Sports
Horvel Angels Upset Holders Fosla Academy to Claim 2025 HerGame Girls Football Championship Title
Horvel Angels were crowned champions of the 2025 HerGame Girls Football Championship after defeating defending champions Fosla Academy 2–0 in a commanding final on Saturday at the Area 3 Sports Complex, Abuja.
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This year’s edition marked a major leap in scale and quality, expanding from an Abuja-only competition to a regional showcase featuring 16 teams drawn from across the North Central zone, providing a more competitive atmosphere and uncovered new levels of talent and technical depth.
Horvel Angels set the tempo early, with Agatha John firing home a composed first-half finish following sustained attacking pressure. The contest was sealed in the second half when tournament revelation Lilian Odide delivered a clinical strike to secure the victory and prevent Fosla Academy from retaining their title.
Earlier in the day, SIK Paragon of Jos clinched third place after a narrow 1–0 win over Generation Next, earning the bronze prize of ₦100,000. Runners-up Fosla Academy received ₦150,000, while champions Horvel Angels claimed the top prize of ₦250,000.
In Individual accolades, Patricia Habila of Fosla Academy was named Most Valuable Player for her midfield brilliance, while Horvel Angels’ striker Lilian Odide finished as Top Scorer with six goals, concluding her superb tournament with the title-deciding strike. Flora Williams of SIK Paragon was voted Best Goalkeeper, having conceded just one goal.
Horvel Angels head coach, Ogbada Atta, commended his team’s resilience and discipline.
“The girls were exceptional from start to finish. They stayed disciplined, followed instructions and showed real hunger. Beating Fosla in a final is no small achievement. This win means everything to us.”
Fosla Academy’s head coach, Christopher Igbuku, praised his players despite the loss.
“We fought hard but Horvel were more decisive today. My players gave their all and I am proud of them. We will bounce back stronger. That is our tradition.”
HerGame Foundation founder and tournament’s sole sponsor, Dr. Pat Ajuma Ayegba, expressed satisfaction with the championship’s growth and reaffirmed her mission to build a national platform for emerging female footballers.
“HerGame is fulfilling its purpose of discovering, empowering and projecting the next generation of female footballers,” she said. “Every girl who played here has a future in the game, and we will keep expanding this platform nationwide.”
The FCT FA board member and Head of Women’s Football Committee also acknowledged key supporters, emphasising the collaborative effort behind the tournament’s success.
“HerGame is built on collaboration and genuine support. I deeply appreciate the Nigeria Football Federation for donating match balls, and we are grateful for the one million naira financial support from the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports. Their contributions strengthened the competition and showed that investing in girls’ football is a shared responsibility.”
FCT FA Secretary and Head of the Organising Committee, Haruna Ilerika, praised the technical quality and overall execution of the event.
“The level of organisation, officiating and talent on display shows how far HerGame has come in just its second edition. The standard was top-class.”
With Horvel Angels lifting the 2025 crown and Fosla Academy taking second place, the HerGame Girls Football Championship continues to cement its place as one of Nigeria’s most impactful grassroots pathways for discovering and nurturing future stars of women’s football.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu; Hajiya (Dr.) Nafisa Shehu Mohammed, President of the Road Safety Officers Wives Association (ROSOWA); Hajiya Amina Sani-Zango-Daura, Head of Women’s Football at the Nigeria Football Federation; former NFF President and Founder of FOSLA Academy, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi; and FCT FA Secretary, Haruna Ilerika.
Sports
Tragedy Hits Spanish Football As Tenerife Striker Jesus De Miguel Dies At 30
Spanish football has been thrown into mourning following the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died at the age of 30 after suffering serious injuries in a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a second-division match.
Tenerife confirmed the player’s death on Tuesday, November 3, revealing that he died at 8:00 a.m. following complications from injuries sustained during the encounter.
The incident occurred towards the closing stages of the match, which was tied at 2-2, when Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international, rushed out of his goal and collided with De Miguel in the middle of the pitch.
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The goalkeeper was sent off following the incident, while the match was subsequently abandoned.
Spanish media reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest after the collision and was resuscitated. However, Tenerife later announced that his neurological condition had deteriorated before he eventually died.
In a statement announcing the tragedy, the club expressed profound sadness over the loss of the striker and extended its condolences to his family, friends and supporters.
“Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe this is real, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death, at 8:00 am (7am GMT), of Jesus de Miguel Alameda,” the club said.
De Miguel joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025 from Castellon and had spent just over a season with the Spanish side.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across Spanish football, including former Barcelona defender and FC Andorra majority shareholder Gerard Pique.
“I am so deeply sorry. Rest in peace, Jesus,” Pique wrote on social media.
FC Andorra also expressed its condolences to De Miguel’s family, teammates and Tenerife, while Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and several other Spanish clubs sent messages of sympathy.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation equally expressed its grief, describing the news as deeply saddening and extending its condolences following the striker’s death.
Sports
Sanwo-Olu Pledges Full Support as Lagos Prepares to Host 2026 CAF Awards
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged the state government’s full support for the successful hosting of the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Sunday after meeting with a CAF delegation led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly.
The governor said his administration would pay particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access to ensure a memorable experience for participants and visitors.
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In a statement shared on his social media account, Sanwo-Olu said, “Meeting with the CAF delegation, led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly, I assured them of our full support, with particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access.”
He described Lagos as a city with the energy and capacity to host major international events.
“Lagos is a city of talent, culture, enterprise and youthful energy,” the governor said.
He added, “We look forward to welcoming football leaders, stakeholders and visitors from across Africa and beyond, while showcasing our hospitality and ability to host major international events.”
The meeting comes as preparations continue for the continental football awards, which will bring together prominent figures in African football to celebrate outstanding performances and achievements.
The latest engagement follows the arrival of a 15-member CAF delegation in Nigeria on Friday, October 16, for a final inspection of facilities ahead of the awards and the organisation’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly.
The delegation, led by Emeruwa, was expected to assess facilities in Lagos and Abuja as part of efforts to evaluate the country’s readiness to host the two events.
The inspection also followed an earlier visit by CAF officials in August, when Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in Lagos’s readiness to host the awards after a delegation inspected the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, in Iganmu.
The 2026 CAF Awards are scheduled to hold in Lagos on December 7, while Abuja is expected to host the CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21.
The awards ceremony will recognise outstanding performances and achievements in African football, bringing together players, coaches, officials and other stakeholders from across the continent.
Sports
Iheanacho Flaunts Turkish Nickname
After scoring twice and providing an assist as Bursaspor beat Muglaspor 3-0 in the Turkish 1. Lig on Thursday, Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho took to social media to declare himself boss.
The Super Eagles forward who moved to the Turkish league from Celtic to Bursaspor has made history, becoming the first football player to score in 10 consecutive league matches for the club and in the Turkish professional league football.
He took to his social media handles to flaunt his Turkish nickname – “Agabey”.
In a post on his verified handle on X, the Nigerian forward shared a picture of himself in traditional Turkish dress with a new nickname, “Agabey”. The caption read, “We go ball till eternity, Kelechi Agabey.”
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The word is a respectful Turkish title that translates as “Big Brother” or “Boss”.
The 30-year-old has now scored in all 10 games he has played for Bursaspor, and including his appearance for the Super Eagles, he has found the net in 11 straight matches. He has 14 goals and three assists since joining from Celtic.





