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History at First Whistle: Green Hawks Face Kenya in Nigeria’s Landmark Netball Debut
Months of planning, rebuilding and preparation will give way to 60 minutes of history on Saturday evening when Nigeria’s first-ever national netball team, the Green Hawks, steps onto the court against hosts Kenya at the Africa Netball Championship and 2027 World Cup Qualifier.
Nigeria arrived in Nairobi on Friday, September 18. It proceeded directly to the team hotel, where the players had a brief rest before turning their full attention to their opening assignment.
The Green Hawks face Kenya at 7:00 pm East Africa Time (5:00 pm Nigerian time) on Saturday, September 19, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. World Netball’s official schedule confirms the fixture as Nigeria’s Pool 2 opener.
For Nigeria, the occasion is bigger than an opening match. Every pass, interception and goal will represent a first for a country making its competitive international debut with a national netball team.
Head coach Alison Akinrinsola wants that historic significance to inspire rather than distract her players after preparations in London that included valuable tests against Jamaica, Pakistan and Scotland.
“We have seen where we are, we know the areas we need to improve, and we are working hard to get better,” Akinrinsola said ahead of the competition. “We are not going there just to participate. We are going there to compete and fight for Nigeria.”
The challenge could hardly be more demanding. Kenya will have home support, while Nigeria is entering unfamiliar territory. But the Green Hawks know their first night in Nairobi is an opportunity to announce themselves rather than simply admire the occasion.
NNF President Dr. Esther Oluwatoyin Aluko has urged the players to remain focused, disciplined and determined, while giving special credit to the National Sports Commission for supporting the Federation’s drive to revive netball and establish Nigeria on the international stage.
“The support of the National Sports Commission has been very important to this journey,” Aluko said. “For Nigeria to be here today with its first national netball team shows what can happen when emerging sports are allowed to grow. We are deeply appreciative, but now our players must go onto the court and make this opportunity count.”
After Kenya, there will be little recovery time. Nigeria meets Uganda at 6 pm on Sunday, September 20, before facing Malawi at 4 pm on Monday, September 21, with Zambia at 2 pm on Tuesday, September 22 completing the Green Hawks’ Pool 2 programme.
The stakes extend beyond continental honours. Ten women’s teams are competing in Nairobi, and the tournament forms Africa’s qualification pathway to the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney. South Africa and Uganda have already qualified through their world rankings, while the tournament will determine the next two eligible African invitees to Sydney.
For Nigeria, however, Sydney can wait for a few hours.
First comes Kenya. First comes 6 pm. And first comes something Nigerian netball has never experienced before:
a national team walking onto an international court with the green and white on its chest and history waiting at the first whistle.
The post History at First Whistle: Green Hawks Face Kenya in Nigeria’s Landmark Netball Debut appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
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WAFU – B U-17: Adegbuyi, Oparanmegwa Fire Flamingos Past Côte d’Ivoire
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
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
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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