What was meant to be a proud moment for African university football turned into a major embarrassment this week, as the Lagos State University (LASU) female football team was disqualified from the 2025 FISU University World Universities Games in China — for failing to meet the minimum squad requirement.

 

As reigning African champions, LASU had earned the honour of representing the continent at the prestigious global tournament. However, upon arrival in China, tournament officials discovered that the team had traveled with only 13 players, three short of the required minimum of 16 for participation.

 

The disqualification meant that Africa had no representative in the women’s category of the competition, a development that has sparked widespread disappointment and questions about the preparation and oversight by the NUGA management and relevant sports authorities.

 

“It’s baffling — how do you go for an international tournament with just 13 players? That’s essentially 11 starters and only two reserves,” said one university sports analyst. “This isn’t a friendly match in Lagos; this is a world championship.”

 

The tournament, which kicked off on schedule, is proceeding without a single African team in the women’s division — a glaring absence that reflects poorly not just on LASU, but on continental sports administration at large.

 

So far, NUGA authorities have yet to issue a formal explanation for the squad shortfall. It remains unclear whether the decision was due to visa issues, financial constraints, administrative error, or a combination of factors.

 

Students, alumni, and sports enthusiasts across Nigeria have taken to social media demanding accountability, with many expressing embarrassment over what they’ve described as a “preventable disaster.”

 

Calls are now mounting for the university and relevant sporting bodies — including the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) and the West African University Sports Federation — to provide transparency on the incident and ensure such lapses are never repeated.

 

“This was a golden opportunity for these girls and for Africa to shine on the global stage,” one fan lamented. “Instead, we’re watching from the sidelines — because we didn’t count properly?”

 

As the tournament continues in China, the LASU team has already returned home — not with medals, but with questions and regrets.