馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Flying Eagles to begin WAFU B U-20 Championship title defense against Ghana
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Nigeria's Flying Eagles will start their WAFU B U-20 Championship title defense against Ghana today, Monday, in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast. This match is a repeat of the last edition's final, where Nigeria defeated the Black Satellites 2-1 in Lom茅, Togo, to retain the title they first won in 2022. New head coach Abdu Maikaba aims for a winning start, stating, "We are going for an outright victory against Ghana because our objective is to retain the trophy and we have to start winning our matches from Day One." The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. local time 3 p.m. Nigeria time at the Lyc茅e Scientifique de Yamoussoukro. Nigeria recently secured a 2-1 friendly victory against Athl茅tique Club de Zenuola. A win against Ghana would significantly boost the seven-time African champions' chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. Nigeria's subsequent Group B matches are against Togo on July 30 and Burkina Faso on August 2, both at 2 p.m. local time. Hosts Ivory Coast are in Group A with Benin Republic and Niger Republic.
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Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission, expressed optimism that Team Nigeria's athletics contingent could secure between seven and eight gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Track and field events commenced on Monday, with Nigeria participating in various categories including the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 100m heats, women鈥檚 hammer throw, and women鈥檚 F57 para shot put. Favour Ashe and Fakorede Adekalu will represent Nigeria in the men鈥檚 100m heats, while Miracle Ezechukwu will compete in the women鈥檚 100m heats. Sade Olatoye is set for the women鈥檚 hammer throw, and Eucharia Iyiazi will contest the women鈥檚 F57 para shot put. Olopade highlighted the high morale within the athletics team and the positive projections from the NSC鈥檚 elite board. She also emphasized the commission's commitment to athlete welfare, stating it is a key pillar of the current administration. In other news, weightlifter Ruth Nyong added a silver medal to Team Nigeria's tally in the women鈥檚 48kg event, bringing the total for Nigerian lifters to three gold and four silver medals before the event's conclusion on Sunday.
A suspect has been arrested and confessed to stealing cash from several Super Falcons players at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco. The incident occurred days before Nigeria's opening match at the 2026 Women鈥檚 Africa Cup of Nations. Midfielder Esther Okoronkwo stated on social media that she, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade were among those from whom over $1,000 was stolen. Okoronkwo also accused hotel staff of disrespect and failing to address the matter properly. Following public complaints, Nigerian journalist Colin Udoh confirmed the arrest and confession, adding that full restitution would be made to the players. The Super Falcons, who had been training in Mohammedia before moving to Rabat, are now focused on their tournament campaign, set to begin against Malawi on Tuesday.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation has selected Ogun State as a key Nigerian state to lead the country's transition to a circular economy. This recognition is based on Ogun's environmental sustainability initiatives and climate change programs. Ogun is now part of Project 220145 Component 2, which aims to advance Nigeria's green and just transition to net-zero emissions through circular economy efforts. The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, stated that this recognition validates the state's environmental policies and adds to its achievements in climate change programs and circular economy projects. Ogun State's environmental interventions include distributing biomass smokeless stoves to over 3,000 residents, deploying electric motorcycles and compressed natural gas buses, and implementing the Blue Box waste segregation scheme, Plastic for Cash recycling program, community recycling projects, cement industry decarbonisation initiatives, and senatorial material recovery centers. These initiatives aim to promote resource recovery, reduce pollution, and create green jobs. Emem Umana, National Field Coordinator of the UNIDO Nigeria Office, commended Ogun State for its commitment and urged it to continue its environmental and socio-economic reforms, highlighting its international recognition and role as a model for other states pursuing green development.