Temitope Adeshina has delivered one of the most historic performances of Team Nigeria’s campaign at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

She won bronze in the women’s high jump to end a 72-year wait for a Nigerian medal in the event.

Kola Daniel, Special Adviser on Media to the Office of the Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC) Bukola Olopade in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, disclosed that she came behind Australia’s Eleanor Patterson and Nicola Olyslagers.

“Adeshina cleared 1.90 metres to secure third place behind Australia’s Eleanor Patterson and Nicola Olyslagers, becoming the first Nigerian high jumper to stand on a Commonwealth Games podium.

“This was after Emmanuel Ifeajuna won gold at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver.

“Her achievement also made her the first Nigerian woman ever, to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the high jump, adding a new chapter to Nigeria’s rich athletics history,” he said.

Daniel noted that the bronze medal by Adeshina represented a remarkable rise for the Nigerian star, who finished 10th on her Commonwealth Games debut four years ago.

“Her return to the games was marked by composure, consistency and determination, as she successfully navigated the competition to claim a place on the podium against a world-class field.

“Adeshina’s medal carries significance far beyond the podium. Before her performance in Glasgow, only two Nigerians had ever won Commonwealth Games medals in the high jump,” he said. (NAN).

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr, but the Brazilian is reportedly set to stay at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has intervened and Arsenal target Vinicius Junior will not leave the club, according to reports that the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager is keen to keep the Brazilian in the Spanish capital, scuppering Mikel Arteta’s hopes of a landmark signing.

The forward is into the last 12 months of his deal at the Bernabeu and uncertainty had been cast over his future at Madrid with the prospect of losing him on a free transfer. However, Mourinho has stepped in and Los Blancos will reportedly not sanction a sale while there is confidence that he will sign a new deal with the club.

The Gunners had shown a genuine willingness to fund a move for the 26 year old after identifying the winger as a considerable upgrade on their current options, according to football.london.

Arteta’s side had been assessing the feasibility of pushing through a deal, with the Premier League-winning manager giving his blessing for the transfer to go ahead.

Arsenal had been on high alert regarding the prospect of snapping up Vinicius, with the two-time Champions League winner entering the final 12 months of his contract at the Bernabeu.

However, the Gunners will now be forced back to the drawing board, with Mourinho determined to keep his prized assets available as he prepares for his first season back at the helm.

It is understood that Vinicius and the Spanish giants are poised to enter fresh discussions, with the Brazilian international fully expected to put pen to paper on a new long-term contract.

Club president Florentino Perez is reportedly central to the negotiations and has made no secret of his determination for the forward to stay. Real Madrid head into the upcoming season aiming to topple rivals Barcelona from the top spot, after Hansi Flick’s side cruised to La Liga glory with relative ease.

Super Falcons’ Christy Ucheibe has explained the reason behind Nigeria’s loss to Malawi in the opening game of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons suffered a stunning 3-2 loss to Malawi in their opening match on Tuesday. The ten-time African champions were heavily favoured to secure a comfortable victory against their Malawian opponents.

However, a scoreless first half hinted that the match would not go according to plan. The game exploded into life after the break, with Malawi’s Scorchers racing to a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga.

Nigeria fought back late, with Rasheedat Ajibade scoring in the second minute of stoppage time to halve the deficit.

But Temwa Chawinga quickly restored Malawi’s two-goal advantage, making Uchenna Kanu’s subsequent goal in the ninth minute of added time a mere consolation.

Following the match, Benfica midfielder Christy Ucheibe, who was an unused substitute, shared her thoughts on the unexpected defeat.

While expressing her disappointment, she attributed the result to the unpredictable nature of football and the growing competitiveness of the women’s game in Africa.

Ucheibe assured fans that the team would deliver a much-improved performance in their next fixture against Zambia.

“I’m going to say it’s football. Nothing went wrong; both teams played very well, and that’s just football for you. You lose, you win, or you draw,” Ucheibe said.

“But either way, you bounce back. In the next game against Zambia, we will try our best to get through this phase so we can qualify for the World Cup and defend our title.”

The Nigerian players and staff held a brief huddle on the pitch after the final whistle, and Ucheibe revealed the core message was one of encouragement.