The sports world was buzzing, witnessing the unusual, heartbreaking, and shocking from Europe to Africa, South America to Asia.  ,
In addition to the final two laps, the CAF Champions League games were available for football fans in the previous seven days.
These and other important sports-related talking points are covered in First 11, the recap of the week’s major highlights. Stay tuned!
Flamingos win the World Cup after beating Algeria.
FULL TIME ! in Bilda
Algeria 0-0 Nigeria (0-4 Agg)
The Morocco 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup has been sealed for our Flamingos.
Congratulations to #U17WWCQ #ALGNGA #SoarFlamingos @thenff pic. twitter.com/5IqV1dA7Iv
Good news from the home front first! After easing past Algeria, the Flamingos have qualified for the World Cup. After falling to them 4-0 in the first half of the contest, the U-17 women’s team held their opponents to a goalless draw on Friday.
The Flamingos will now display the country’s flag in Morocco during the upcoming competition, scheduled for October and November 2025. In the quarter-finals, the Nigerian team lost to the USA. Third place in India 2022 was their best accomplishment.
Liverpool’s Title Cusp
After second-place Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Liverpool are on the verge of capturing their 20th Premier League title. If they don’t lose to Tottenham at Anfield, they could win that title as early as Sunday.
Leicester City, Liverpool’s rival Premier League team, earlier this week, confirmed Jamie Vardy’s departure. The club called the lightning-quick forward their “greatest-ever player,” and he was a key part of the side that won the English league title in 2016 despite what appeared to be impossible to come by.
Leicester City’s Vardy Bows
Vardy, a former England international, made 198 goals in almost 500 appearances for the Foxes in 2012 when he left non-league outfit Fleetwood for just £1 million ($1.3 million). With 143 goals, the club captain has the best Premier League record.
In addition, this weekend’s English FA Cup semi-final matches are something to look forward to. While Manchester City battle Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace will face Aston Villa.
Read more about Ipswich’s removal from the Premier League after one season.
Nigeria Names a World Relays Team
Nigeria has named a strong squad for the 2025 World Athletics Relays, including Tobi Amusan, the world record-holder in the 100-meter hurdles. At the event scheduled for May 10 to 11, the nation will compete in the men’s 4100 meters, women’s 4100 meters, 4400 meters mixed relay, and the newly introduced 4100 meters mixed relay.
Eniola Bolaji is honored
After receiving the 2024 Africa Women in Badminton Award, Paralympic bronze medalist Eniola Bolaji received cheery news for Nigeria in badminton. The feat was a recognition of her para-badminton accomplishments and progress.
Eniola received the award on Thursday at the Badminton Confederation Africa Annual General Meeting in China. After Obiageli Solaja won it in 2019, she becomes the second Nigerian to receive this honor.
Sundowns Silence Ah Ahly, Book Date With Pyramids
A 90th-minute own goal from Al Ahly defender Yasser Ibrahim secured a place in the CAF Champions League final for Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, who will face Pyramids, another Egyptian club.
After a 0-0 semi-final first leg, Ahly and Sundowns qualified on the away-goal rule, winning 1-1 before a capacity crowd of 73, 000 in Cairo, and will host the final’s first game on May 24.
Homecoming is a Homecoming by Anthony Joshua.
The game is my favorite. The hustle is my favorite. Do you know any ball players like that? like Kobe, Magic, James, Jordan, or something else. You are aware that I have money and that I can leave the game. …………. Will the fans still have a crush on me, man? In the streets, I find love. twitter.com/Pw2prxNgcB
On the continent, still! After spending weeks infiltrating his ancestral home with fans, Anthony Joshua has since bid farewell to the nation. The two-time heavyweight champion spent time recovering from an injury and getting ready for his next fight in Nigeria. The 35-year-old enjoyed memorable experiences in the nation, including a popular video of him cutting off the street. He was spotted jogging among the locals in Sagamu, Ogun State, where he was a ancestor, and exchange warm greetings there.
The British-Nigerian boxer thanked Nigerians for their warm hospitality throughout their stay, expressing his gratitude for their “energy, generosity, and kindness.”
Real Madrid and Barcelona to face off in the Copa del Rey.
Real Madrid and Barcelona will host the Copa del Rey final today, which will be a return match between the two teams. Following a comment made by match officials who criticized Real Madrid’s comments about referees, that game has become a source of controversy. Real Madrid threatened to abandon the game after making those remarks during the pre-game press conference and training session on Friday. However, the Galaticos will now play the 9 p.m. (WAT) game.
D’Tigress Get Supporters
In the group stage of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, D’Tigress will face Mozambique and Rwanda. The senior women’s football team from Nigeria is the defending champion since 2023. The Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan will host the 12-nation tournament in the Ivory Coast from July 26 through August 3.
Games Changed Following Pope’s Demise
Due to a clash with Pope Francis’ funeral, which the Vatican announced would take place on Saturday, Inter Milan’s match against Roma was postponed, according to Serie A on Tuesday. In order to defend their league title, Inter will now play on Sunday at 1300 GMT, with Inter having the highest profile in the league title race against Napoli.
Evra To Launch Mixed Martial Arts
Finally, Patrice Evra, a former France fullback, announced on Friday that he will switch to mixed martial arts and will hold his first fight there in May.
Source: Channels TV
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