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Unity Cup 2026: Femi Azeez, Arthur Okonkwo Trend After Super Eagles’ 2-0 Victory Over Zimbabwe

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Echoes of excitement are rolling through the Super Eagles’ camp in London, England following their 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe on Tuesday at the 2026 Unity Cup, with major talking points rolling for Femi Azeez and Arthur Okonkwo.

Sports247 reports that both youngsters feature for clubs in the Championship, England’s second-tier league, where Azeez, the scorer of Nigeria’s two goals on Tuesday, plays for Millwall, while Okonkwo features for Wales-based Wrexham.

Read Also: Samuel Ogazi Gains More Accolades, Huge Expectations Ahead Of 2026 Commonwealth Games

Both clubs had remarkable league games at the venue of Tuesday’s game, which happens to be the home ground of Charlton Athletic, who produced 2024 African Footballer of The Year, Ademola Lookman.

While Lookman and other top stars of the Eagles were not invited to feature at this year’s Unity Cup, rookie stars like Azeez and Okonkwo’s not only got chances for their national team debuts, they also used the opportunity to pick solid personal landmarks in green-and-white.

Azeez not only joined the rank of Nigerian players who scored on their debut for the Eagles, he became the first to make it with a brace, the first of which came as early as the fifth minute of play at The Valley.

A report by the communications department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) noted in part, “Coach Eric Chelle sent out a barely-recognizable squad in the first game in his defence of the trophy he won with the three-time African champions a year ago.

“Azeez, who plays for Millwall FC in the English Championship, swiftly put Nigeria in the lead after only five minutes, when he finished off a great team move with a left-footed rocket that goalkeeper Future Sibanda could not stop.

“Azeez and USA-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf came pretty close, Turkey-based centre-back Chibuike Nwaiwu combined with Czech Republic-based Igoh Ogbu and home-boys Oputa and Igboke to make the Nigeria defence impregnable.

“In the second half, Azeez netted his and Nigeria’s second of the night after beating Sibanda in the box following another swift team move, with Otele finding Terem Moffi who then located the Millwall man in the vital area.

“In the 71st minute, Okonkwo had to stretch full length to deny the Warriors. As Nigeria firmly kept control, Chelle gave opportunities to Tosin Oyedokun, Owen Oseni, Rafiu Durosinmi and Aderemi Adeoye to also earn their first caps.”

However, the biggest revelation of the night had to be Azeez, who was born in Westminster, England to a Nigerian father and Spanish mother, then grew up in Northwood with his younger brother, Miguel, who is also a professional footballer.

Born on June 5th, 2001, the attacker, whose full name is Oluwafemi Javier Azeez Beloso, appeared to have a career setback when he was released from the academy of Watford at 14, but he soon began his senior career with non-league side, Northwood.

After making 12 appearances during his debut season, he signed for fellow non-league club, Wealdstone in 2018, following which he moved on loan to Hanwell Town in 2018, then joined Reading in 2019 and was later loaned to Bracknell Town.

The 24-year-old attacker, who got his debut for Reading in 2021 and twinkled in the 2023/24 season, before signing for Millwall in 2024, will now aim to keep his Super Eagles’ surge going with another strong show in the Unity Cup final of Saturday.

The post Unity Cup 2026: Femi Azeez, Arthur Okonkwo Trend After Super Eagles’ 2-0 Victory Over Zimbabwe first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Unity Cup 2026: Femi Azeez, Arthur Okonkwo Trend After Super Eagles’ 2-0 Victory Over Zimbabwe appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

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WAFU – B U-17: Adegbuyi, Oparanmegwa Fire Flamingos Past Côte d’Ivoire

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Nigeria’s Flamingos maintained their perfect run at the 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup with a commanding 2–0 victory over hosts Côte d’Ivoire in Yamoussoukro on Thursday.

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi gave Nigeria the perfect start when she struck in the fourth minute, putting the Flamingos in front at the Lycée Scientifique.

The early goal allowed Nigeria to settle into the contest as the Flamingos protected their advantage through the remainder of the first half.

Côte d’Ivoire pushed for a response after the restart, but Nigeria remained disciplined and continued to threaten on the counter.

The Flamingos eventually doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute, with Pattra Oparanmegwa finding the back of the net to put Nigeria firmly in control.

The victory extends Nigeria’s perfect record in the competition, with the Flamingos now having won all four of their matches.

Nigeria had earlier opened their campaign with a 5–0 victory over Niger Republic before defeating Ghana 4–2 and overcoming Burkina Faso 2–0.

Against Burkina Faso, Mary Dunstan broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute before Adegbuyi struck in stoppage time to seal the win.

The victory over Côte d’Ivoire therefore represents another impressive display from the Flamingos, who have continued to combine attacking quality with defensive discipline throughout the tournament.

The hosts entered Thursday’s encounter as Nigeria’s closest challengers in the standings, having collected six points from their opening three matches. Côte d’Ivoire had also demonstrated their attacking threat with a 9–0 victory over Niger Republic before facing the Flamingos.

Nigeria, however, maintained their superiority in the decisive encounter, with Adegbuyi’s early strike and Oparanmegwa’s second-half finish securing another three points.

The result takes the Flamingos to 12 points from four matches, strengthening their position at the top of the WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup standings.

Nigeria will now turn their attention to their final fixture of the competition against Guinea, as coach Hakeem Busari’s side look to complete the tournament with another victory.

The WAFU-B competition is also serving as valuable preparation for Nigeria ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, where the Flamingos will compete against North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland in Group B.

The post WAFU – B U-17: Adegbuyi, Oparanmegwa Fire Flamingos Past Côte d’Ivoire appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

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EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 5: Sporting Lagos Shock Enyimba as Rangers, Barau FC Pick Up Vital Wins

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The EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) delivered another action-packed round of fixtures on Matchday 5, with Sporting Lagos producing one of the biggest results of the round while Rangers International, Barau FC and Shooting Stars all secured important victories.

READ ALSO: EuroMatch NPFL: Enyimba Stunned Again! Sporting Lagos Complete 3-2 Comeback in Aba

Sports247 reports that in Aba, Sporting Lagos stunned nine-time champions Enyimba FC 3-2, completing a remarkable comeback after the home side took the lead through Stanley Dimgba in the 44th minute. Tobi Iyanda extended Enyimba’s advantage in the 55th minute, but Sporting Lagos responded emphatically.

The visitors levelled in the 51st minute before Haruna Hadi put Sporting Lagos ahead in the 65th minute. Daniel Aboh added another four minutes later to complete the turnaround and condemn Enyimba to another defeat.

Rangers International continued their strong campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over newly promoted Ranchers Bees. Iwundu scored in the 53rd minute to hand the defending champions another valuable three points.

At home, Barau FC defeated Abia Warriors 2-0. Joseph Atule opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before Ibrahim Ayoola doubled the advantage in the 61st minute.

Bendel Insurance also secured a home victory, edging Ikorodu City 2-1. Chinedu Nwosu converted from the penalty spot in the 49th minute, while Alex Oweilayefa struck in the 84th minute. Aderemi Adeoye had earlier scored for Ikorodu City in the 80th minute.

In Ilorin, Kwara United defeated Nasarawa United 2-1. Sanni Muhammed gave the hosts an early lead in the 12th minute before Jofrank Istifanus equalised for Nasarawa United in the 29th minute. AbdulSalam A. restored Kwara United’s advantage in the 65th minute.

Shooting Stars recorded a convincing 2-0 win over Katsina United, with Olanrewaju Ridwan and Qamar Adegoke finding the net.

Doma United and Plateau United played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, while Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves shared the points after a goalless encounter.

In Lagos, Inter Lagos drew 1-1 with Kano Pillars. Ubong Friday, assisted by Ahmed Musa, put Pillars ahead in the 33rd minute before Bashir AbdulKareem levelled in the 76th minute.

The Matchday 5 action continues on Thursday when Rivers United, the Pride of Rivers, face Kun Khalifat FC. With the campaign gathering momentum, another round of NPFL drama awaits.

The post EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 5: Sporting Lagos Shock Enyimba as Rangers, Barau FC Pick Up Vital Wins appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

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BREAKING: Super Eagles Camp Grows to 23 as Ndidi, Chukwueze Land in Uyo Ahead of Madagascar Clash

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The Super Eagles camp in Uyo has grown to 23 players following the arrival of captain Wilfred Ndidi and winger Samuel Chukwueze as Nigeria intensifies preparations for Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.

Ndidi and Chukwueze landed at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo at exactly 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday, arriving from Lagos aboard an Ibom Air flight before linking up with the rest of Éric Chelle’s squad.

Their arrival followed that of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who had earlier increased the number of players in camp from 20 to 21 before the team headed out for its first training session.

The initial 20 arrivals were Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac James, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredrick, Moses Usor, George Ilenikhena, Arthur Okonkwo, Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka.

With Nwabali, Ndidi and Chukwueze subsequently reporting, Chelle now has 23 players available, giving the coach an almost complete group as preparations gather momentum in Uyo.

Nigeria’s squad underwent a late alteration after Victor Osimhen was ruled out through injury, prompting the recall of Taiwo Awoniyi as his replacement.

The Coventry City striker is already in camp and will compete with Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena among the centre-forward options.

The Super Eagles will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau for their second Group L qualifier against Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

After the disappointment of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Nigeria are under pressure to begin their AFCON campaign positively.

With 23 players now assembled in Uyo and training underway, Chelle can turn his attention to shaping the team he believes can deliver the opening three points against Madagascar.

The post BREAKING: Super Eagles Camp Grows to 23 as Ndidi, Chukwueze Land in Uyo Ahead of Madagascar Clash appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

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