Sports
ICC’s Women’s World Cup Final Attracts Crowd
The International Cricket Council’s Women’s World Cup will end on Sunday at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London as the tickets for the final has now been sold out with more than 26,500 expected to be in attendance.
A statement by the ICC made available to Tidesports source last Tuesday in Lagos indicated a 32 million page views on the ICC Website and App and 75 million views on ICC video content of group stage games.
The statement also said 50 per cent of the ticket buyers were female and 31 per cent under 16 years.
It noted that an International Cricket Council (ICC) summer of success would come to a record-breaking finale this weekend with a sell-out ICC Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
“It will be the biggest crowd ever to attend an ICC Women’s World match which is fitting for a tournament that has shattered records on and off the field.
“More than 26,500 tickets have been sold for the event with only MCC Members able to purchase any remaining tickets.
“Unprecedented media coverage, including all 31 games shown live for the first ever time, has seen a global audience of more than 50 million for the group stage games with ICC video content from the group stages being viewed more than 75 million times.’’
The statement said that record-breaking global TV audiences had watched the group stage unfold with a staggering number following the event via digital channels.
It said the viewing figures include: 80 per cent higher global viewership expected across the course of the event as against the 2013 edition.
Also, the Global TV audience reached of more than 50 million with 51per cent increases in U.K. TV audience against the 2013 edition.
The statement said that 47 per cent increase was recorded in Indian TV audience as against the 2013 edition, adding that 300 per cent increase was noticed in Australian TV audience as against 2013.
“Thirty-two million page views on ICC Women’s World Cup website and app and 75 million views of ICC video content and
“In the U.K., on the BBC Sport website “Briliant Wilson catch removes Mandora’’ is the second most popular cricket clip on BBC Sport over the past 28 days with over 190,000 views,’’ the statement said..
It said that on the field, records had been shattered, providing fans with the highest quality Women’s World Cup to date (figures correct as at pre-semi-finals).
“The event has seen more runs, more wickets and more players than ever before competing for records on the global stage.
“The league match between England and South Africa saw a record total of 678 runs and that match also saw Tammy Beaumont and Sarah Taylor set new England ODI partnership record of 275 runs.
“Also, 14 innings have passed the 250 mark (vs eight in the whole 2013 edition), 12 players from seven teams averaging more than 50 so far (vs six in the whole 2013 edition).
“South Africa boasts most successful bowlers Van Niekerk and Kapp with 27 wickets between them (pre-semi-final) with Niekerk who has already equalled the best bowling performance of 2013 (Schutt of Australia).
“Other statistics of note are ticket purchaser’s equal 50:50 male: female split, 31 per cent of all tickets to U-16s, 30,000 people visiting fan parks and average ticket sales higher than any previous World Cup.
“The rest are that ticket resale service has been available to fans who can no longer attend the final, since Monday and so far 152 tickets have been resold from fans to fans,’’ it said.
The ICC Women’s World Cup Tournament director, Steve Elworthy,said: “We promised that this would be the best-ever ICC Women’s World Cup and I believe that the statistics, on and off the field, show that we have delivered on that pledge.
“The attendances have been outstanding and they have been treated to some exciting, exhilarating cricket.’’
Also the statement said that the chair of the ICC Women’s Committee, Clare Connor, added: “The challenge for this tournament is to ensure that we showcased the talent of the world’s best cricketers, and to inspire the next generation of girls and women to engage with the game.
“The quality of cricket has been truly fantastic and the demographics of the crowds we’ve seen reveal that we have attracted thousands of girls and women to attend.
“Now we have to retain that level of interest to continue to build a new fan base and drive levels of participation, both in this country and around the world.”
The winners of the two semi-finals will meet in the historic final at Lord’s on Sunday, 23 July.
Sports
Nigeria To Host Commonwealth Fencing Championships
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.”
Sports
Full Draw For 2026 U-17 AFCON
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.
Sports
Eagles To Open 2026 For Unity Cup
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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Full Draw For 2026 U-17 AFCON
