Sports
Nigeria vs Zimbabwe – date, time, venue and where to watch
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will kick off their Unity Cup title defence with a semifinal showdown against Zimbabwe as the four-nation tournament gets underway in London.
Nigeria won the last edition of the competition and will return this year aiming to retain the trophy in a tournament that also features Jamaica and India. The Unity Cup is scheduled to run from May 26 to May 30.
The semifinal clash between Nigeria and Zimbabwe will take place on Tuesday, May 26, at The Valley in London, with kick-off slated for 7:30 p.m. Nigerian time.
The Super Eagles head into the encounter hoping to end a frustrating run against the Warriors after drawing each of their last three meetings.
The competition is also expected to serve as an important testing ground for new players and tactical ideas ahead of future international assignments.
Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has already stated that the Unity Cup is about more than just winning silverware.
According to the Malian tactician, the tournament forms part of Nigeria’s rebuilding process ahead of future competitions, including the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Chelle is expected to use the tournament to assess new talents and strengthen the depth of the national team. His recently announced squad reflected that approach, with several fresh faces included in the 27-man list.
Nigeria opened preparations for the competition on Saturday evening with 14 players taking part in the team’s first training session. Those initially present in camp included Junior Ayobami, Al Ameen Tijani, Michael Alata, Adeoye Aderemi, Oputa Chibueze, Igboke Obinna, Elias Ocholi, Tosin Oyedokun, Philip Otele, Arthur Okonkwo, Femi Azeez, Owen Oseni, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Terem Moffi.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho later joined the camp alongside Chibuike Nwaiwu and Rafiu Durosinmi, while more senior players were still expected to arrive. Among those yet to report at the time were Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Raphael Onyedika, Bruno Onyemaechi, Yira Sor, Akor Adams, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will head into the competition with a youthful squad selected by interim manager Tembo. Experienced trio Marvelous Nakamba, Marshall Munetsi, and Gerald Takwara are the most capped players in the Warriors setup, each with 38 appearances for the national team.
The Zimbabweans will however be without Tino Kadewere due to injury, while Bill Antonio and Divine Lunga have also withdrawn from the squad. In response, Isheanesu Mauchi, Prosper Padera, and Washington Navaya were drafted in as replacements. Abubakar Moffat could also make his senior international debut during the tournament.
The winner between Nigeria and Zimbabwe will advance to the Unity Cup final, where they will face either Jamaica or India on May 30 at The Valley in Charlton, south-east London.
Fans in Nigeria will be able to watch the match live on SuperSport via DStv.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo on Friday.
Madagascar stunned the home crowd at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium by taking the lead in the 16th minute through E. Kari, who converted a pass from R. Ponti.
Nigeria responded before half-time, with debutant George Ilenikhena restoring parity after combining with Alex Iwobi to finish off the move.
The Super Eagles completed the comeback in the second half when another debutant, Moses Usor, scored to put Eric Chelle’s side 2-1 ahead.
Nigeria held on to secure all three points and make a winning start to their Group L campaign.
The result is particularly significant because Tanzania, one of the group’s co-hosts, already has an automatic place at the 2027 AFCON finals.
Consequently, only the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will claim the remaining qualification ticket from the group.
The Super Eagles will next travel to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday for their second Group L fixture, while Madagascar will face Tanzania.
Nigeria were without Victor Osimhen for the match after the Galatasaray striker was ruled out of the opening two qualifiers while recovering from a muscle injury.
Team FCT have emerged winners of the Abuja Zone of the ongoing 2026 First Bank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation Inter-Secondary School Football Competition.
The FCT side finished top of the zonal standings with 10 points to secure the first position, while Plateau State came second with 7 points.
Other teams that participated in the Abuja Zone competition were representatives from Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
Speaking after FCT emerged champions of the zone, 16-year-old Victor Onyebuchi, an emerging star and a student of GSTC Garki, praised the organisers for providing young footballers with an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Onyebuchi said he had hoped and prayed that FCT would emerge winners of the group, expressing delight that his wish had been fulfilled.
He, however, stressed that the team must work harder ahead of the national final, where they will aim to compete for the overall title.
“I am very happy that FCT emerged winners of the group. I prayed for this and my wish has come true. Now, we have to work harder for the national final and hopefully emerge champions,”
Onyebuchi said.
The promising midfielder also revealed that the competition represents an important platform in his ambition to become a professional footballer.
“My dream is to become a professional footballer in Nigeria and later play for the national team. I believe this tournament can give me the opportunity to achieve that dream.”
The Abuja Zone was one of the zonal centres for the 2026 First Bank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation Inter-Secondary School Football Competition, designed to provide young players with a platform to develop and showcase their football abilities.
Former Super Eagles captain and Al-Ahli star, William Troost-Ekong, has converted to Islam.
Troost-Ekong was said to have recited the Shahadah in Doha, Qatar, where he plays for Qatar Stars League club Al-Ahli, as reported by a Qatari press, “Al-Arab” on Wednesday.
A respected Islamic cleric, Dr Muhammad Salah, also shared a video on his verified Facebook account wherein the defender recited the testimonies.
The 33-year-old defender first moved to the Arab region in the summer of 2024, when he signed for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Khaleej.
He joined Qatari side, Al-Ahli in January 2026 on a one-and-a-half-year contract and has since played 14 matches across all competitions, including a single appearance in the current season.
On the international stage, Ekong won 83 caps for Nigeria between 2015 and 2025, scoring 8 goals.
He reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire and was named best player of that edition.
Troost-Ekong also represented Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games, establishing himself as one of the country’s most experienced defenders of the past decade.
He enjoyed a distinguished international career with Super Eagles, making more than 70 appearances for the Super Eagles.
House of Assembly Candidate, Sanni Urges Unity Among Ekiti ADC Members
Between Governor Soludo and Peter Obi: The Truth in Between
Six inmates die in one week amid suspected cholera outbreak in Kano prison
-
News17 hours agoHow AI Could Cause the catastrophic death of a Billion people — Billionaire Bill Gates Warns
-
Sports17 hours agoAFCON Qualifier: Nigeria Defeats Madagascar
-
News17 hours agoPolice Arrest Officer Who Said Igbo Man Can Never Be President
-
News17 hours agoPastor Adeboye Welcomes 105 Nigerians Repatriated From South Africa
-
News17 hours agoAnambra: Peter Obi left $155m in three banks — Otti
-
News7 hours agoPDP group slams Zamfara Governor for attacking Wike, hails FCT Minister’s nationalistic position