Sports
WAFCON 2026: Debutants, Malawi shock Super Falcons in 3-2 defeat
Defending champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons suffered a humiliating 3-2 defeat in the hands of debutants, Malawi in their opening Group C fixture at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Tuesday night
Nigeria, the defending champions and Africa’s most successful women’s football nation, appeared to be heading for a frustrating draw after a goalless first half, before the rampaging Malawian ladies dented the Nigerian girls pursuit for their 11th WAFCON victory
Two Malawian players from the same parents, Tamwa and Tabitha Chawinga were the Super Falcons tormentors as they both scored for the east African country
Temwa broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute, before her sister Tabitha Chawinga doubled the debutants’ advantage six minutes later.
With time running out, Nigeria were handed a lifeline when captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted a penalty in the 92nd minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The Super Falcons pressed desperately for an equaliser, but Malawi struck again in the fifth minute of added time, with Temwa Chawinga completing her brace to restore the Scorchers’ two-goal cushion.
Nigeria refused to surrender and pulled another goal back through Uchenna Kanu in the ninth minute of stoppage time, but Malawi held on to secure one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history.
Malawi celebrated a historic victory on their WAFCON debut, with the Chawinga sisters playing starring roles in a remarkable performance.
The result leaves Nigeria under immediate pressure in Group C, where they will also face Zambia and Egypt in their remaining fixtures.
For coach Justin Madugu and his players, the task now is to recover quickly and avoid another setback in their pursuit of an unprecedented 11th continental title.
The 2026 WAFCON i will also produce Africa’s representative for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the four semi-finalists earning automatic qualification for the global tournament.
Sports
WAFCON Outcome: NFF sacks Madugu, disbands Super Falcons technical crew

By Our Reporter
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has directed Super Falcons Head Coach Justin Madugu and all members of the team’s technical crew to step down with immediate effect following Nigeria’s disappointing outings at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
The decision comes after a difficult period for the nine-time African champions, who endured their worst-ever performance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
For the first time in the history of the competition, the Super Falcons failed to reach the semi-finals after suffering a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon. Nigeria had struggled to produce convincing performances throughout the tournament before their campaign was brought to an abrupt end in the last eight.
The quarter-final exit also came with major consequences, as the Falcons missed out on an automatic qualification ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
Nigeria, however, had another opportunity to keep their World Cup hopes alive through a playoff clash against South Africa. But the Super Falcons were again unable to get the desired result, losing 2-1 to Banyana Banyana.
The back-to-back setbacks have now prompted the NFF to make changes to the team’s technical setup, with Madugu and his assistants ordered to vacate their positions.
Madugu had led the Super Falcons technical crew, working alongside a number of assistants and backroom staff.
The NFF had, in November 2021, appointed Madugu and Edwin Okon as members of the Super Falcons technical crew as part of efforts to restructure and strengthen the team.
With the latest development, attention will now turn to who takes charge of the Super Falcons as Nigeria continues its quest to return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and reclaim its dominance on the African stage.
Sports
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2023 after leaving Manchester United.
He has continued to play at the highest level and featured for Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored more than 900 senior career goals for club and country.
He and Rodríguez married in an intimate ceremony at their home in Cascais, Portugal, on August 11, the 10th anniversary of the day they first met.
In the Vogue interview, the couple said they were looking forward to spending more time together and with their children.
Ronaldo said he had already planned his life after football, suggesting that retirement would mark the beginning of a new phase rather than an end to his activities.
Sports
Rangers legend, Dominic Nwobodo is dead
The Rangers International Football club family has been hit by yet another death, barely one year after the passing of it’s celebrated Captain, Christian Chukwu
This time, a pioneer player and captain of the Enugu based legendary club, Dominic Nwobodo has been reported dead
Popularly known as “Alhaji Nwobodo,” Dominic Nwobodo reportedly died on Friday, August 14. 2026
His death was announced by the Ex-Rangers International Footballers Cooperative, of which he was a founding member.
The cooperative described Nwobodo as a remarkable footballer, national player and coach who made significant contributions to the growth and development of Rangers.
“He was not only a dreaded attacker but also a remarkable national player in the 70s, who served the game with dedication, both as a player and as a coach,” the cooperative said in a statement signed by its secretary.
The group said his death had left a huge void in the Rangers family, describing him as a respected figure whose contributions helped shape the history of the club.
Nwobodo, a veteran Biafran soldier was the pioneer captain of Rangers International and among the early players who helped establish Rangers shortly after the Nigerian Civil War in 1970.
A civil war veteran, he was part of the group of former soldiers and war veterans who formed the backbone of the club and helped turn Rangers into a symbol of post-war recovery, unity and resilience in the South-East.
This is probably going to be my last year of football, Ronaldo hints of retirement
Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he could retire from professional football after the 2026-27 season, saying he wants to leave a “spectacular legacy.”
The 41-year-old Portugal captain made the revelation in an interview with Vogue published on Sunday, as he discussed his future following his wedding to partner Georgina Rodríguez.
“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo said.
He had earlier announced his retirement from international football, after leading Portugal at the last 2026 FIFA World cup that was jointly hosted by the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico
The Al-Nassr forward, who began the new season on August 15, said he is already looking ahead to more time with his family.
“I have my future all mapped out,” he said. “I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard.
“Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned—what we’ve earned.
“Because after all it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”
The comments mark one of the clearest indications yet from the Portuguese star about the approaching end of a career that has included major titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Portugal.
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