Morocco knocked the Netherlands out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday, winning a dramatic penalty shootout 3-2 after both sides battled to a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time at the Estadio Monterrey.

Ismael Saibari converted the decisive spot-kick, sending the Atlas Lions through to a Round of 16 clash against co-hosts Canada in Houston on July 4.

The contest started cagily, with neither side finding a breakthrough in a physical first half. Morocco grew into the game after the break and looked the more threatening side, with Achraf Hakimi striking the crossbar after a clever through ball had put him clean through on goal.

The Netherlands then struck against the run of play. A goal-kick found substitute Wout Weghorst, whose flick-on released Crysencio Summerville down the left. Summerville drew the last defender before squaring the ball to Cody Gakpo, who finished calmly in the 72nd minute.

Gakpo’s goal carried emotional weight beyond the scoreline. The Liverpool forward broke down in tears after scoring, days after he and his partner, Noa van der Bij, announced the loss of their unborn child. His teammates rushed to console him in an emotional celebration on the pitch.

Morocco refused to fold. Issa Diop rose highest at a corner in the first minute of stoppage time to head in the equaliser, scoring his first international goal and forcing the match into extra time.

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The additional 30 minutes produced few clear chances. Substitute Soufiane Rahimi came closest to settling the tie for Morocco, but Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen produced a sharp save at point-blank range to keep the score level and send the match to penalties.

The shootout swung back and forth. Neil El Aynaoui’s opening effort for Morocco crashed off the crossbar, but Justin Kluivert immediately missed for the Netherlands as well, striking the post. Quinten Timber also failed to convert for the Dutch, sending his effort wide.

Hakimi missed his second chance of the night, hitting the post from the spot, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou denied Summerville with a strong save to keep Morocco’s hopes alive. Saibari then stepped up and rolled his penalty low into the bottom corner to send Morocco through, prompting wild celebrations among the team’s technical staff and supporters.

The defeat marks a historic low for the Netherlands, who failed to reach the Round of 16 for the first time in a World Cup they qualified for. Coach Ronald Koeman’s side will now have to wait until 2030 to continue their long search for a first World Cup title.

For Morocco, the win extends a remarkable run that began with their fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Bounou, born in Canada, will now return to face his country of birth in the next round, a fixture that already carries significant symbolic weight.

FIFA’s expanded Round of 32 format has produced shock results in its debut tournament, with Germany’s elimination by Paraguay and now the Netherlands’ exit on penalties standing out as major upsets.

Morocco’s clash with Canada in Houston on July 4 will test whether the Atlas Lions can carry their momentum into a hostile atmosphere against one of the tournament’s co-hosts, as the team chases a deeper run than their historic 2022 semi-final appearance.

The Progressive Young Lawyers Network (PYLN) has formally endorsed Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, as its preferred candidate for the position of President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

In a statement issued on Monday by its Spokesperson, Uthman Isa Tochukwu, Esq, the group said its decision followed a careful assessment of the various aspirants and their visions for the Bar. The endorsement highlights Badejo-Okusanya’s track record of professional excellence, visionary leadership, and sustained commitment to the development of young lawyers.

“Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout her career,” the statement read. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Senior Partner at ALP NG & Co., she also serves as a Board Member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration and chaired the NBA 2024 Annual General Conference Planning Committee.

The PYLN praised her consistent support for young practitioners, citing her participation in key events including the NBA Ikeja Branch Young Lawyers’ Forum Legal Summit on May 22, 2026, the NBA Degema Branch Young Lawyers’ Forum Annual Symposium themed “The Legal Profession: Thriving Beyond Survival,” and the Lagos Hangout 2026. According to the group, these engagements underscore her dedication to mentorship, ethical practice, innovation, and leadership within the profession.

The statement further noted Badejo-Okusanya’s advocacy for gender inclusion and justice sector reform. As an active member of FIDA Nigeria, she has championed access to justice, women’s leadership, and the integration of technology in legal practice.

“At a time when the Nigerian Bar Association requires transformational leadership, institutional strength, and a clear vision for the future, we are confident that Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya possesses the experience, competence, courage, and capacity to lead the Association into a new era of progress,” the Spokesman for the group, Tochukwu declared.

The group called on lawyers across the country, particularly young practitioners, to rally behind Badejo-Okusanya, describing her as a candidate whose career embodies “excellence, accessibility, innovation, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of the legal profession.”

The endorsement adds momentum to the ongoing campaigns ahead of the NBA national elections.

Uthman Isa Tochukwu, Esq.
Abuja based Legal Practitioner and Spokesperson for the PYLN.

The Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) Sports Complex in Lagos is set to host the Dynamic Athletics Meet this August, drawing athletes from across West Africa.

The competition, which has steadily grown in profile, will feature participants from Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria. Organisers say the meet provides a crucial platform for athletes to close their season with strong performances, personal bests, and improved world rankings.

Dynamic Athletics founder and meet organiser, Olabanji Ayegbusi, confirmed the event in a statement. He noted that the meet has consistently delivered high-quality performances, including world-leading marks and meeting records.

Ayegbusi emphasised that the championship is more than a competition, describing it as a collective effort by the athletics community. “The Dynamic Athletics Meet belongs to everyone—athletes, coaches, former athletes, media practitioners, board members, technical officials, and track and field philanthropists. We all have a role to play in making it bigger and better,” he said.

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He appealed for greater technical and financial support from stakeholders to ensure the successful staging of the event. According to him, the meet expands opportunities for athletes while showcasing both established and emerging talents.

The Yabatech Sports Complex, which recently hosted successful national trials, is expected to provide a fitting venue for the sub-regional contest. Its facilities have been praised for meeting international standards, making it a preferred choice for athletics events in Nigeria.

Ayegbusi also called on the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to back the initiative. He stressed that their involvement would strengthen the meet’s credibility and help sustain its growth.

Athletes across the region are already preparing for the competition, with many viewing it as a final chance to secure rankings before the season ends. Coaches and sports analysts believe the meet will further boost Nigeria’s reputation as a hub for athletics in West Africa.

The Dynamic Athletics Meet has become a fixture in the athletics calendar, attracting attention for its competitive atmosphere and record-breaking performances. Its organisers hope that with stronger institutional support, it can evolve into one of the continent’s premier athletics events.

For Nigeria, hosting the meet offers an opportunity to showcase its organisational capacity and reinforce its leadership in regional sports development. With Lagos as the backdrop, the event is expected to draw significant interest from fans, media, and scouts.

As preparations continue, expectations are high that the Yabatech Sports Complex will once again deliver a memorable athletics experience, cementing its place as a leading venue for track and field in Nigeria.