Bold Sports Weekly | Edition 009

Hello,

A week ago, the Falconets had one point, no goals and one match left to save their World Cup. They have since scored 13 goals, beaten England 3-0 and reached the quarter-finals for the ninth time.

That turnaround is the centre of this edition, but it is not the only Nigerian sports story worth following. The Flamingos opened their WAFU B campaign with five goals, five Nigerian athletes earned a combined $130,000 at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship and the Green Hawks are preparing for Nigeria’s first major competitive netball tournament.

Not every campaign moved in the right direction. Rangers and El-Kanemi Warriors advanced in Africa, but Rivers United and Shooting Stars were eliminated after entering their return legs with realistic chances of progressing.

Sport rarely moves in a straight line. Teams lose, plans fail and tournaments begin badly. What often matters is the response.

The Falconets have produced theirs. Colombia will show us how far it can carry them.

Welcome to Edition 009.

Let’s get into it.

Nigeria looked close to elimination after losing 2-0 to Spain and drawing 0-0 with China in their opening two matches at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. The Falconets had one point, no goals and almost no room for another mistake.

A 10-1 victory over New Caledonia kept them in the tournament, but England provided the more important test. Tosin Rafiu scored after seven minutes, captain Christiana Uzoma saved a penalty and second-half goals from Janet Akekoromowei and Mary Mamudu completed a 3-0 victory.

The goals have returned, but Nigeria’s improvement has also been visible in the way the team has handled decisive moments. They started quickly against England, survived the pressure that followed and began the second half with the same aggression. Colombia will now test whether that recovery can become a genuine challenge for the title.

FIFA and CAF have completed their two-day governance assessment mission in Nigeria after meeting the NFF administration, electoral bodies, state associations, leagues, players, coaches, referees, clubs, sponsors and supporters.

The delegation has returned with its findings, which will be assessed before the next steps are determined. No verdict on the recent leadership changes or the proposed reform process has been announced.

Rangers defeated AS Sobemap on penalties to reach the next round of the CAF Champions League, where they will face MC Alger. El-Kanemi Warriors also progressed in the Confederation Cup despite losing their second leg.

Shooting Stars were eliminated by CS Sfaxien after surrendering a 1-0 first-leg advantage, while Rivers United went out to San Pedro on away goals following a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Nigeria opened the WAFU B U17 Girls Cup with a 5-0 victory over Niger in Ivory Coast.

The Flamingos now face Ghana on Saturday in what should be a stronger test ahead of next month’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.

Eric Chelle has named separate Super Eagles squads for the forthcoming AFCON qualifiers and the international friendly against Russia.

Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and other established players remain in the qualifying squad, while the experimental group selected for Russia contains 11 players who could make their senior international debuts.

Tobi Amusan ran 12.34s to finish second in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship.

World record-holder Masai Russell won in 12.22s, while Amusan received $75,000 for finishing second.

Kanyinsola Ajayi placed fourth in the men’s 100m final and earned $25,000.

His performance contributed to the $130,000 earned by Nigeria’s five individual entrants in Budapest.

Gift Orban scored three times for Amedspor to record his most prolific performance since joining the Turkish club.

The hat-trick strengthens his case for renewed international attention as competition for places in the Super Eagles attack continues.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored for a seventh consecutive league match as his outstanding start at Bursaspor continued.

The Super Eagles forward has now scored nine league goals, making him one of Nigeria’s most productive players in Europe this season.

Nigeria has opened discussions with World Athletics about hosting the 2030 World U-20 Championships. The ambition is significant, but a meeting in Budapest is only the beginning of the process.

A credible bid must identify the host city and competition venue, explain what facilities require improvement and provide firm plans for accommodation, transport, security, broadcast operations and financing. It must also show what hosting the championship would leave behind for Nigerian athletics.

The 2025 African U-18 and U-20 Championships in Abeokuta provided valuable experience. A global competition involving athletes and officials from more than 100 countries would demand considerably more. With the application deadline set for October 23, Nigeria now needs to turn its interest into a clear and convincing plan.

Applications are open for 14 full and partial Cruyff Athlete Fund scholarships covering online master’s and postgraduate programmes in sport management, sport marketing and sponsorship, and football business.

Applicants must be at least 21 and have a minimum of three years of professional sporting experience. The awards cover 30%, 50% or 100% of tuition, although some recipients will still be required to pay a €150 registration fee.

Applications close at 7:00 pm Spanish time on May 15, 2027.

Nigeria’s World Cup recovery faces its biggest test in the quarter-finals.

The Flamingos face a stronger examination after opening the WAFU B tournament with a five-goal victory.

Nigeria enter their first major competitive netball tournament with a place at the 2027 Netball World Cup at stake.

The Green Hawks will also face Zambia, Malawi and hosts Kenya in Pool B. Nigeria must finish among the top two African teams to qualify for the World Cup.

Doma United take their perfect start to Kano, while Ikorodu City and Barau meet after both making encouraging starts to the season.

Eric Chelle has named an experimental squad for Nigeria’s friendly against Russia, with 11 players in line to make their senior international debuts.

The match gives the Super Eagles coach an opportunity to assess new options away from the pressure of competitive qualification.

The NFF has resumed its CAF A-Licence coaching programme after a nine-year absence, with 25 top-flight coaches taking part.

Its return restores an important pathway for Nigerian coaches seeking the highest available continental qualification.

Taiwo Awoniyi has completed a postgraduate diploma through the Professional Footballers’ Association.

The qualification is part of the striker’s preparation for opportunities beyond his playing career.

Mustapha Isah has made an encouraging start to life in Belgian football after adapting quickly to his new environment.

The Nigerian forward has spoken about his footballing background, early performances and ambitions for the season.

Mubarak Suleiman has signed a new contract with Slavia Prague that will keep him at the club until 2031.

The long-term agreement reflects the progress of the Nigerian midfielder and the confidence Slavia have placed in his development.

The Green Hawks begin Nigeria’s first major competitive netball campaign on Sunday, but many Nigerians will not know the names of the players or even that the national team exists.

That is precisely why this moment matters. Emerging teams are often ignored until they qualify, win a medal or produce a performance dramatic enough to become a viral story. By then, much of their journey has already happened outside public view.

The Green Hawks may reach the 2027 World Cup. They may also discover how large the gap remains between a new national programme and Africa’s established teams. Either outcome deserves attention because coverage should not begin only after history has been made.

Sometimes the most important moment is when a team takes its first serious step towards it.

We will be back next Friday.

Oluwatosin Oluwalowo
Editor-in-Chief
Bold Sports

boldsportsng.com

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