WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Sex Scandal in US soccer League: players halt play in ‘solidarity’ moment
Players from the Washington Spirit and Gotham FC halted play on Wednesday (Oct 6), leading protests against sexual misconduct scandals that have swept across the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in recent weeks.
NWSL games resumed on Wednesday with three fixtures after the league called off games last weekend following the latest revelations to hit the top professional women’s league in the United States.
Banners and signs declaring, “PROTECT THE PLAYERS” and “NO MORE SILENCE” also ringed the pitches.
Washington and Gotham players halted play in the sixth minute in what was described as a gesture of “solidarity” by the NWSL Players’ Association, and similar protests followed at the games between the North Carolina Courage and Racing Louisville in Cary, North Carolina, and between the Portland Thorns and Houston Dash.
An hour before the Portland v Houston game, the club announced general manager Gavin Wilkinson had been placed on administrative leave.
“Tonight, we reclaim our place on the field, because we will not let our joy be taken from us,” the NWSLPA statement read. “But this is not business as usual.”
Spirit and Gotham players joined arms on the centre circle for the pause in play, which was timed to reflect the number of years it took for allegations against former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley to be addressed.
Riley was fired last week for “very serious allegations of misconduct”. Two players, Sinead Farrelly and Meleana “Mana” Shim, accused Riley of misconduct during his time as Portland Thorns coach in 2015.
According to The Athletic, which first broke the news, Riley has denied “the majority” of the allegations in its report.
“Players will join together in solidarity at the centre circle for one minute in honour of the six years it took for Mana, Sinead and all those who fought for too long to be heard,” the statement read.
“We call on fans to stand in silence with us. During that time, we ask you to stand in that pain and discomfort with us, as we consider what we have been asked to sit with for too long.”
Allegations of sexual harassment and abusive or bullying behaviour by coaches and officials in the NWSL have snowballed in recent months.
NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird resigned on Friday following criticism of her handling of the complaints. The issue has also prompted investigations by US Soccer and Fifa, the sport’s world body.
The NWSL players’ association statement detailed a list of demands being made by the union, which included a request for every coach and general manager to submit to the independent investigation into abusive conduct.
The players’ union also called for an investigation announced by the NWSL on Sunday to be expanded in scope to include all 12 NWSL clubs as well as league staff.
-Reuters/AFP
It was a grim Sunday for Nigerian football as the country suffered two major defeats within hours.
Barely after Remo Stars were thrashed 5-1 by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League, the national U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, fell 4-1 to Canada in their opening match of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Group D encounter, played at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2) in Salé, near Rabat, saw the Canadians dominate proceedings, particularly in the second half.
Canada took the lead as early as the second minute when Molly Hale made a strong run down the left flank before Gabriela Istocki finished off her cross to put the North Americans ahead.
The Flamingos, however, responded well. They took control of the midfield, with captain Shakirat Moshood testing goalkeeper Khadijah Cisse with a long-range drive in the 9th minute and firing another effort just over the bar four minutes later.
Nigeria’s persistence paid off on the half hour mark when Cisse failed to hold on to a shot from Kaosarat Olanrewaju, allowing Queen Joseph to bundle in the rebound for the equalizer.
After the break, the Flamingos started brightly, with Chisom Nwachukwu troubling the Canadian defence, but their momentum waned as the match wore on. In the 73rd minute, substitute Melisa Kekic restored Canada’s lead with a composed finish past Elizabeth Boniface.
Goalkeeper Boniface’s error in the 80th minute allowed another substitute, Julia Amireh, to make it 3-1 before Amireh struck again six minutes later, outpacing the Nigerian defence to slot in Canada’s fourth goal.
The result leaves Nigeria bottom of Group D after the first round of matches. The Flamingos will hope to revive their campaign when they face France on Wednesday evening.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Barely days after the Super Eagles crushed Benin Republic’s hopes of a maiden FIFA World Cup appearance, Nigeria’s senior women’s team, the Super Falcons, are set to deliver another blow to their West African neighbours — this time in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.
Both teams will face off in a two-legged final qualifying fixture for the tournament, which will be hosted by Morocco and also serve as Africa’s qualification route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Nigeria, the 10-time African champions, enter the clash as overwhelming favourites. The first leg will be played at the Stade Kégué in Lomé, Togo, as Benin Republic currently lacks a CAF-approved home venue. The decisive return leg will take place at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Head coach Justine Madugu has named a 21-player squad for the encounter, comprising three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders, and six forwards.
The squad includes some of Nigeria’s biggest stars: captain Rasheedat Ajibade, recently crowned Player of the Tournament at the last WAFCON in Morocco and a scorer for her club Paris Saint-Germain in Thursday’s UEFA Women’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid; two-time African Goalkeeper of the Year Chiamaka Nnadozie; defenders Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre; midfielders Jennifer Echegini and Deborah Abiodun; and forwards Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Folashade Ijamilusi.
Also returning to the fold are Osinachi Ohale, the experienced Mexico-based defender; Christy Ucheibe, the tough-tackling midfielder; and Esther Okoronkwo, one of Nigeria’s emerging attacking options.
With Nigeria’s rich history and depth in women’s football, the Super Falcons will be looking to assert their dominance once again — and deny Benin Republic a first-ever WAFCON appearance, just as their male counterparts did in the World Cup race.
SUPER FALCONS FOR WAFCON QUALIFYING FIXTURE VS BÉNIN:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels)
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Forwards: Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorrin FC, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens)
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Nigeria’s U17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, will begin their quest for glory at the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on Sunday when they face Canada at Pitch 2 of the Football Academy Mohammed VI in Salé.
The match rekindles a rivalry that dates back 13 years — their only previous encounter at this level ended in a 1–1 draw. This time, however, both sides enter the contest more experienced and determined, with Nigeria eager to underline their evolution under head coach Bankole Olowookere.
The Flamingos arrived in Rabat brimming with confidence after an intense preparation phase that included several high-tempo friendly matches. The team impressed with double-digit victories, fluid attacking play, and relentless pressing — hallmarks of Olowookere’s high-energy, high-pressing football philosophy.
Their warm-up fixtures showcased resilience and tactical maturity, highlighted by a 3–2 victory over Paraguay following a narrow loss to New Zealand, results that have bolstered the squad’s belief ahead of their World Cup opener.
Sunday’s encounter is expected to be a tactical battle. The Canadians, known for their discipline, physicality, and defensive compactness, will provide a stern test of Nigeria’s attacking rhythm and composure under pressure.
Nigeria’s aspirations go beyond surviving the group stage. After a historic third-place finish in India in 2022 and a quarterfinal appearance at the last edition in the Dominican Republic, the Flamingos are determined to take another leap forward.
A strong start against Canada would not only boost confidence but also send a clear message of intent to the rest of Group D, which includes France and Samoa.
Kickoff in Salé promises to be the beginning of another exciting chapter in the Flamingos’ journey to cement their place among the world’s elite in women’s youth football.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
CAF Rule Change May Boost Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification Hopes
- World Cup5 days ago
Victor Osimhen qualifies South Africa for World Cup as Super Eagles go for Play-Off
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING! Lookman Suspended for Crucial Benin Clash
- World Cup1 week ago
Judgment Day Beckons in Group C: Only One Ticket, Three Contenders, Infinite Drama
- FIFA RANKING3 days ago
Nigeria Jumps Four Places in New FIFA Rankings; Stirs Optimism in Local Football Circles
- World Cup1 week ago
Super Eagles Stranded in Angola After Aircraft Suffers Cracked Windscreen
- World Cup1 week ago
Akor Adams Becomes Nigeria’s 61st Scoring Debutant
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
GTI Assets Champions Football Investment as Catalyst for National Development