The Nigeria national U-17 women’s national team, Flamingos, have successfully arrived in India ahead of the upcoming U-17 FIFA World Women’s Cup that will begin next week.

Flamingos left their camp in Abuja last month on a 10-day camping trip in Turkey, where the team played a doubleheader of unofficial friendly matches against the Fenerbahçe women’s team.

Flamingos defeated Fenerbahçe 3-1 in the first leg of the match but the Turkish giants came back stronger in the reverse fixture to beat the Nigerian ladies by the same scoreline on Wednesday.

The Nigerian contingents departed Turkey yesterday and arrived in India today, where they subsequently settled down at the Grand Hyyat Hotel in Goa.

“Hello India!

“Our sisters, Flamingos have arrived Goa for #U17WWC after a five-hour stopover in Mumbai, India.

“Players and officials have since settled down at Grand Hyyat Hotel.

“Let’s go for glory!,” an update on Super Falcons’ Twitter page read.

Flamingos squad spearheaded by team’s captain Alvine Dah-Zossu and versatile goal poacher Opeyemi Ajakaye are drawn in the Group B alongside Germany, New Zealand and Chile.

Nigeria, who are yet to surpass the quarter final stage will play Germany in their opening game of the group – the competition will run from Tuesday, 11 Oct 2022 – Sunday, 30 Oct 2022.

Arsenal’s impressive form across all competitions continued Thursday night as the Gunners hammered Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt 3-0 in their Group A match at the Emirates Stadium.

Coming into the game, Arsenal had won eight out of its nine matches across all competitions this season with the only blemish coming in a 3-1 loss to Man United in the Premier League.

The possession was almost equally split in the first half of the intense game but Arsenal were the side able to do the scoring.

Eddie Nketiah put Arsenal 1-0 up in the 23rd minute from a Kieran Tierney ball that struck the bar before Rob Holding doubled the lead for the Gunners with a header.

Although Bodø/Glimt were able to hold and control for a relatively long period in the encounter, they were unable to break the Arsenal’s defensive line.

The first half ended Arsenal 2-0 Bodø/Glimt.

It was also a close game in the second half of the game but the visitors’ efforts not to concede any goal again in the match was futile when Fábio Vieira scored in the 84th minute to see the victory for Arsenal.

With the impressive win on Thursday night, the Gunners move to top of Group A with the maximum six points from two matches and a three goals difference despite having one game in hand.

The game between Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven, who thrashed FC Zuric 5-1 in the other Group A game also on Thursday was postponed last month following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Manchester United came from a goal down to defeat Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia 3-2 in their third Group E fixture of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening.

The Red Devils came into the match with a point to prove following the disastrous 6-3 hammering at the hands of their city neighbours and arch rivals in the Premier League on Sunday.

United immediately hit the ground running with Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Anthony making several attempts on goal.

However, the unexpected happened just a minute later when United were punished after the ball was hijacked from Tyrell Malacia and the hosts launched a counterattack which Karim Ansarifard converted to put Nicosia ahead.

With 76 per cent of possession, United were unable to find an equaliser as the first half ended 1-0 in favour of the Cypriot side.

United made some changes in the earlier minutes of the second second half with Luke Shaw coming on for Malacia while Jadon Sancho was substituted for Marcus Rashford.

The shuffle immediately paid off as Rashford curled the ball into the top corner of the post from outside the box to level the game for United.

Just one minute into action, Anthony Martial who came on for Fernandes scored from outside the 18-yard box to put United into the lead for the very first time in the encounter.

Moments later, Diogo Dalot dribbled past the goalkeeper and passed the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo, who was met with an empty goal post but the 37-year-old forward struck against the bar.

Ronaldo set Rashford up to get his brace of the evening to give United a two-goal lead but it wasn’t long when Nikolas Panayiotou pulled one back for Nicosia.

Afterwards, the five-time Ballon D’Or was again close to scoring his first goal in the competition but all were to no avail as the match ended 3-2 in favour of the United to retain their second position in the group with six points.