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Nigeria Vs Chile: Five Talking Points From Clash

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Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s football team on Monday defeated Chile 2-1 in the third match of Group B at the Kalinga Stadium to book their place in the quarter-finals of the ongoing U-17 Women’s World Cup finals in India.

Stand-in captain Blessing Emmanuel scored an early goal for Flamingos in the fourth minute, following an assist from Opeyemi Ajakaiye to give Nigeria the lead.

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Bisola Mosaku added the second in the 82nd minute to guarantee Nigeria a place in the last eight despite Rovemer Tali converting a late penalty for Chile.

The win earned the Flamingoes a place in the quarter-finals, with a date against the United States on Friday.

PUNCH takes a look at some of the other talking points of the game.

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READ ALSO: U-17 WWC: Why We Lost To Germany — Flamingos Coach, Olowookere

Trademark salute

As was the case against Germany and New Zealand in their first two games, coach Bankole Olowookere and his girls carved a niche for themselves at the ongoing tournament in India with their trademark salute celebration.

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At every goal scored, the girls would rush to the technical crew’s corner to salute the coach and his assistants, to the delight of spectators at the two stadiums they played in. The celebration has become so loved and one of the commentators during the game said, “Aye, yes. Salute to the boss.”

Shooting at will

The 2-1 scoreline against the North Americans didn’t paint the true picture of the Flamingos shooting prowess, thanks to the heroics of the Red Ones goalkeeper, Catalina Alvarado, who made a series of saves to keep the scoreline minimal.

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The Flamingos had a total of 27 shots, with 13 of them on target, but managed to convert only two of them.

Fans treated to ‘Buga’

The Flamingos had local support on Monday, with Nigerians living in Bhubaneswar coming out to cheer the young ladies to victory against Chile.

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The crowd was treated to popular Nigerian track ‘Buga’ by Kizz Daniel, which was played for the Nigerian girls when they scored.

Unrelenting Olowookere

The game on Monday was important match for both teams, Nigeria needed at least a draw to advance to the quarter-finals, while Chile needed a win.

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READ MORE: Flamingos Trash DR Congo 5 Nill In Benin

But the Nigerians put up an impressive outing to claim all three points. Despite taking a two-goal lead into the last 10 minutes of the encounter, coach Bankole Olowookere was unrelenting and continued to dish out instructions and screamed from the touchline every minute to keep his girls focused.

Pidgin English, Yoruba take centre stage

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The Nigerian girls were very vocal all through the entire 90 minutes of the game, communicating in the languages best understood by them, with Pidgin English and Yoruba taking centre stage.

The North Americans were equally very loud on the pitch of play, making use of their official language, Spanish.
PUNCH

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13 Super Eagles Players Arrive Camp For World Cup Qualifiers

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The number of players in the Super Eagles’ camp has increased to 13, as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.

This follows the arrival of nine more players at the team’s camp in Ikot Ikpene on Tuesday, according to Promise Efoghe, the team’s media officer.

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The new arrivals include Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Moses Simon, Chidozie Awaziem, Adebayo Adeleye, and Benjamin Fredericks.

They joined the quartet of William Troost-Ekong, Amas Obasogie, Felix Agu, and Raphael Onyedika, who checked into camp on Monday.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Chelle Drops Osimhen, Lookman From Super Eagles Squad To Play Ghana, Russia [Full list]

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Efoghe confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria that out of the 23 players who were invited for the double-header fixtures, only 13 had arrived, with 10 more players still being expected.

A total of 13 players are currently in camp, and we are expecting the rest of the squad to arrive later today and early tomorrow,” Efoghe said.

He also shared details of the team’s upcoming media engagements.

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There will be a press conference with the coaching staff and selected players on Wednesday at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium,” Efoghe stated.

“For Friday, the pre-match press conference will holbe held the same venue, and the first 15 minutes of the team’s training session will be open to media coverage.”

READ ALSO:Ex-Super Eagles Coach, Monday Sinclair, Is Dead

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Players still beiexpected to be included arealkeeper Stanley Nwabali; defender Bruno Onyemaechi; midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka; and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers, Christantus Uche, and Tolu Arokodare.

Nigeria will host Rwanda on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, in a Matchday 7 fixture. They will then travel to Bloemfontein to face South Africa on Monday, in a Matchday 8 encounter.

The Super Eagles currently sit third in Group C of the African qualifiers with two points from two matches, behind leaders South Africa (four points) and Rwanda (also four points but with an inferior goal difference).

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Only the top team in the group will qualify automatically for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

READ ALSO:Super Eagles Defender Launches Under-13 Football Tournament In Edo

Full 23-Man Squad:

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Goalkeepers:

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa);

Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania);

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Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece).

Defenders:

William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia);

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Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England);

Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England);

Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England);

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Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece);

Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France);

Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany);

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Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium).

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Former Super Eagles Coach, Christian Chukwu, Is Dead

Midfielders:

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Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England);

Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England);

Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey);

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Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy);

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium);

Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain).

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Forwards:

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy);

Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy);

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Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey);

Moses Simon (Paris FC, France);

Cyriel Dessers (Rangers, Scotland);

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Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).

(NAN)

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JUST IN: Ofili Confirms Turkey Switch

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Nigeria sprinter, Favour Ofili, has confirmed she is switching allegiance to Turkey, bringing an end to her long-running fued with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, according to The PUNCH.

Reflecting on the move in a post via her Instagram page on Monday, Ofili said her decision followed months of reflection after a turbulent cycle in which she felt let down by the Nigerian federation.

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She explained that while she was proud of her career in Nigerian colours, repeated disappointments had left her with little choice.

Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Nigeria’s Favour Ofili Breaks 150-metre World Record

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As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey.

“I am proud to have represented Nigeria for many years in a highly successful way, having won six gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals in championship meets and reaching the Olympic 200 metres final,” she said.

Ofili added that neglect from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Olympic Committee, particularly during the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games, had contributed to her decision.

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She stressed, however, that her switch was not financially motivated.

While that means sitting out this year’s championships in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives.

READ ALSO:FG Panel Indicts AFN In Ofili’s Paris Olympics Omission

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“I’m truly grateful to have discovered a new home in Turkey, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.

“I also appreciate the support I got from my coach, agent, sponsor and loved ones during this difficult time,” she said.

Her announcement comes after the president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Tonobok Okowa, admitted the federation was struggling to prevent the exodus of elite athletes due to poor funding.

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He confirmed Ofili’s switch during the National Athletics Championships in Lagos, warning that more athletes could follow suit unless urgent financial support arrived.

READ ALSO:FG Panel Indicts AFN In Ofili’s Paris Olympics Omission

Okowa said countries like Turkey had stepped up efforts to recruit foreign talent, offering substantial incentives.

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The kind of money they put on the table to get her is not something many athletes would refuse.

“That is why we are pleading with Nigeria as a nation and our government to come out and support us, so we don’t keep losing our athletes,” he said.

Ofili’s decision mirrors previous high-profile departures, including Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie and Femi Ogunode, who also left Nigeria to represent other nations.

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Ofili will sit out the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo as she completes the switch, before beginning the next phase of her career in Turkish colours.

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Liverpool Vs Arsenal: Gunners Seek 1st EPL Win At Anfield Since 2012

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Arsenal head to Anfield this Sunday—seeking a first Premier League win there since 2012—a victory will bolster their title pursuit.

Currently unbeaten in two league matches, Arsenal boast of the division’s best defensive record; Liverpool, the defending champions, have conceded goals early this season.

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Liverpool, unbeaten at home in August since 2015, have scored in 36 successive league matches—a potential new record.

Arsenal’s injury list is mounting– Saka, Havertz, Odegaard and Jesus are either out or doubtful.

READ ALSO:Liverpool Confirm Nunez’s £46.2M Move To Al-Hilal

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New 68 million pound signing, Eberechi Eze, may debut.

Mikel Arteta praised Eze’s “special aura” at training; he is expected to spark creativity amid absentee worries.

Liverpool offer positive fitness news; Mac Allister is training again; no new concerns reported by manager Arne Slot.

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Arteta says the fixture is “defining” for perception as much as league position; he urges belief through adversity.

READ ALSO:Why I’ll Never Advise My Son To Visit Nigeria – Taribo West

Slot admits Arsenal pose a serious threat—particularly from set-pieces—but insists his side is fully prepared.

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The Anfield record speaks volumes: League meetings have ended in draws lately.

Arsenal are winless there in 12 league trips—and have not won since 2012.

Head-to-head balance remains tight; in 244 meetings, Liverpool lead 95–83 in wins; 66 ended level.

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READ ALSO:Liverpool ‘Devastated’ By Diogo Jota’s Death

Recent league matches at Anfield have mostly ended in stalemates, including a 2‑2 draw in May 2025 when Arsenal came from two down.

A draw may be respectable; a loss, predictable under circumstances; a win, however, will irreversibly shift the narrative in Arsenal’s favour.

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As the players emerge onto that famed Anfield turf, this fixture transcends tactics; it will come down to mindset, belief—and perhaps a debut that sparks hope.

Game day may well redefine Arsenal’s season.

(NAN)

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