N igeria’s Super Eagles defended their Unity Cup title with a commanding 3-0 win over Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz on Saturday night at The Valley stadium in London. Alhassan Yusuf led the charge with two goals as Nigeria avoided the drama of last year’s final, when they beat Jamaica on penalties at the Gtech Community Stadium. Nigeria made a fast start. Just three minutes in, Yusuf found space in the box and fired the Super Eagles into an early lead, catching the Jamaican defence off guard. Jamaica pushed hard for an equaliser before halftime and created several good chances, but Nigeria’s defence held firm to keep the 1-0 advantage at the break. The Super Eagles took control again after the restart. In the 59th minute, Femi Azeez delivered a perfect cross from the wing and Terem Moffi rose highest to head home Nigeria’s second goal. Jamaica threw players forward in stoppage time chasing a way back into the game. Nigeria punished them on the break. A quick team move ended with Yusuf calmly s...

T hirty-two years after lighting up the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha still owns a record no player has touched, FIFA has confirmed. The world football body paid fresh tribute to the former Super Eagles captain this week, pointing to his 15 successful dribbles against Italy in the Round of 16 at USA ’94. It remains the highest in a single World Cup match. Okocha’s journey to that moment started at home with Enugu Rangers before he moved to Europe in 1990 to join Germany’s Borussia Neunkirchen. Four years later, he was tormenting one of the best defences in the world. Italy’s backline that day featured legends Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Demetrio Albertini. Yet Okocha glided past them time and again with his quick feet, close control and bold attacking style. Since then, generations of top dribblers have come and gone, but none have matched his mark in 90 minutes. Brazil’s Jairzinho and England’s Paul Gascoigne sit joint second with 13 dribble...

S enegal qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations final on Thursday after beating hosts Morocco 7-6 on penalties. The match ended 1-1 at Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat. Senegal goalkeeper Assane Sarr was the key player. He made important saves in the shootout to stop Morocco from winning at home. Senegal will now play Tanzania in the final. Tanzania beat Egypt on penalties earlier on Thursday. Morocco scored a late goal to force penalties. In the 99th minute, Ismail El Aoud’s penalty was saved by Sarr, but El Aoud scored from the rebound to make it 1-1. Senegal took the lead in the 23rd minute. Commissaire Faye’s shot was blocked by the Moroccan goalkeeper, and Mouhamed Wagne scored from the rebound. Morocco had a goal by Adam Al-Laki cancelled by VAR before halftime. In the second half, Morocco attacked more. Amine Moustach and Brahim Rabaj had chances, but Senegal defended well until Cheikh Dieng’s handball gave Morocco a late penalty. During the shoo...