Okeke wins World Sevens bronze

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Nigeria defender Chidinma Okeke helped Club America secure third place at the World Sevens Football Tournament after a narrow 1–0 victory over Flamengo in Fort Lauderdale, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

America edged the Brazilian side in a tight contest decided by a spectacular second-half strike from Jana Gutierrez, sealing the bronze medal and earning the Mexican club $700,000 in prize money.

The World Sevens series, a seven-a-side format featuring eight top teams, is in its second event of 2025 after the inaugural edition in Portugal earlier in the year.

Both sides created early chances, with Camberos going close for America and Glaucia striking the crossbar for Flamengo. Goalkeeper Vivi Holzel denied Montserrat as the first half ended goalless. The deadlock was broken with a moment of individual brilliance when Gutierrez lifted the ball over Flavia Mota before volleying into the net, a finish already being touted as a contender for goal of the tournament.

America pressed for a second and struck the post through Nancy Antonio, while Flamengo threw everything forward in the closing minutes, including switching an outfield player into goal during their final attacks. America held firm to claim a podium finish behind champions San Diego and runners-up Tigres.

Okeke, who plays as a centre-back for America and the Nigeria national team, was part of a disciplined defensive effort that ensured Flamengo were kept at bay.

The 25-year-old has previously played for FC Robo, Madrid CFF, Hapoel Beer Sheva and MyNavi Sendai, and was part of Nigeria’s 2019 World Cup squad.

She also featured at the 2024 Olympic Games but has not returned to the Falcons set-up since a friendly against Algeria in October that year.

The tournament, which offers substantial prize money including $2m for the champions and $1m for the runners-up, is backed by five-year investment and continues to attract global interest as it expands its footprint in the football calendar.

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