Sports News Today, 5 November 2026 (Evening): Flamingos Eye Final Glory, Chukwueze Out of Tanzania Games, No Nigerian on CAF Shortlist
Last updated: 5 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Evening roundup · Thursday 5 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
Good evening. Nigerian football has one eye on Morocco, where the Flamingos prepare for Saturday’s U-17 Women’s World Cup final, and the other on Uyo, where the Super Eagles gather next week for two must-win AFCON qualifiers. Here is the day’s sport in plain language: results, team news and what comes next.
Today at a glance
- Flamingos: coach Akeem Busari’s team prepare for Saturday’s final against Japan in Rabat, Nigeria’s first in the competition.
- Super Eagles: Samuel Chukwueze has had hip surgery and will miss both Tanzania games; Moses Usor is a doubt.
- CAF Awards: no Nigerian made any men’s shortlist, even though Lagos hosts the ceremony on 7 December.
- NPFL: champions Rangers beat Bendel Insurance 1-0 to go top.
- Champions League: Como won 9-1 at Lens, Liverpool lost for the first time, and PSG and Real Madrid kept perfect records.
- Legends: Nigeria’s 1994 and 1996 heroes play an African Legends side in Lagos on Sunday.
1. Flamingos one step from history as Japan final nears
What happened: A day after beating Brazil 3-1 in Salé, with goals from Queen Joseph and two from Awawu Bashiru, Nigeria’s U-17 women turned their focus to Saturday’s final against Japan in Rabat, which kicks off at 6:30pm local time. Premium Times reported that the Flamingos had 35 attempts on goal to Brazil’s seven. Coach Akeem Busari said his side would approach Japan the way they handled North Korea, whom they beat 3-1 in the group stage, because both teams like to build from the back. Japan, champions in 2014, reached the final by beating North Korea 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. CAF president Patrice Motsepe is expected in Rabat.
Why it matters: Nigeria have already beaten their previous best of third place in 2022. A win would make the Flamingos the first African team to lift the trophy.
Source: Premium Times; ESPN; Business Post.
2. Super Eagles: Chukwueze out, Usor a doubt before Tanzania
What happened: AC Milan said Samuel Chukwueze had successful surgery in London to repair a ruptured tendon in his left hip. He will miss both AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania: in Uyo on Friday 13 November and in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday 17 November. Forward Moses Usor, who scored the winner on his debut against Madagascar in September, was substituted with an injury in LASK’s 4-0 Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava, and the club has not said how serious it is. There was better news on defender Emmanuel Fernandez, who was expected back in training on Thursday after an ankle problem. Coach Eric Chelle is expected to name his squad this week.
Why it matters: Nigeria are second in Group L, three points behind Guinea-Bissau after a 3-0 defeat in Bissau, so six points from Tanzania are vital to stay in the race for first place. See the full picture on our AFCON 2027 qualifiers table.
Source: Premium Times via allAfrica; The Punch; Daily Post; Soccernet.
3. CAF Awards: no Nigerian on any men’s shortlist
What happened: CAF’s 10-man shortlist for Men’s Player of the Year includes Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari of Morocco, Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr and Pape Gueye of Senegal, Amad Diallo, Yoane Wissa, Antoine Semenyo and Teboho Mokoena. Victor Osimhen, the 2023 winner, and Ademola Lookman are missing, as is Egypt’s Mohamed Salah. Ripples Nigeria reported that Nigeria has no nominee in any of the men’s categories, and the omission drew strong reaction from fans on Thursday. The ceremony is in Lagos on Monday 7 December.
Why it matters: Nigeria will host Africa’s biggest football night without a contender in the main men’s awards, a sign of a difficult year on the continental stage.
Source: Ripples Nigeria; Leadership; The Punch.
4. NPFL: Rangers go top after beating Bendel Insurance
What happened: Defending champions Enugu Rangers beat Bendel Insurance 1-0 in a rescheduled game at the Awka Township Stadium, with Chidozie Iwundu scoring just after half-time. Rangers now have 21 points from 10 games, three ahead of Rivers United and Insurance, who both have 18. Rivers United have a game in hand.
Why it matters: The title race is tight early in the 2026/27 season, and Rangers are showing they can defend their crown. Our NPFL table has the latest standings.
Source: The Nation; The Punch.
5. Champions League: Como hit nine, Liverpool beaten, Lookman criticised
What happened: Matchday four ended on Wednesday with Como’s 9-1 win at Lens, which equalled the biggest winning margin in Champions League history. Liverpool lost 3-2 at Fenerbahçe, their first defeat in this season’s competition, while Real Madrid won 3-2 at AEK Athens with a late goal and Arsenal won 2-1 at Slavia Prague. PSG and Real Madrid are the only teams with four wins from four, on 12 points, with Arsenal third on 10. Ademola Lookman came off the bench in Atlético Madrid’s 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich, and Spanish daily AS said he “couldn’t manage a single dribble”.
Why it matters: Lookman’s form at Atlético is worth watching for Chelle, who needs sharp attackers for the Tanzania games.
Source: Blueprint; Daily Post; İdman.Biz.
6. 1994 and 1996 heroes reunite in Lagos on Sunday
What happened: Fifteen members of Nigeria’s 1994 AFCON-winning squad and 1996 Olympic gold medal team, including Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, Finidi George and Mutiu Adepoju, will play an African Legends side featuring Emmanuel Adebayor, El-Hadji Diouf and Stephen Appiah at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, on Sunday 8 November. Kick-off is 5pm, gates open at 1:30pm, and NTA, AIT and Silverbird will show it live. The legends arrive in Lagos on Friday for a camp with 500 young players. The event is organised by Toptier Sports Management with Afreximbank’s CANEX programme.
Why it matters: Beyond nostalgia, organisers and Amokachi are using the game to push for better welfare and pension support for retired footballers.
Source: Leadership; The Sight News; Blueprint.
What to watch next
- Thursday night’s Europa League games, including AC Milan v Ferencváros and Leverkusen v Marseille.
- The Super Eagles squad list for the Tanzania double-header.
- Flamingos v Japan, U-17 Women’s World Cup final, Saturday 7 November, 6:30pm in Rabat.
- The Legends match at Onikan on Sunday 8 November.
- Nigeria v Tanzania in Uyo on Friday 13 November.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Flamingos’ World Cup final?
Saturday 7 November in Rabat, Morocco, at 6:30pm local time, against Japan.
When do the Super Eagles play Tanzania?
Nigeria host Tanzania in Uyo on Friday 13 November and play the return in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday 17 November, both in 2027 AFCON qualifying. Our guide to watching Nigerian football legally explains your viewing options.
Is any Nigerian nominated for the 2026 CAF Awards?
Not in the men’s categories announced so far. Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were left off the Player of the Year shortlist.
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.
