Sport AfricaBriefFootball Checked story Published 1 November 2026 · Updated 1 Nov, 18:21 UTC

Japan 1–0 Ghana: Kurita's goal knocks the Black Maidens out of the U-17 Women's World Cup

Japan beat Ghana 1–0 in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup quarter-final at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, Salé, on Sunday 1 November 2026, per FIFA's own matchday round-up. After a goalless first half, Nanami Kurita scored the only goal in the 54th minute, finishing from close range after a ricocheted Yuka Kishida attempt fell into her path; Fuki Ito was Player of the Match. Japan reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2016, after four straight quarter-final exits, and face DPR Korea. Ghana's Black Maidens are eliminated, denied a first semi-final since 2012, when they won bronze.

Verified Japan beat Ghana 1–0 in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup quarter-final at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, Salé, on Sunday 1 November 2026 (0–0 at half-time), Nanami Kurita scoring in the 54th minute after a ricocheted Yuka Kishida attempt fell into her path; Fuki Ito was Player of the Match.

Key points

Final: Japan 1, Ghana 0 — U-17 Women's World Cup quarter-final, Mohammed VI Football Academy, Salé, Sunday 1 November 2026 (0–0 at half-time) — FIFA's own round-up.
Scorer: Nanami Kurita 54', from a ricocheted Yuka Kishida attempt; Fuki Ito was Player of the Match.
Japan reach a first semi-final since 2016 after four straight quarter-final exits, and face DPR Korea.
Ghana's Black Maidens are eliminated; coach Joe Nana Adarkwa, via FIFA: "We'll be here next year."

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What happened

Ghana's Black Maidens were chasing a first semi-final at this level since 2012, when they took bronze, and held Japan goalless for 54 minutes before Kurita's finish settled a tight quarter-final.

Japan's run is its own story: four straight quarter-final exits had made this round a barrier, and breaking it sets up a semi-final against the holders, DPR Korea, who beat the USA 3–0 in the day's other early quarter-final.

Match facts — all verified

✓ VerifiedJapan beat Ghana 1–0 in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup quarter-final at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, Salé, on Sunday 1 November 2026 (0–0 at half-time), Nanami Kurita scoring in the 54th minute after a ricocheted Yuka Kishida attempt fell into her path; Fuki Ito was Player of the Match.FIFA — Rabat matchday 12 round-up, U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026 (1 Nov 2026)
✓ VerifiedJapan reach the U-17 Women's World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2016, after four straight quarter-final exits, and now face DPR Korea.FIFA — Rabat matchday 12 round-up, U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026 (1 Nov 2026)
✓ VerifiedGhana coach Joe Nana Adarkwa, quoted by FIFA after the elimination: "We did our best… We go back home, work harder and see what happens. We'll be here next year."FIFA — Rabat matchday 12 round-up, U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026 (1 Nov 2026)

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VerifiedWest Ham United confirmed on Tuesday 3 November 2026 that men's first-team head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has left his position with immediate effect. The club said: 'Following a thorough review of the start to the EFL Championship season, the board of directors believe that a change is necessary at this time in order to ensure that the club's objectives and expectations remain on track.'
VerifiedAssistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa have also departed. The process of recruiting a new head coach is already under way; Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville will take temporary charge of squad preparations ahead of Wednesday evening's EFL Championship fixture at Cardiff City, and the club will make no further comment until the appointment of the new head coach is confirmed.
VerifiedNuno replaced Graham Potter at the London Stadium in September 2025 on a three-year contract, oversaw West Ham's relegation from the Premier League last season — they finished 18th — and was kept on in May to lead the promotion bid. This season West Ham sit eighth in the Championship after 13 games, with back-to-back home defeats sealing his departure: 3–2 by Southampton and then 3–1 by West Brom on Saturday, a third home defeat in seven, after a run of two wins in seven games that followed a 6–0 win over Wrexham at the start of September.

3 verified· 0 disputed· 1 not yet verified· 0 corrected

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VerifiedThe National Sports Commission confirmed on Monday 2 November 2026 that the Super Falcons' players have received — and begun receiving — the naira equivalent of President Bola Tinubu's $100,000-per-player reward pledge, with members of the technical crew receiving the equivalent of $50,000 each, completing the cash component of the reward package for the team's 10th WAFCON title.
VerifiedThe pledge was made at a presidential reception for the team at the State House in Abuja on 28 July 2025, two days after the Super Falcons came from 2–0 down to beat hosts Morocco 3–2 in the WAFCON final in Rabat on 26 July 2025, winning a record-extending 10th continental title; the President approved the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each of the 24 players and $50,000 for each member of the technical team.
VerifiedNSC chairman Shehu Dikko said: 'The Super Falcons made Nigeria proud, and Mr President has honoured his commitment to them in full,' adding that some Nigerian sports heroes had endured years of waiting for promised rewards; team captain Rasheedat Ajibade thanked President Tinubu for keeping his word, describing the payment as recognition of the team's achievement.

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VerifiedSL Benfica beat FC Alverca 1–0 at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Monday 2 November 2026 in Liga Portugal Matchday 10 (0–0 at half-time): Vangelis Pavlidis scored the only goal, a penalty, in the 51st minute, and the match ended at 90+5 minutes.
VerifiedAlverca matched Benfica's six shots on target: the team statistics read 61% possession to Benfica and 17 shots to 9 overall, but 6 shots on target each, with Benfica goalkeeper Samuel Soares making six saves and Alverca's Matheus Mendes five.
VerifiedThe breakthrough came six minutes after a half-time change: Claudio Echeverri replaced Andreas Schjelderup at the start of the second half, and Pavlidis's penalty followed in the 51st minute.

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