Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, took a significant step toward another global appearance after a commanding 2-0 victory over Malawi in the first leg of their final qualifying round for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on Saturday in Ikenne-Remo.

The result puts Nigeria firmly in control of the tie as they seek to maintain their remarkable record of qualifying for every edition of the competition since its inception in 2002.

From the opening whistle, the Falconets asserted dominance, controlling possession and stretching the Malawian defence with purposeful wing play. Despite carving out numerous scoring chances in the first half, Nigeria were repeatedly denied by Malawi’s standout goalkeeper, Emily Nkhwazi, whose reflexes kept the hosts at bay.

Coach Moses Adukwu was forced into a tactical rethink at halftime after his side’s profligacy in front of goal threatened to undermine an otherwise dominant display. The adjustment paid immediate dividends after the restart.

Just two minutes into the second half, Nigeria broke the deadlock in fortunate circumstances. A dangerous ball into the penalty area triggered confusion in Malawi’s defence, leading to an own goal by Maureen Kenneth in the 47th minute.

The breakthrough lifted the Falconets’ confidence, and they intensified their attacking play. Ten minutes later, the lead was doubled through a well-worked move. Faridat Abdulwahab delivered a precise pass to Kindness Ifeanyi, who finished clinically to give Nigeria a deserved cushion.

Malawi, nicknamed the Young Scorchers, attempted to mount a late response, but Nigeria’s defensive organisation remained solid, ensuring the two-goal advantage was preserved until the final whistle.

The victory not only strengthened Nigeria’s qualification hopes but also came with a financial reward, as Remo Stars FC president, Kunle Soname, fulfilled his pre-match promise by awarding the team ₦1 million, having pledged ₦500,000 per goal.

Attention now shifts to the decisive second leg, scheduled for May 9 at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, where the Falconets will aim to complete the job and secure yet another ticket to the world stage.

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By Kunle Solaja.

This Monday, one of Nigeria’s most influential yet understated sports visionaries, Kunle Soname, marks his 60th birthday. This is a milestone that invites both celebration and reflection on a life that has profoundly reshaped the business and culture of sport in Nigeria.

A recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), Soname’s story is not merely one of wealth, but of purpose. It is a story of a man who has steadily, almost quietly, built structures where others only made promises.

Soname’s love affair with football is the stuff of legend. Family lore recalls how deeply rooted that passion runs: his late father once warned in-laws to avoid fixing his wedding on a match day, fearing his son might choose football over his own ceremony. It was not a joke. It was insight.

Kunle Soname: A passionate football investor whose commitment to the game remains unwavering.

That same passion would decades later give birth to Remo Stars F.C., a club that has grown from modest beginnings into one of the most professionally run sides in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

In a moment that felt almost poetic, Remo Stars sealed the league title around his 59th birthday—an inadvertent but fitting tribute to a man whose life has been intertwined with the game.

Soname is not just a club owner; he is an ecosystem builder. His football portfolio is unmatched in Nigeria: alongside Remo Stars are Remo Stars Ladies and Beyond Limits FA—a pipeline that nurtures talent from grassroots to elite level.

He remains the sole Nigerian with three football teams, making him Nigeria’s biggest investor in football. By now, the Nigeria U-20 Women’s team, Falconets, are in the Ikenne sports facility, training for qualification for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

Soname’s facilities have been a haven for many Nigerian national football teams, including the Falconets, the home-based Super Eagles, among others.

Beyond Nigeria’s shores, he made history in 2015 by acquiring C.D. Feirense, becoming the first Nigerian to own a European football club. In doing so, he created a rare international bridge for Nigerian footballers.

And the results are tangible. Young talents developed under his system are already making global strides, including moves to clubs like Inter Milan and Flamengo. This is clear evidence that his model works.

Ikenne: From Quiet Town to Football Destination

Perhaps Soname’s most enduring legacy is not a balance sheet figure, but a place: Ikenne.

Once a quiet Ogun State town, it is fast becoming a hub of Nigerian football, thanks to a world-class sports complex that has drawn admiration from across the continent. The facilities, complete with modern pitches, residential quarters, medical centres, and training infrastructure, have been compared to elite European academies.

Visitors have struggled to hide their amazement. The scale, vision, and execution challenge long-held assumptions about what is possible in Nigerian sports infrastructure.

A Business Empire with Sporting Soul

While football is his heartbeat, Soname’s influence extends far beyond it. Through Bet9ja, he revolutionised sports betting in Nigeria, introducing digital platforms that reshaped fan engagement. His aviation venture, ValueJet, has carved a niche for reliability in a challenging sector.

His investments span banking, agriculture, real estate, ceramics, and media, including Remo City FM 94.3. Yet, unlike many in his league, Soname remains intensely private—one of Nigeria’s “silent billionaires” whose impact speaks louder than publicity.

Beyond Football: A Patron of Sport

His commitment to sport transcends football. From sponsoring badminton championships that unearthed new talents to backing road races that energised local communities, Soname has consistently demonstrated a belief in sport as a vehicle for development. His Bet9ja Foundation has been a bridge conveying goodwill to society.

At a time when private ownership of football clubs in Nigeria is often seen as risky, he has set a new standard—proving that with structure, vision, and patience, sustainability is possible. It is perhaps an acknowledgement of this that has seen four privately run clubs, rising from the lower NNL into the elite NPFL at the close of the 2025/26 Season.

Barring other factors, a record eight clubs may compete in the NPFL next season, a record since the 1980s when privately run clubs blossomed.

Humility in Greatness

Despite his vast achievements, those who know Soname often speak first of his humility. He is described as cheerful, generous, and deeply committed to empowering young people. Opportunities created through his platforms have changed countless lives—many of them far from the spotlight.

The Legacy at 60

At 60, Kunle Soname stands as a symbol of what Nigerian sports can become when passion meets planning. His journey reflects a rare blend of vision, discipline, and quiet determination.

In an era often defined by noise, he has chosen substance.

And as Nigerian football continues to evolve, one thing is certain: long after the celebrations of his diamond jubilee fade, the structures he has built—in stadiums, academies, businesses, and lives—will continue to shape the game for generations to come.

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The President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Nigerian international Michael Eneramo.

In a condolence message, Motsepe, on behalf of CAF and its 54 Member Associations, extended sympathies to the Nigeria Football Federation and its President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, as well as to the family of the late striker and the entire Nigerian nation.

Motsepe described Eneramo’s passing as a painful loss to African football, acknowledging his contributions to the game both in Nigeria and abroad.

Eneramo featured for several clubs during his career, including Lobi Stars, Tunisian giants Espérance Sportive de Tunis, and Turkish side Beşiktaş J.K.

CAF prayed for the repose of his soul and comfort for all those affected by the loss.

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