Sports
8th AWC: ‘ Ivoirians, Team To Watch In Falcons Group’
The General Secretary,
Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Musa Amadu, has noted that Cote d’Ivoire and not Cameroon would be the team to fear at the upcoming African Women Championship (AWC).
Reacting to the recent draw, which pitted defending champions Nigeria with Ethiopia and the other two countries, Amadu said on Wednesday in Abuja that the Ivoirians could be more dangerous.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons were in Cairo, Egypt drawn in Group B of the 2012 AWC scheduled for Equatorial Guinea.
They will play the first group round of games against Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia and Cameroon at the competition scheduled for October 28 to November 11 in Malabo and Bata.
“It is really an interesting group, looking at the kind of opponents we have and with the fact that it looks like a mixed grill.
“However, I believe the team to fear are the Ivoirians who are coming with a good credential,’’ he said.
Amadu said Nigeria’s perennial rivals Cameroon, who ousted the Falcons from the 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers, could not be the only team Nigerians should be wary of in view of the Ivoirians’ credential.
“It is a fact that most Nigerians will think of Cameroon as our biggest rival in the group, but I think that it should be the Ivoirians.
“They beat Guinea 5-1 and 5-0 for a 10-1 aggregate in the preliminary round, and then Mozambique 5-0 and 7-0 for a 12-0 aggregate in the final qualification round.
“Such a team must be feared, and surely we have to do that,’’ he said.
The NFA General Secretary, however, acknowledged that the draw had presented the Falcons, who beat Zimbabwe 6-0 aggregate to qualify with a tough challenge.
He said Ethiopia and Cameroon would also pose a threat to the Falcons and the NFA would in anticipation of this prepare the team very well for the competition.
“It is going to be a tough one for us given this kind of opponents. But it is also a challenge to us that we must prepare very well.
“Ethiopia beat Egypt 6-4 and Tanzania home and away on a 3-1 aggregate to qualify, while Cameroon stopped Ghana after penalty kicks.
“This shows that if we must return with the trophy, we have to prepare very well for the competition, especially as the other group is also tough,’’ Amadu said.
Hosts Equatorial Guinea, who are the 2010 competition runners-up and 2008 winners as hosts, will face Olympic-bound South Africa, Senegal and DR Congo in Group A.
Amadu said he believed in good preparation being the key to a team’s success.
“The key to success for any team is good preparation and, if we (NFA) prepare the Falcons well, we will definitely retain the trophy,’’ he said.
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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