Sports

AFCON U-20: Nigeria Beat Hosts Egypt 4-1 In Shootout To Win Bronze

Published

6 months ago

May 18, 2025

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria secured third place at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 with a dramatic 4-1 victory in a penalty shootout against tournament hosts, Egypt, on Sunday.

The third-place clash, held at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, ended 1-1 after regulation time.

With no extra time in the playoff fixture, the match was decided on penalties, where the Flying Eagles showed composure to claim their fifth bronze medal in U-20 AFCON history.

Both teams were eager to finish the tournament on a high note after falling short of a place in the final.

Egypt got off to a blistering start, taking the lead just three minutes in when Osama Omar pounced on a cut-back from Mahmoud Labib to fire home from close range.

Despite the early setback, Nigeria found their rhythm and began dominating possession.

They created several opportunities, with Clinton Jephta and Precious Benjamin forcing saves from Egyptian goalkeeper Abdel Monem Tamer, while Israel Ayuma’s long-range efforts narrowly missed the target.

Nigeria’s persistence paid off shortly after the break.

A well-weighted through ball from Divine Oliseh sliced open Egypt’s defence and found Bidemi Amole, who calmly slotted in the equaliser in the 47th minute.

The Flying Eagles continued to press for a winner, injecting fresh energy with the introduction of Tahir Maigana and Kparobo Arierhi.

Egypt, however, nearly snatched victory in added time, with Mohamed El Sayed rattling the crossbar and Mohamed Haitham striking the post in a tense finale.

With the scoreline unchanged after 90 minutes, the match headed straight to penalties.

Nigeria were flawless from the spot, converting all four of their kicks through Emmanuel Chukwu, Ayuma, Arierhi, and Maigana.

Egypt faltered under pressure, with Mohamed Atef and Ahmed Kabaka both denied by Nigeria’s 15-year-old goalkeeper, Ebenezer Harcourt, who delivered a heroic performance beyond his years.

The victory not only secured Nigeria’s 14th podium finish in U-20 AFCON history but also extended their strong record against host nations in the tournament, having beaten Egypt on home soil for the second consecutive edition.

Sports

Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup Dream Ends In Penalty Shoot-out Loss To DR Congo

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

Nigeria will not be at the 2026 World Cup after they lost the CAF playoff final to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday night.

The Super Eagles took an early lead in the first half after Frank Onyeka’s shot was deflected in.

But the Leopards were level after Mechak Elia pounced on a defensive error to finish past Stanley Nwabali.

The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes and was decided on penalties.

Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi all missed their kicks as DR Congo clinched the ticket to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoffs.

They will now play in a six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be staged from March 23 to 31 in 2026 to decide the final two sides for next year’s World Cup.

Sports

NPFL26: Bendel Insurance Beat Kano Pillars 3-2

Published

1 day ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

Bendel Insurance jinx of inconsistent and goal drought in the current Nigeria Premier Football League season were on Saturday evening broken at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin as they defeated Kano Pillars 3-2 to move a step out of the deep.
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‎The Benin Arsenals returned to winning ways with a remarkable 3-2 comeback
‎victory over the sai Masu Gida side with goals from Kayode Oke, Emmanuel Dung and Akpan Emmanuel who handed
‎ Kennedy Boboye his first maximum points since joining Insurance over a month ago.
‎.
‎Kayode Oke opened scoring for Insurance in the 17th minute, but veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali got an equalizer for the visitors from the penalty spot in the 34th minute.

READ ALSO:Bendel Insurance Head Coach Suspended
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‎Four minutes later, Chiedozie Okorie gave Pillars the lead in the halftime of the match day 13 encounter under the rain.
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‎Insurance returned for the second half with double substitution and mounted much pressure on the visitors and got rewarded for their efforts with a spirited comeback when Emmanuel Dung powered an equalising goal for Insurance in the 77th minute with a rocket strike from the edge of the box to send the already agitated home fans into wild jubilation.
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‎As time drifted away from the regulation mark, Emmanuel Akpan sealed the victory with a stoppage-time strike in the 88 minutes.

‎It was Insurance second victory and first for coach Kennedy Boboye in the current football season.

The Benin Arsenals now move up to 17th on the table with 12 points.

READ ALSO:Enabulele Congratulates Bendel Insurance For Pre-Season Tournament Performance
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‎Speaking during a post match media conference, coach Kennedy Boboye said that he was relieved to have his first maximum points as Vendel Insurance Manager after five matches -one loss, one win and three draws so far.
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‎He said that he remains focused and determined to get out of the red zone.

‎”I am relieved and happy we got the victory we have been looking for and I must give it to my players,fans and the supporters club who are always there for us irrespective of the results we posted.
‎I dedicate the victory to them,” he said.
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Sports

Arsenal’s Gabriel Injured In Senegal Friendly

Published

1 day ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

Arsenal’s defensive rock, Gabriel Magalhães, limped off during Brazil’s 2-0 friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

This injury is going to be a major headache for Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, who still has many players out injured.

The 27-year-old Brazilian center-back was forced to depart in the 64th minute, clutching his right thigh and groin area following a seemingly innocuous challenge. He was replaced by Flamengo’s Wesley.

This comes at the worst possible time for the Premier League leaders, who face Tottenham in the North London Derby on November 23, barely a week away, followed by Champions League and league tests against Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti later confirmed it was a muscular issue but offered no timeline, stating: “We’ll have to wait and see on the extent—it’s too early to say.”