Category: Football

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been crowned the 2025 CAF Women’s National Team of the Year, capping a spectacular season defined by dominance, resilience, and a historic continental triumph.

The award was presented on Wednesday, November 19, at the CAF Awards ceremony held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat, Morocco.

The recognition follows a sensational year in which the Super Falcons claimed their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy, extending their record as Africa’s most successful women’s national team.

Under head coach Justin Madugu, the Falcons delivered a near-perfect outing, storming through the group stage with emphatic victories over Tunisia, Botswana and Algeria, without conceding a goal.

Nigeria maintained their blistering form in the knockout phase. They thrashed Zambia 5–0 in the quarterfinals before edging defending champions South Africa 2–1 in a tense semifinal clash.

The final against hosts Morocco delivered one of the most dramatic matches in WAFCON history.

After going 2–0 down within the opening 24 minutes, the Super Falcons staged an extraordinary second-half revival, scoring three goals in 24 minutes to seal a remarkable comeback victory and lift the trophy once again.

The team’s impressive run also translated into individual accolades.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade earned a nomination for CAF Women’s Player of the Year, while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was shortlisted for CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year following her commanding performances throughout the tournament.

With yet another record-setting achievement, the Super Falcons have reinforced Nigeria’s position as a powerhouse in African women’s football.

The Super Eagles refused to train in Rabat on Monday as a dispute over bonus payments with the Nigeria Football Federation threatens their preparations ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-off semi-final against Gabon.

The NFF President was in Morocco and discussions between the players, technical staff, and officials were held. The disagreement was not over the players’ daily allowances, which the NFF had promised to pay, but the amount of the winning bonus for the play-off ties.

According to sources, the players requested $15,000 for each match, totalling $30,000, but the NFF offered $10,000 per match. They insisted that until a resolution was reached, training would remain suspended, and a boycott of the Gabon tie was a possibility.

The source explained to The PUNCH the history of the bonus dispute, noting that players previously received $5,000 per match and when Amaju Pinnick assumed office, he doubled the amount to $10,000. Even so, some officials argued for a reduction back to $5,000, creating controversy.

“Eventually, the amount was kept at $10,000 per player per match. Now all the players are requesting $15,000 per match. They argue that other countries, such as Cameroon, DR Congo, and Gabon, have increased their own winning bonuses, so they want Nigeria to follow suit. That is where we are currently,” the source said.

Reflecting the seriousness of the dispute, the players and technical staff released a statement reportedly signed by the squad, emphasising their refusal to train until the bonus issue is resolved.

“The full squad, including officials, withheld from training today in Morocco because of the unresolved issues with outstanding payments. The Super Eagles is awaiting a quick resolution to continue the preparation for Thursday’s game with Gabon. Thank you. From the players,” the statement read.

Reports from Morocco also said the team’s official distanced themselves from the standoff.

NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, were yet to respond to The PUNCH’s inquiry into the matter, as of the time of filing this report.

Except Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, 23 players were already in camp when the bonus row escalated.

The PUNCH also reached out to the Nigeria Football Federation Communications Director Ademola Olajire and Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe for comment. The latter acknowledged receipt of the message but had not responded at the time of filing this report.

The Super Eagles held their first training session on Monday in Rabat with 14 players, as head coach Eric Chelle intensified preparations. Sevilla duo Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke did not participate, while the arrival of African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman in the afternoon added more attacking options to the group.

The camp officially opened on Sunday at the Rive Hotel in Rabat, with technical staff already present to receive the early arrivals.

Nigeria is scheduled to face Gabon on Thursday at the 22,000-capacity Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo will contest the other semi-final at El-Barid Stadium, with the winners meeting in the final on November 16 to determine who advances to the inter-confederation play-offs for a spot at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Super Falcons striker Ifeoma Onumonu has officially hung up her boots, bringing an end to a career that spanned more than two decades.

Ifeoma Onumonu, 31, announced her retirement on Saturday through an emotional Instagram post that reflected on her journey from a young girl in California to a decorated international footballer.

“It is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to my playing career on the pitch,” Onumonu wrote, confirming the decision that marks the close of an era for the forward.

Born in California to a Nigerian father, Onumonu fell in love with football at the age of eight while playing for a youth team called Magic. “All I wanted to do was run as fast as I could and score. I didn’t much care about winning or losing; I just loved playing,” she recalled.

That passion took her to the top levels of the women’s game. After starring at the University of California, Berkeley, she played for several clubs in the National Women’s Soccer League, including Boston Breakers, Portland Thorns, Reign FC, Utah Royals, and Gotham FC, before a stint with Montpellier in France.

Initially capped by the United States at the youth level, Onumonu switched allegiance to Nigeria in 2021. She went on to represent the Super Falcons at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria secured a record 10th continental crown.

Reflecting on her career highlights, she said: “I had the profound pleasure of lifting an NWSL championship trophy, representing Nigeria at the Olympics and a World Cup, and helping to lift the African Cup of Nations trophy with the Super Falcons for a historic 10th time.”

Though she had limited minutes at WAFCON 2025, featuring for just 54 minutes against Algeria, her experience made her an invaluable member of the squad alongside veterans Tochukwu Oluehi, Osinachi Ohale, and Francisca Ordega.

Onumonu stressed that retirement from playing does not mean stepping away from the sport. “This is not a goodbye to football, but a new beginning. I am excited to explore opportunities off the pitch, using the skills and lessons learned from my time on it,” she added.

English Premier League has once again flexed its financial muscle, with clubs spending an unprecedented £3.087 billion during the 2025 summer transfer window, the highest in football history.

What had already been a huge summer of deals exploded on deadline day, headlined by Alexander Isak’s record-breaking £125 million switch from Newcastle United to Liverpool. That move alone tipped the Premier League’s total transfer spending past the £3 billion mark, eclipsing last year’s figure of £1.96 billion and dwarfing the combined spending of Europe’s other top leagues.

Deadline Day Drama in the Premier League
Though quiet for much of the day, the transfer window burst into life after the 19:00 BST deadline as deal sheets trickled in. Isak’s move was confirmed at 21:30 BST, while Crystal Palace dug their heels in over Marc Guehi, refusing to sell their captain without a replacement lined up.

Following Isak’s exit, Newcastle quickly unveiled Yoane Wissa from Brentford for £55m, while Fulham set a new club record, signing Brazilian winger Kevin from Shakhtar Donetsk for £34.6m.

Elsewhere, Manchester United added Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens (£18.1m) and loaned out Jadon Sancho to Aston Villa, who also snapped up Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott on loan with a buy option. Tottenham secured PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani on a season-long loan, while Arsenal bolstered their defence with Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen.

Ambitious newcomers Sunderland capped a frantic summer with a triple swoop, Ajax forwards Brian Brobbey and Bertrand Traore, plus RB Leipzig defender Lutsharel Geertruida.

Also, Fulham secured the services of Nigerian 26-year-old winger, Samuel Chukwueze on loan from AC with an option to buy for about €25 million. Another Nigerian star, Christantus Uche, completed his long-term move to Crystal Palace on deadline day.

Also, Super Eagles forward, Tolu Arokodare secured his move to Wolves from Genk on deadline day. The Premier League side paid £24 million to secure the move.

Liverpool Lead the Spending Surge
Liverpool’s £415m spree, fuelled by blockbuster signings like Florian Wirtz (£116m) and Hugo Ekitike (£79m), shattered Chelsea’s previous single-window record of £400m (2023). In contrast, Chelsea balanced their books, offsetting £285m of purchases with £288m of sales, making a rare £3m net profit.

Arsenal spent heavily too, with £255m outlaid on reinforcements including Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi, but managed just £9m in sales, leaving them with a hefty £246m net spend.

At the other end, Bournemouth (£87m profit) and Brentford (£49m profit) were among the smartest operators, cashing in on player sales.

The scale of Premier League spending has left Europe’s elite competitions trailing far behind. Clubs in the Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A collectively spent less than their English counterparts, and in fact, generated a net profit of more than £400m largely thanks to selling stars to Premier League sides.

The Super Falcons have rejected attempts by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay President Bola Tinubu’s $100,000 gift to the team in Naira, insisting instead on receiving the funds in dollars.

Sports analyst Aron Akerejola, speaking on Arise TV, revealed that the controversy over the delayed bonuses was not due to negligence by the NFF but arose after the players refused payment in local currency.

“The part of the story they are not telling is that these girls were given the money,” Aron explained. “The NFF proposed paying their allowances in Naira at the rate of ₦1,530 to a dollar. The players refused, saying, ‘We don’t live in Nigeria. What will we do with Naira?’”

He added that the NFF subsequently sent the funds to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for conversion into dollars, a process that caused further delay. “It’s not the fault of the NFF. The government released the money, but the players rejected Naira. That’s why it dragged on,” he said.

Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade had earlier confirmed that the squad had not received Tinubu’s $100,000 reward. “We have not received our money, but hopefully, it will be paid,” she said in an interview.

President Tinubu announced the reward, along with national honours and houses for the team, after their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations victory in Morocco.

Esther Okoronkwo has been voted the Super Falcons’ Fans’ Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The announcement, made Tuesday via the team’s official 𝕏 handle, was a resounding endorsement of Esther Okoronkwo’s defining role in Nigeria’s title-winning run in Morocco.

“Presenting your #WAFCON2024 Fans’ Player of the Tournament… Esther Okoronkwo, OON. Clutch. Composed. Crowned by the people,” the Super Falcons official 𝕏 page announced.

The 28-year-old forward’s standout performance came in the high-stakes knockout rounds. Against Zambia in the quarter-finals, she lit up the scoreboard with a goal and two assists in Nigeria’s 5-0 demolition job. But it was the final that sealed his legacy in WAFCON history.

Trailing hosts Morocco in Rabat, Esther Okoronkwo stepped up in the 60th minute to convert a pressure-soaked penalty with ice-cold composure.

Okoronkwo followed that with a clever assist to Folashade Ijamilusi ten minutes later, drawing Nigeria level again at 2-2. Then, in the dying minutes of the game, she delivered a sublime free-kick that found Jennifer Echegini, who headed home the match-winner in the 88th minute.

Her heroics earned her the Player of the Match in the final and sealed her place as a fan favourite.

Esther Okoronkwo

Unsurprisingly, Okoronkwo emerged as the top pick in a social media poll launched Monday, edging out a shortlist of five teammates, including Echegini, Ashleigh Plumptre, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Ijamilusi.

While all six played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s unbeaten campaign under coach Justine Madugu, it was Okoronkwo’s decisive touch in key moments that ultimately won the hearts of fans.

Her accolades didn’t stop there. Okoronkwo was also named in the CAF Team of the Tournament, alongside three other Nigerian stars: goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, right-back Michelle Alozie, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade who herself won the official Best Player of the Tournament award.

Six Super Eagles players have donated a total of ₦24 million to the Super Falcons squad in recognition of their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Next Edition reports that Nigeria’s victory in Morocco marked a record-extending 10th WAFCON title for the Super Falcons.

According to a statement issued by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, captain William Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun, and Joe Ayodele-Aribo, contributed the amount to all 24 members of the Super Falcons to celebrate them for winning the 10th WAFCON title.

The NFF confirmed the gesture, describing it as a show of solidarity and appreciation for the Falcons’ achievement.

The donation comes in addition to several other rewards already announced for the players following their 3-2 win over Morocco in Saturday’s final in Rabat.

At a reception in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu awarded each player a national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), a three-bedroom apartment in the Renewed Hope Estate, and a cash gift of $100,000.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum also gave ₦10 million to each player and the 11 members of the technical and administrative crew.

NFF President Ibrahim Gusau described the various gestures as “unprecedented and transformative,” adding that the recognition given to the Super Falcons would inspire young girls across Nigeria.

“Mr President has done what no leader before him had done. This action will serve as a fillip to draw out the girl-child in our country to seek greatness through legitimate ways,” Gusau said.

“With this pronouncement, the girl-child will now see that they can achieve greatness by doing sport and indeed any other noble profession or vocation.”

Nigerian football was thrown into mourning again on Thursday following the death of former Super Eagles goalkeeper and 1994 AFCON winner Peter Rufai, who passed on at the age of 61.

Rufai was said to have died in Lagos in the early hours of Thursday following a brief illness.

Former Nigerian midfielder Waidi Akanni confirmed that the body of Rufai had been deposited at a Lagos hospital.

The NFF described him as “a giant of Nigerian football” and one of the country’s most iconic players.

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“Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana,” the NFF wrote on X.

“We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai. Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond. Rest well.”

Ex-Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami told our correspondent he was aware the goalkeeper had been battling illness but is presently shocked about his death.

“I know he’s been ill and that he was in the hospital for a while,” he said.

“Now, I am at a loss and need to find out what has happened now.”

Former Eagles No.10, Etim Esin who was his teammate in the 90s, was deeply devastated by the news.

“Oh oh God! Dodo Manyana is dead. This is a great loss. We played together; I can’t imagine he’s gone, this is so sad.

“My condolence to his family and may his soul rest in peace.”

Another former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba also expressed sadness at the death of Rufai.

“It’s really sad because he was someone I looked up to as a goalkeeper. It is a great honour to have been called an ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper alongside someone like that. May God bless his soul,” Aiyenugba told our correspondent.

Super Eagles skipper and Kano Pillars forward, Ahmed Musa also paid tribute to the goalkeeper.

“I can’t believe I’m typing this – a post to bid farewell to a true giant of Nigerian football, Peter Rufai. Your heroic reflexes and unwavering presence between the posts brought us moments of pride on the world stage.

“May your spirit continue to inspire future generations of Super Eagles. Though you’ve left us, your legacy soars higher than any trophy. Fly high, DODO MAYANA — the nation mourns a hero.”

Nigeria Premier Football League champions, Remo Stars also sent condolences to the ex-Eagles goalkeeper’s family.

“Everyone at Remo Stars is deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Nigerian goalkeeping legend, Peter Rufai.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Nigerian football community during this difficult time.”

Former Nigeria Vice President, Atiku Abubakar also said, “It is with deep sorrow that I mourn the passing of our legendary national team goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, popularly known as Dodo Mayana.

“His death is a profound loss to the global football community. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family and the Nigerian football community. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Peter Rufai’s remarkable contributions to the beautiful game will always be remembered, and he will be sorely missed.”

Born on August 24, 1963, Rufai made his debut for the then Green Eagles in a friendly match in December 1981, and won the Africa Cup of Nations silver in 1984 and 1988, before Nigeria swept to glory in the continental finals in Tunisia in 1994. He was the first-choice goalkeeper in the three championships.

The goalkeeper also kept for Nigeria in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals (the Super Eagles made the round of 16 on both occasions) and dedicated his post-retirement days to discovering and mentoring young players. He also served as the coordinator of the Nigeria U-23 team at a time.

Apart from his memorable outings with the Super Eagles, Rufai was an extraordinary figure at Lagos club, Stationery Stores, with whom he reached the final of the Africa Cup Winners Cup competition in 1981.

He also played professionally for Lokeren and Beveren in Belgium, as well as Go Ahead Eagles in The Netherlands before stints with Deportivo La Coruna and Hercules in Spain as well as Farense and Gil Vicente in Portugal.

Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman, has been named the CAF Footballer of the Year for the past year.

Lookman was announced as the winner at an elaborate event in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night.

The Atalanta star won the prize ahead of Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

It has been an incredible year for Lookman, who became the first player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League/UEFA Cup final since 1975, netting the three goals within 26 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman was included in the Team of the Year for the Europa League, and ended the season having had a direct hand in 18 top flight goals for La Dea.

The 27-year-old was ranked the 14th best player during the Ballon d’Or gala on October 28.

The English Premier League has officially announced the 2025/26 season schedule.
In a statement released during the weekend, the league noted that the forthcoming season will commence on Saturday, August 16, 2025, with the concluding matchday planned for Sunday, May 24, 2026, promising an exciting journey throughout the season.

To enhance player welfare, the league has implemented notable adjustments to the schedule during the festive period.

The announcement, sourced from the EPL website and titled “Dates for 2025/26 Premier League season confirmed,” highlights a renewed focus on player welfare, especially during the busy holiday season.

For the first time, there will be a minimum gap of 60 hours between match rounds, addressing previous concerns regarding the crowded holiday fixture schedule.

Additionally, no matches will be scheduled on Christmas Eve in 2025, a decision expected to be positively received by both players and fans.

The release read, “The schedule continues to allow more rest time for players over the festive match-round period, with no two rounds taking place within 60 hours of each other.

“This is in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address the congested Christmas and New Year schedule.”

Key Highlights:

The season spans 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds, providing an evenly distributed calendar.
The 16 August start date guarantees 83 days of rest for players following the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign.
The May 24 end date ensures the league concludes ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup call-up period, offering players ample preparation time for the global tournament.
This strategic scheduling, according to the statement, underscores the Premier League’s commitment to maintaining a competitive edge while protecting the well-being of its players.
Fans can now mark their calendars as the countdown to another unmissable season begins!
Naija News understands that the 2025/26 season will consist of 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds.

“The start date of August 16 allows for the maximum player rest time available—83 clear days—from the end of the 2024/25 season.

“The season end date of May 24 2026, ensures the Premier League season finishes ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup call-up period.

“There will be no fixture on December 24, 2025,” the statement concluded.