Sports News Today, 9 November 2026 (Evening): Flamingos home, Ajayi all clear, Youth Olympics 100m double
Last updated: 9 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Evening roundup · Monday 9 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
Good evening. The Flamingos are home with the trophy, Eric Chelle is in Uyo, and the Semi Ajayi scare looks smaller than feared. Nigeria’s teenage sprinters have also taken both 100m titles at the Youth Olympics, and three European clubs spent Monday deciding the future of their managers. Here is the evening catch-up.
Today at a glance
- World champion Flamingos land in Abuja to drums and dancing.
- Chelle arrives in Uyo; Hull say Ajayi came off with cramp, not a serious injury.
- Assistant Deniran Ortega to lead the Olympic Eagles against DR Congo while Chelle focuses on Tanzania.
- Rosemary Nwankwo and 15-year-old Gift Bright win Youth Olympic 100m gold in Dakar.
- Sassuolo and Aberdeen sack their coaches; Manchester United review Michael Carrick’s position.
- Norris wins a wet Sao Paulo Grand Prix as Mercedes clinch the constructors’ title.
1. Flamingos land in Abuja as world champions
What happened
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the early hours of Monday after their 2-1 win over Japan in Saturday’s World Cup final in Rabat, Africa’s first title at this level. NFF officials, journalists and supporters with drums met the squad. Captain Harmony Chidi thanked her teammates, coaches and everyone who prayed for them. In a statement, President Tinubu said the win goes far beyond football and singled out scorers Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku. A formal state reception has yet to be dated.
Why it matters
Nigeria now has a world-class group of teenage players. Keeping them together, paid and developing towards the Falconets and Super Falcons is the next challenge. Relive the final in our Flamingos v Japan match report.
Source: TheCable; Arise TV; Peoples Gazette.
2. Chelle in Uyo, and good news on Ajayi
What happened
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle flew into Abuja on Monday morning and continued to the team base in Ikot-Ekpene with assistant Hedi Taboubi. Invited players are arriving through the day, with the first training session on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. This morning’s worry over Semi Ajayi has eased: Hull City manager Sergej Jakirović said the defender was one of two players taken off with cramp in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal, and Hull reports say there is nothing more serious. Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez remains the likely standby only if needed.
Why it matters
With Osimhen out after knee surgery, keeping a settled defence is vital. Nigeria host Tanzania on Friday 13 November and play the return in Tanzania on Tuesday 17 November, needing points to stay in the AFCON 2027 race. Check our full 24-man squad list.
Source: The Guardian Nigeria; Punch; Nigeria Info.
3. Olympic Eagles: Ortega takes charge for DR Congo tie
What happened
Because the senior and U-23 fixtures fall on the same dates, Chelle has left the Olympic Eagles camp. Assistant Deniran Ortega, helped by Ikorodu City coach Bright Ozebagbe, will lead the side against DR Congo in Lubumbashi on Friday 13 November and in the return at Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, on Tuesday 17 November. Chelle’s 23-man list includes Brighton winger Zadok Yohanna, Molde midfielder Daniel Daga and Fulham’s Chibuzo Nwoko. Home-based players are due to travel on Tuesday.
Why it matters
Winning this tie takes Nigeria to the final round of qualifying for the 2027 U-23 AFCON in Egypt, the route to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Nigeria have not played men’s Olympic football since 2016.
Source: Vanguard; Leadership; ESPN.
4. Youth Olympics: Nigeria’s 100m double in Dakar
What happened
On the opening night of athletics at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, team captain Rosemary Nwankwo, 17, won the girls’ 100m in a wind-assisted 11.16 seconds, ahead of the UAE’s Arwa Ali and Qatar’s Dana Salem. Minutes later, 15-year-old Gift Bright won the boys’ final in a Games record of 10.28 seconds, ahead of China’s Zhang Hangyu and Poland’s Szymon Dolega. Bright is the first Nigerian boy to win this title; Nwankwo is the third Nigerian girl, after Josephine Omaka (2010) and Rosemary Chukwuma (2018). Ugoh Tejiri reached the 400m semi-finals. The Games end on 12 November.
Why it matters
These are the first Youth Olympics held in Africa, and Nigeria’s sprint tradition is clearly alive. The test is whether these teenagers get proper coaching and competition at home over the next four years.
Source: World Athletics; Channels TV; ThisDay.
5. Managers under pressure across Europe
What happened
Sassuolo sacked Alberto Aquilani on Monday after a fifth straight defeat, 3-0 at Roma, left them 17th in Serie A; former Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella is reported to be their top choice. Aberdeen parted company with Stephen Robinson after a 4-0 home loss to Hibernian, with Stuart Duff in interim charge. At Manchester United, reports say the club is assessing Michael Carrick’s position after Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa left them 18th, while Carrick insists he will not resign and expects to carry on. No decision has been announced.
Why it matters
The international break is when clubs make changes. A new Manchester United coach would face Liverpool away on 22 November, a fixture millions of Nigerian fans will watch.
Source: ANSA; PA via Echo; The Independent.
6. F1: Norris wins in the Brazil rain, Mercedes are champions
What happened
In case you missed it last night, Lando Norris won a rain-hit Sao Paulo Grand Prix from pole for McLaren, 14.6 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen, who climbed from 21st on the grid after engine penalties. Isack Hadjar was third, with Mercedes’ George Russell and Kimi Antonelli fourth and fifth, enough for Mercedes to clinch their ninth constructors’ title. It was Norris’s 14th career win.
Why it matters
With the teams’ title settled, attention turns to the final rounds of the drivers’ championship before the season ends in December.
Source: Reuters; AP via Manila Bulletin.
What to watch next
- Tuesday 10 November: Super Eagles’ first training session in Uyo; Olympic Eagles’ home-based players travel.
- Friday 13 November: Nigeria v Tanzania in Uyo; DR Congo v Nigeria U-23 in Lubumbashi.
- Up to 12 November: more Team Nigeria events at the Dakar Youth Olympics.
- Tuesday 17 November: return legs for both the Super Eagles and the Olympic Eagles.
Frequently asked questions
Is Semi Ajayi fit for the Tanzania games?
Hull City say he came off with cramp, not a serious injury. The NFF has not announced any withdrawal; his fitness will be checked in camp this week.
Who is coaching the Olympic Eagles against DR Congo?
Assistant coach Deniran Ortega, supported by Ikorodu City’s Bright Ozebagbe, because Chelle is with the Super Eagles for the Tanzania double-header on the same dates.
Who won the Youth Olympic 100m titles?
Nigeria won both: Rosemary Nwankwo (11.16, wind-assisted) and Gift Bright (10.28, a Games record).
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.
