Nigeria's under-17 women's team, the Flamingos, are into the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco.

The match

The Flamingos beat Venezuela 1-0 in the quarter-final on Sunday, 1 November 2026, at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé. Captain Azeezat Oduntan scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 89th minute after Oluebube Umejiaku was fouled in the box, a decision confirmed by a VAR review.

What comes next

Nigeria will face Brazil in the semi-final on Wednesday, 4 November, at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. They are the only African side left in the competition after Ghana lost 1-0 to Japan in their quarter-final.

Reactions

The Confederation of African Football congratulated the team on social media, celebrating their place in the last four. Nigerian fans also shared videos of the players dancing and celebrating after earlier victories in the tournament.

Background

Nigeria has a strong record in women's youth football and has reached the later stages of age-group World Cups several times. The senior team, the Super Falcons, are the most successful side in African women's football and won another Women's Africa Cup of Nations title this year. The Flamingos' run has raised hopes of Nigeria's first-ever U-17 women's world title.

Arsenal have moved to the top of the Premier League after ending a long wait for a league win at Anfield.

The match

Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the 16th minute on Sunday, 1 November 2026, turning in a cross from Declan Rice at the back post. Liverpool controlled long spells of the game and pushed hard for an equaliser, with two penalty appeals turned down and Florian Wirtz hitting the crossbar from a free-kick. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya denied Alexander Isak, while at the other end Alisson made a late save to stop substitute Christos Tzolis from doubling the lead.

The table

The result takes Arsenal to 24 points, three ahead of Manchester City, who reportedly lost to Brighton on the same day. It was Arsenal's first league win at Anfield in 14 years, ending a run of 13 league visits without victory.

What Arteta said

Manager Mikel Arteta told the BBC that the win was for everyone connected to the club and that 14 years without a victory at Anfield was a long time. He praised his players' performance but said it was too early to talk about the title race, adding that the team would now prepare for a big European match in Prague.

Why it matters

Arsenal have finished as runners-up in recent seasons and are hoping to win their first league title since 2004. The win at one of the hardest grounds in English football will boost their belief, while Liverpool will be disappointed not to have taken anything from a game they dominated for long periods.

President Bola Tinubu has wrapped up his visit to Saudi Arabia, saying he and members of his delegation were granted the rare privilege of entering the Holy Kaaba in Mecca to pray during their Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage.

What the President said

In a statement on his official social media account on Monday, 2 November 2026, Tinubu thanked King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the invitation and for their hospitality. He said that inside the Kaaba he prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for Nigeria and all Nigerians, and described the gesture as a sign of the long-standing bonds of faith and friendship between the two countries.

In a further statement released through his adviser Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said he had asked God for wisdom and resilience to keep serving the people. Referring to a verse of the Quran, he said all power belongs to God, who can give leadership to anyone and take it away, and described being chosen as president out of about 200 million people as a great favour.

Why it matters

The Kaaba, inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, is Islam's most sacred site. Entry into the structure itself is rarely allowed and is usually granted only to heads of state and other dignitaries invited by the Saudi royal family.

How people reacted

Supporters praised the President and prayed for him to lead well. Critics questioned the timing of the trip so close to the 2027 elections. Former senator Dino Melaye, an opposition figure, challenged Tinubu on X to a Quran recitation contest when he returns. Last week, Oyo governor and APM presidential candidate Seyi Makinde asked the Presidency to be more open about the purpose of the trip, while activist Omoyele Sowore claimed it was for medical treatment. The Presidency rejected that claim, saying the President travelled for Umrah, as he did twice in 2022.

What happens next

The President is expected back in Abuja in the coming days as campaigning for the January 2027 elections intensifies.

The Namibian music industry is in mourning after Afrobeats singer Nally Simson, widely known as Nally, died in a road accident on Sunday, 1 November 2026. He was 33.

What happened

Nally was one of seven people killed in a head-on collision between a pickup truck and an SUV at the Elim Curve on the Okahao-Oshakati main road in the north of the country. The regional police commander for Omusati, Commissioner Ismael Basson, said the crash happened at about 4am, and that six occupants of one vehicle and the driver of the SUV died at the scene. Police have not given further details about the cause.

Family statement

The singer's brother, Benjamin Simson, confirmed his death and asked for privacy as the family grieves.

His last post

A day before his death, on Saturday, 31 October, Nally shared a clip of his latest song, 'Untouchable', on Instagram. In the song he addresses critics, saying their words have no power over him. Fans who returned to the post after the news broke filled the comments with tributes, saying the lyrics now felt very emotional. A separate video in which a fan appeared to predict tragedy for him hours before the crash also spread online, drawing shocked reactions.

Background

Nally was one of Namibia's best-known Afrobeats artists and had built a following across southern Africa. Fellow musicians, fans and public figures in Namibia have paid tribute to him on social media.

What happens next

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.