President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has described the rain of blessings from the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to the Super Falcons as an elixir that will motivate and encourage Nigeria’s girl-child to search for greatness through legitimate pathways.

President Tinubu on Monday in Abuja rewarded each of the 24 players of the Women AFCON -winning Super Falcons with a national award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), a three-bedroom apartment and the sum of $100,000.

The good tidings also got to the team’s 11-person technical and administrative crew, who were also given national awards, 3-bedroom apartments and the sum of $50,000 each.

The pronouncements were made during the reception for the African champions at the Presidential Villa, on their arrival from Morocco, where they won the 13th edition of the Women Africa Cup of Nations to make it a record-extending 10th triumph at the continent’s flagship competition for women.

“I am overjoyed because Mr. President has done what no leader before him had done. This is a magnificent day for women’s football and indeed, football generally. This action of Mr. President will serve as a fillip to draw out the girl-child in our country to seek greatness through legitimate ways.

“Football has always been the greatest unifier among our peoples from different various physical and mental divides, and economic backgrounds. With this pronouncement by Mr. President, the girl-child will now see that they can achieve greatness by doing sport and indeed any other noble profession or vocation.”

Monday’s outpouring of goodies for the Super Falcons also included the sum of N10million to each of the players and their 11-person technical and administrative crew by the Governors’ Forum, as well as a financial gesture of N1million to each of the 24 players by six players of the Super Eagles: captain William Ekong, Olaoluwa Aina, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo.

Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo may have replaced the cheating CEO and HR exec as the most famous pair to be captured on the Coldplay kiss cam.

Messi and Roccuzzo attended a Coldplay concert on Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and were shown on the now-notorious kiss cam.

“Well Leo, my beautiful brother. You and your wife are looking so fine,” Coldplay frontman Chris Martin sang as the crowd chanted “Messi! Messi! Messi!”

“Thanks for coming today, to see our band play. The number one sports person of all time.”

Messi and Roccuzzo were happy to be on the kiss cam, unlike another duo who happened to go mega-viral recently.

Prosoccerwire.usatoday.com

The 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil will remain free-to-air in the United Kingdom after the BBC and ITV struck a deal to share broadcasting rights for the tournament.

The agreement ensures that all 64 matches of the tournament – scheduled to be held between June and July 2027 – will be available across the two public service broadcasters. The BBC and ITV will alternate coverage throughout the tournament and will both screen the final on Sunday July 25.

The deal follows a similar arrangement for the 2023 edition, which drew record audiences as England reached the final, only to be narrowly beaten 1-0 by Spain – a result they have since avenged via penalty shootout in yesterday’s Euros final.

The rights to the 2023 tournament in Australia were only agreed at the last minute as FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino demanded rights fees that were more than quadruple previous tournaments less than four months before the final kicked off. Most public broadcasters allocate those kinds of rights acquisitions years in advance. Ultimately an agreement was struck with the European Broadcasting Union, of which the BBC and other European broadcasters are members.

The Women’s World Cup is a ‘protected event’ in the UK, meaning that it has to aired through free-to-air television.

No value has been given for the new broadcast deal.

The BBC will provide live match coverage via BBC One, BBC Two and iPlayer, supplemented by digital content through BBC Sport’s website and social platforms. This includes real-time clips, highlights, analysis, and behind-the-scenes features. The agreement also covers extensive radio broadcasting via BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds.

ITV will show matches across ITV1, ITV4 and its streaming service ITVX. Highlights of every match will be available online and on social media. ITV will also retain rights to all of England’s pre-tournament fixtures, including qualifiers and friendlies.

ITV Director of Sport, Niall Sloane, said: “ITV is proud to play a key role in supporting the tremendous growth of women’s football in the UK. ITV Sport is the home of the Lionesses and it’s vital we ensure tournaments like the Women’s World Cup 2027 remains free-to-air for generations of football fans to enjoy, with support of the game at an all time high.

“ITV’s coverage of the Lionesses victory over Italy in the Women’s Euros 2025 semi-final delivered ITV’s biggest peak audience of the year with 10.2 million people tuning in, highlighting the brilliant support and interest in women’s football. The Women’s World Cup 2027 is sure to be another standout tournament and we look forward to continuing our relationship with both Fifa and the BBC.”

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, added: “BBC Sport has been a longstanding champion of women’s football, helping to elevate the game to where it is today – a sport experiencing unprecedented growth in popularity and reach across BBC Sport platforms. Extending our partnership with Fifa alongside ITV ensures that the drama and spectacle of the Women’s World Cup remains free-to-air, continuing to inspire audiences across the UK, and bring in new fans of the game.”

Insideworldfootball.com