WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
South Africa revenge over Ghana as Mamelodi Sundowns become the first ever Women Champions League champions!
Mamelodi Sundowns beat Hasaacas Ladies 2-0 to win the title of the first edition of CAF Women’s Champions League, and adds to the men’s team achievement of wining CAF Men’s Champions League in 2016.
Last weekend, Ghana upstaged South Africa in picking a World Cup playoff ticket. The ladies appear to have avenged for the men.
Morifi started the scoring with an assist from Mgcoyi at the 33rd minute, then Mgcoyi herself added another goal at the 65th minute to end it 2-0 for her team, despite her teammate Regina Mogolola receiving a red card at the 92nd minute with VAR review, just 2 minutes after being subbed into the game.
“It’s unfortunate that we did not win. We came in with the intention of wining, but it was almost impossible. We will be ready to win the next edition of WCL”.
“My centre backs had to cover more for the half backs. I never taught my players to set offside traps, so the second goal did not happen because of that”.
“The next edition will surely be tougher, we came here and saw it all. Everyone will go back and get stronger for the next time”.
“It’s historic for us to be in the final, because others came and go, but we stayed”.
“I was afraid we were not clinical enough, but today we were marvelous. I’m very happy of my girls”.
“I spoke to Mgcoyi and told her that she needs to bring it to the party, and that’s what she did. I’m proud of her and the whole team”.
“I saw how Hasaacas Ladies played before. I needed to press them with three strikers. Lucky enough, they are not taller than us. We had confidence playing our football, and we frustrated Hassacas Ladies even though they played good football”.
“We came to this tournament and saw the level of competition, I assure you next time, it will be even tougher”.
“We are the first team the WCL and we did it without conceding a goal”.
“When we won COSAFA and qualified to the WCL, I wanted to be in the wining team”.
“I thank god for all of this. I was so stressed today when I woke up, because I was worried I couldn’t help my team from the beginning of the tournament. Also my coach needed me to help the team, this means so much yo us. We wrote our history. They will not remember Mgcoyi, they will remember Mamelodi Sundowns”.
“To be the first team that wins WCL is huge. Women’s football is growing in Africa, and it’s a good thing for us to be role models for young girls”.
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)
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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.
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Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, wrapped up their pre-World Cup preparations in impressive fashion on Tuesday evening, defeating Paraguay 3–2 in a thrilling encounter at the Mohamed V Sports Complex in Casablanca.
The five-goal contest capped a productive build-up campaign for Coach Bankole Olowookere’s side, who have now played 12 friendly matches, scoring 50 goals and conceding just six ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The young Nigerians got off to a flying start, taking the lead within two minutes. Goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface delivered a pinpoint long ball to captain Shakirat Moshood, who laid it off neatly for forward Mariam Yahaya. Yahaya showed composure beyond her years, delicately chipping over the advancing Paraguayan goalkeeper to make it 1–0.
Eight minutes later, Moshood nearly doubled the lead but saw her effort sail narrowly over the crossbar. Paraguay then capitalised on a rare defensive lapse in the 15th minute, as Christiana Sunday’s misplaced clearance allowed the South Americans to level the score.
The equaliser injected fresh energy into the Paraguayan side, forcing Boniface into two crucial saves. But Nigeria soon regained control, and just before halftime, Yahaya struck twice in quick succession — first pouncing on a defensive mix-up in the 44th minute, then completing her hat-trick a minute later after a fine assist from Kaosarat Olanrewaju.
The Flamingos continued to dominate after the break, with Ayomide Abubakar and Moshood both testing the opposition defence. Substitute goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu also made her mark with a key save in the 69th minute to maintain Nigeria’s two-goal cushion. Paraguay managed to pull one back late on, but the Flamingos held firm to claim a well-deserved 3–2 victory.
With their training camp in Casablanca now concluded, the Nigerian team will move to Rabat on Wednesday morning to check into their official FIFA accommodation ahead of the tournament kickoff on October 17.
Drawn in Group D, the Flamingos will open their World Cup campaign against Canada on Sunday, October 19, face France on October 22, and round off the group phase against Samoa on October 25.
Coach Olowookere expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress, describing the win as “a positive end to a rewarding preparation phase.”
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