FIFA U-20 WWC: Malawi coach: ‘Playing Nigeria an achievement’

Malawi under-20 women’s national team coach Maggie Chombo says her wards are ready to face Nigeria on Saturday, 2 May 2026, describing the encounter with the Falconets as a major milestone.

The Malawi women’s football pioneer gave an update on the Junior Scorchers’ preparedness ahead of the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup (FIFA U-20 WWC) final qualifying round, first leg, at Remo Stars Stadium.

“Everyone is ready for the game,” Chombo told Malawi FA media on Friday, 1 May 2026. “Morale is high. The weather is good—it is not as hot as we anticipated. The players have shown character. They are ready for the game.” milkshakeslot.online

Why playing the Falconets of Nigeria is a milestone for Malawi

The FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women mentor described facing the Falconets as a significant achievement, considering Nigeria’s massive profile and consistent World Cup qualification record.

“As a coach, this is a big achievement, and it is a big achievement for the players as well,” she said. “Nigeria is a big team. They have gone to the World Cup so many times, but football is changing.

“To reach this stage means we are growing. To play Nigeria is a big achievement for the nation and the players as well. Psychologically and mentally, everyone is fit. Everyone is ready for the game.”

The Junior Scorchers have never qualified for the finals of a major global competition. In contrast, Nigeria has featured in the World Cup finals 11 times, most recently in 2024.

Beefing up for the first leg

Ahead of the away fixture, Chombo named her final 20-member travelling party, which includes midfielders Leticia Chinyamula, Olivia Phikani, and Sarah Mlimbika, and goalkeeper Esther Maulidi. The Malawi squad left for Nigeria on Monday, 27 April 2026.

The four up-and-coming players were part of the Malawi senior team squad that featured in the FIFA Series in Kenya earlier in April 2026, where they faced Australia and India.

The Junior Scorchers will host the return leg of the FIFA U-20 WWC qualifiers on Saturday, 9 May, at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. The aggregate winner of the two legs will book a ticket to the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

Chombo’s girls booked their date with the Falconets after thrashing Guinea-Bissau 5-1 on aggregate in the previous qualifying round in February.

Final Qualifying Round Fixtures

Nigeria vs. Malawi

Cameroon vs. Tanzania

Ghana vs. Uganda

Ivory Coast vs. Benin

The Ghana Premier League returns this weekend, with match week 31 set to light up various venues. Fixtures for week 30 were postponed following the tragic death of Berekum Chelsea player Dominic Frimpong in an armed robbery attack.

Giants Hearts of Oak will be on the road to the Dr Kyei Stadium as guests of Nations FC on Sunday at 3:00 pm GMT.

Hearts of Oak are third on the Ghana Premier League table. Hearts midfielder Abdul Karim returns to face his former side and shared his thoughts on the preparations for the game.

“As for preparations, everything is on course, and we are getting ready to face Nations FC,” Abdul Karim told Hearts TV.

Abdul Karim has ruled out any form of pressure ahead of the encounter.

“I’m not under pressure because we have played against them before and it’s my former club, so I’m not under any pressure,” he said.

Hearts of Oak lost 1-0 to Vision FC two weeks ago at the Nii Adjei Okraku II Park and will be looking for redemption on Sunday. Karim indicated the players’ readiness for the fixture and urged the fans to storm the venue and offer their support.

“We [as players] have spoken to ourselves, and we have watched clips of the games as well. Ours is to win games and see what happens, and we urge the fans to come in numbers to support the team because we will make them happy.”

Hearts of Oak have recorded three draws, a win, and a loss in their last five matches—results that have left the fans asking questions ahead of the Nations FC game.

The record Ghana FA Cup holders currently occupy third spot on the league table with 46 points, five behind second-placed GoldStars and nine away from leaders Medeama.

Le climat est tendu du côté de l’Olympique de Marseille, et le nom de Himad Abdelli s’est retrouvé au cœur de nombreuses spéculations ces derniers jours. Après le match nul frustrant face à l’OGC Nice, des rumeurs ont évoqué une altercation entre le milieu algérien et son entraîneur, alimentant l’idée d’un vestiaire sous tension.

The post France : Abdelli, mise au point de Beye appeared first on Football Algérien - DZFOOT.COM.

TP Mazembe have boosted their Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Linafoot Ligue 1 title bid by signing two players on two-year contracts.

In a statement issued on Friday, 1 May 2026, the Lubumbashi-based football powerhouse confirmed the signings of striker Chadrack Bingi Belo and midfielder Apidja Ilume Mbongo.

#Ligue1PlayOffs #ClassicoRDC
Ligue 1 – Play-Offs / Aller
1ère Journée
@ASVitaOfficial DR Congo to warm up for World Cup with Denmark
Vendredi, 1er mai 2026
13:00 TU, 15:00 Lubumbashi
@TBadiangwenas
Lubumbashi – RDC pic.twitter.com/fjsZ24kgOL

— TP Mazembe (@TPMazembe) April 30, 2026

“TP Mazembe is pleased to announce to all its supporters the signing of midfielder Apidja Ilume Mbongo, nicknamed Sissoko. The former Simba de Kolwezi player, who came up through the ranks at OC Idimo, is now a Raven,” the statement reads.

“TP Mazembe is pleased to announce to all its supporters the signing of striker Chadrack Bingi Belo. Formerly a centre-forward for DCMP and trained at AC Kratos, the player has signed for the Ravens for two seasons plus an additional two months.”

Qualities of TP Mazembe new recruits Mbongo and Belo

The Ravens have since explained why they signed the 19-year-old Belo, describing him as “young, ambitious, and possessing a true goalscoring instinct. His profile perfectly matches the club’s attacking DNA.”

On the other hand, Slimane Raho’s side also lauded the qualities of Mbongo, saying he is a solid, hardworking player.

“He will bolster the Ravens’ midfield with his physical presence, tactical discipline, and ball-winning ability. His arrival reflects the club’s desire to strengthen its midfield with players capable of dictating the tempo and maintaining the team’s balance,” the statement adds.

The Black and White unveiled the new arrivals on the very day they are set to line up against Kinshasa rivals AS Vita Club in a Linafoot Ligue 1 play-off. Kick-off is at 3:00PM CAT.

Le classement annuel de Reporters sans frontières sur l’état de la liberté de la presse dans le monde a été publié le 30 avril. Pour l'ONG, le constat est sombre en 2026 et le continent africain ne fait pas exception. Coup de projecteur sur la Tunisie : le pays perd huit places et occupe la 137ème position sur 180 pays. Une dégradation dans un contexte où plusieurs journalistes sont poursuivis et emprisonnés. Précisions de Lilia Blaise, correspondante de France 24, suivie d’un entretien avec Yassmine Zeghidi, fille du journaliste Mourad Zeghidi en détention depuis plus de 700 jours.