Sports News Today, 6 November 2026: Flamingos Ready for Japan Final, Arokodare Hits Double, Tanzania Arrive in Uyo
Last updated: 6 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Morning roundup · Friday 6 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
Good morning. All eyes are on Rabat, where the Flamingos meet Japan on Saturday in the first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final ever reached by an African team. Closer to home, the Super Eagles’ Tanzania double-header is taking shape, a Nigerian striker lit up Europe on Thursday night, and the NPFL is dealing with two off-the-pitch disputes. Here is what you need to know.
Today at a glance
- President Tinubu and CAF boss Patrice Motsepe back the Flamingos ahead of Saturday’s final against Japan.
- Tanzania land in Uyo on Sunday; Chelle’s Super Eagles squad for the 13 and 17 November qualifiers is due this week.
- Tolu Arokodare scores twice and assists as Ajax beat Midtjylland 6-1; Friday Etim scores for the hosts.
- Europa League: Celtic come from behind to beat Ndidi’s Besiktas; Milan lose at home to Ferencvaros.
- NPFL: Rivers United get a suspended ₦15 million fine; Bendel Insurance protest Rangers’ winning goal.
- Abuja to host a national grassroots sports summit on 18 and 19 November.
1. Flamingos get presidential and CAF backing before Japan final
What happened: A day after the Flamingos beat Brazil 3-1 in Morocco, President Bola Tinubu publicly urged the team to finish the job against Japan in Saturday’s final (7 November). CAF president Patrice Motsepe congratulated the squad and confirmed he will travel to Rabat to watch. Coach Akeem Busari praised his players’ courage; Nigeria had 35 attempts on goal to Brazil’s seven in the semi-final, with Queen Joseph and a double from substitute Awawu Bashiru doing the damage. Japan reached the final by beating defending champions North Korea on penalties.
Why it matters: No African nation has reached this final since the tournament began in 2008. A win would hand Nigeria its first world title at this level for girls and give women’s football at home a major lift in profile and, hopefully, funding.
Source: TVC News; Voice of Nigeria; Blueprint.
2. Super Eagles: Tanzania arrive early as Chelle finalises his squad
What happened: Tanzania are due in Uyo on Sunday 8 November, five days before they face Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday 13 November. The return leg is in Dar es Salaam on 17 November. Coach Miguel Gamondi has named 24 players, half of them home-based. Eric Chelle is reported to have submitted his list to the NFF, with the announcement expected this week, and got a boost as Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez returned to training after an ankle knock. Tanzania are winless in the group so far but have already qualified for AFCON 2027 as co-hosts.
Why it matters: Many Europe-based Eagles will only arrive after their weekend club games, leaving Chelle a short window to prepare a side that has gone five matches without a clean sheet. Results in this double-header will shape Nigeria’s path to AFCON 2027. See where every Super Eagles player plays in 2026/27.
Source: The Sun; Daily Post; Afrik-Foot.
3. Arokodare stars as Ajax hit Midtjylland for six
What happened: Tolu Arokodare opened the scoring after nine minutes, added a second early in the second half and then set up Owen Wijndal as Ajax thrashed 10-man Midtjylland 6-1 in the Conference League in Denmark on Thursday. Nigerian forward Friday Etim had equalised for the hosts on 28 minutes before Ajax took control. Arokodare was substituted on 70 minutes.
Why it matters: Arokodare is competing with Gift Orban, Terem Moffi, Kelechi Iheanacho and others for a striker’s place next to Victor Osimhen. Two goals and an assist days before the squad is named is the strongest case he could make.
Source: TVC News; Africa Top Sports; Pulse Nigeria.
4. Europa League: late drama at Celtic, Milan stunned
What happened: Wilfred Ndidi came off the bench for Besiktas, who led at Celtic through Junior Olaitan’s rebound from a saved penalty, but two goals from substitute Camilo Duran, including an 87th-minute winner, gave Celtic a 3-2 win and their first league-phase victory. In Milan, Lenny Joseph scored twice as Ferencvaros won 2-0 at San Siro; their substitute Bamidele Yusuf was sent off ten minutes after coming on for an elbow spotted by VAR. Bournemouth came from behind to win 3-1 at Sparta Prague and keep a perfect record, while Juventus won 2-1 at AZ Alkmaar.
Why it matters: Ndidi is a near-certain pick for the Eagles’ midfield, so his minutes and fitness matter to Chelle. The night also showed how open this season’s Europa League is, with big names such as Milan struggling.
Source: Sky Sports; RTHK/AFP; ESPN.
5. NPFL: suspended sanction for Rivers United, protest from Bendel Insurance
Rivers United
What happened: The league found Rivers United guilty of denying its broadcast partner, Murphy Ben International, access to their Matchday 11 home game against Rangers. The club received a ₦15 million fine plus a three-point and three-goal deduction, all suspended and only triggered by a repeat offence this season, along with a final warning. In a statement, media director Charles Mayuku acknowledged the ruling but called for live coverage to be shared fairly among all 20 clubs. Some fans criticised the decision as too lenient.
Bendel Insurance
What happened: Bendel Insurance have petitioned the NPFL over Rangers’ 1-0 win in Awka, alleging officials did not apply the Laws of the Game after the goalframe was displaced before Chidozie Iwundu’s winner. The league has not yet ruled.
Why it matters: Both cases test how the league handles broadcasting rights and refereeing complaints, issues that shape the NPFL’s value to sponsors and TV partners. Track the standings on our NPFL table page.
Source: Daily Post; Pan Africa Football; BSN Sports.
6. National grassroots sports summit set for Abuja
What happened: Adeyinka Adeboye, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development, announced a two-day summit at the State House, Abuja, on 18 and 19 November. It will focus on participation, talent development, infrastructure, the sports economy and international pathways, and aims to produce a national roadmap covering all 774 local government areas.
Why it matters: Many talented young Nigerians are never discovered because of poor facilities and weak pathways. The summit’s value will depend on whether its plan is funded and carried out at council level.
Source: ThisDay; press conference at the Abuja National Stadium.
What to watch next
- Saturday 7 November: Flamingos vs Japan, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final, Rabat.
- This week: official Super Eagles squad list for the Tanzania double-header.
- Sunday 8 November: NPFL Matchday 12, including Kun Khalifat vs Kano Pillars (now 4pm in Owerri).
- 13 and 17 November: Nigeria vs Tanzania in Uyo, then Dar es Salaam.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Flamingos’ final against Japan?
Saturday 7 November 2026 in Rabat, Morocco. It is Nigeria’s first appearance in a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final.
When do the Super Eagles play Tanzania?
Friday 13 November at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, and 17 November at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam. You can follow our guide to watching Nigerian football legally online.
Have Rivers United lost points?
Not yet. The three-point deduction and ₦15 million fine are suspended and only apply if the club commits a similar broadcast offence again this season.
This roundup summarises reporting by the outlets credited under each story, in our own words. Follow Naijatipsland Updates on WhatsApp for the next edition. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it under our editorial policy.
