Tijjani Reijnders saved AC Milan’s skin in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Serie A upstarts Como, who gave Dele Alli his debut from the bench only for the former England international to be sent off moments later.

Netherlands midfielder Reijnders struck in the 76th minute after a brilliant Tammy Abraham pass as Milan came from behind to placate angry home fans and move up to seventh in Italy’s top flight.

Sergio Conceicao’s side are three points from the European places in large thanks to Reijnders who also slipped in Christian Pulisic to level the scores seven minutes after the break.

The 26-year-old also hit the bar shortly before rolling home his 13th goal of the season in all competitions, and also went close to netting again with five minutes remaining.

His performance saved his teammates from a severe barracking at the end of the match as they were loudly booed and whistled off the pitch at half-time with Milan trailing to Lucas Da Cunha’s 33rd-minute strike.

Regardless supporters continued to demand that owners, US investment firm RedBird, sell the club as they have at all recent matches.

Defeat was harsh on Como who performed well on one of football’s biggest stages and stay safely nestled in 13th place, seven points above the relegation zone.

The evening ended in the worst possible way for the lakeside club when late substitute Dele, who is trying to revive his career after a troubled few years since leaving Tottenham Hotspur, was shown a straight red card in the final minute for a rash challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Coach Cesc Fabregas also saw red for dissent shortly afterwards as Como make the short trip back from Milan with nothing from another creditable display against more illustrious opposition.

Nigeria rallied to a 5-1 aggregate win over South Africa in the penultimate round of the qualifying series for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, to reach the final round slated for next month.

Two-goal heroine in the first leg, Harmony Chidi coolly nodded home from an acute angle in the 37th minute, to compound the fixture for the visitors who lost the first leg at home 1-3.

Shakirat Moshood, who scored a goal in the first leg, was the provider from a well-taken free kick on the right. She turned provider again 11 minutes into the second half, when she found Aishat Animashaun, who lifted the ball over and above Samekelise Mthembu into the net for Nigeria’s second.

Zoe October, Thoriso Mphelo, Khmezi Khoza and captain Katleho Malebana impressed in the ranks of the Bantwana, but they could not find a way through the Nigerian defenceline of Hannah Ibrahim, Jumai Adebayo, Philomena Isaiah and Favour Iheagwam.

Victory sprang the Flamingos to the final round of the qualifying race, where they face the winner of the fixture between Botswana and Algeria next month.

Federation of international Female Lawyers Abuja, Team FIDA emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 Fame International Women’s Day (IWD) football tournament, held in Abuja.

They triumphed over Team FAME with a narrow 1-0 victory.

The event, organized by Fame Foundation, was part of the celebrations marking this year’s International Women’s Day, focusing on women’s empowerment, teamwork, and inclusivity through sports.

The tournament featured eight teams: Team FIDA, Team FAME, Team NUT (Nigeria Union of Teachers), Team ASWHAN, Team Bet9ja, Team IDP, Team FIRS, and Team ProSocial.

Team FIDA played against three different teams on their way to securing the top spot, while Team FAME Foundation took second place.

The third position was claimed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) after a thrilling penalty shootout win over Team Bet9ja.

In her remarks, Aderonke Ogunkeye-Bello, the Founder of Fame Foundation, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to building a strong force among women groups to contribute to national development.

The tournament was officially opened by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), with several dignitaries from various organizations in attendance.