linked to gang rivalry and competition among informal businesses.
Lionel Messi scored within minutes of his return from injury, helping Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Iceland in their final World Cup warm-up match in Auburn, Alabama. Messi, who started on the bench due to muscle fatigue, entered the game in the final quarter and scored his 117th international goal. Valentin Barco opened the scoring for Argentina, and Thiago Almada added a third goal after a pass from Messi. Argentina will begin their World Cup defense against Algeria on June 16, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan in Group J.