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Osimhen
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Ndidi Explains Osimhen’s Frustration After Super Eagles’ AFCON Win Over Tanzania

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Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has opened up on Victor Osimhen’s visible frustration following Nigeria’s 2–1 victory over Tanzania in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria secured all three points on Tuesday through goals from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman, but the win came with a tense moment late in the game. Osimhen appeared unhappy after head coach Éric Chelle substituted him for Paul Onuachu, and cameras caught the striker exchanging words with the coach as he walked off the pitch. Speaking after the match, Ndidi played down suggestions of any serious issue, explaining that Osimhen’s reaction was driven by passion and his desire to help the team succeed. “I didn’t really see much of it, but it is what it is,” Ndidi said at the post-match press conference. “Victor is a big player. He always wants to give his best for the team, and maybe he felt frustrated at that moment.” The captain added that such emotions are natural, especially in high-pressure tournaments like AFCON. “We are human beings. Sometimes the game doesn’t go the way you expect, even when you’re trying your best for the team. That’s just who Osimhen is he always wants to be there and make a difference,” Ndidi explained. Ndidi also hinted that he would speak privately with the striker to help ease the pressure he puts on himself. “I think he’s putting too much pressure on himself because he really wants to win. I’ll talk to him. That’s the kind of hunger he has,” he said. As the Super Eagles continue their AFCON campaign, Ndidi’s comments highlight the strong bond within the squad and the importance of managing emotions alongside tactics. With unity and focus, Nigeria will be hoping to build on their opening win and push deeper into the tournament.

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Super Eagles Kick Off AFCON Quest Against Tanzania, Eye Strong Start in Fez

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles begin their campaign for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title today when they take on Tanzania’s Taifa Stars at the Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco. The Eagles arrive at the tournament determined to bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their qualification hopes ended in heartbreak after a dramatic African play-off final loss to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they were edged out 4–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time. Despite that setback, head coach Éric Chelle’s side showed resilience and quality throughout the qualifiers. Nigeria went unbeaten in their group stage matches in 2025, recording four wins and a draw, before thrashing Gabon 4–1 in the continental play-off semi-finals. The narrow defeat to DR Congo, however, denied them a place at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament and a second straight World Cup appearance. Now turning their focus fully to AFCON, Nigeria will look to reassert their status as one of Africa’s football powerhouses. With a squad packed with Europe-based stars, the Super Eagles are eager to add to their three previous AFCON titles, even as they trail Egypt (seven titles), Cameroon (five) and Ghana (four) in the competition’s rich history. Speaking ahead of the match, Chelle admitted he is well aware of the high expectations from Nigerian fans, who demand victories in every outing. A convincing win and a clean sheet  against Tanzania would be the ideal way to set the tone. The Taifa Stars, coached by Miguel Gamondi, are making just their fourth AFCON appearance. Their previous outings in 1980, 2019 and 2023 all ended at the group stage, and they are still chasing their first-ever win at the tournament, having recorded three draws and six losses so far. All eyes will be on Nigeria’s attacking spearhead, Victor Osimhen. The 26-year-old striker is in blistering form after finishing the 2024/25 season as top scorer in the Turkish Süper Lig. He has already scored six goals in 12 league games this season and has been directly involved in six goals across his last four appearances for Nigeria. With that kind of momentum, Osimhen is widely tipped as a strong contender for the Golden Boot as the Super Eagles launch their AFCON journey.

Wayne Rooney
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Wayne Rooney Tips Declan Rice as England’s Next Captain

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Former England striker Wayne Rooney has backed Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice as a future captain of the Three Lions, hailing the 26-year-old’s leadership qualities and all-round performance. Rooney’s comments came after he watched Rice play a key role in Arsenal’s hard-earned 1–0 Premier League win over Everton on Saturday evening, a result that took the Gunners back to the top of the table. The former England captain was in the stands at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and was full of praise for Rice’s influence on the game. Rice, who has already earned 72 caps for England, has captained the national team twice in the absence of Harry Kane during a 2–2 draw against Belgium in March 2024 and a 3–0 victory over Wales in October. Speaking on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney suggested Rice is the natural successor to Kane whenever the current skipper steps aside. “For me, he’s the one who’s probably waiting for Harry to hang up his boots at some point,” Rooney said. “He was all over the pitch against Everton. His decision-making when to pass, where to pass, what foot to use the detail in his game was a pleasure to watch. He was absolutely incredible.” Rooney highlighted Rice’s versatility and intelligence, noting how seamlessly he shifted roles during the match. “He was splitting centre-backs, dropping in to take the ball, acting like a third centre-back, and the next minute he’s in the box trying to score. Some of the things he does are underrated,” he added. The former Manchester United star also praised Rice’s character, insisting his personality and drive make him the ideal leader for England. “He’s the right one to take over because of his drive and his personality. Everyone who knows him seems to love him. For England, he’s irreplaceable,” Rooney concluded.

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“It’s Our Dream”: Tanzania Coach Backs Taifa Stars to Shock Nigeria at AFCON 2025

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Tanzania head coach Miguel Gamondi believes his side can finally make history by recording their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations victory when they take on Nigeria at AFCON 2025 in Morocco on Tuesday. The Taifa Stars have yet to taste victory at the continental tournament, having appeared in three previous editions 1980, 2019 and 2023 without a win. Their Group C opener against the Super Eagles at the Complexe Sportif de Fès will be Tanzania’s 10th AFCON match and another chance to end that long wait. Tuesday’s encounter will also be only the second AFCON meeting between both nations, coming 45 years after their first clash. Back in 1980, on home soil, Nigeria opened their campaign with a 3–1 win over Tanzania. The teams last faced each other during the qualifiers for the 2017 AFCON. Tanzania held Nigeria to a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam before the Super Eagles edged the return leg 1–0 in Uyo in September 2016. Despite acknowledging Nigeria’s pedigree and status as favourites, Gamondi insists his players have no intention of rolling over. “It’s our dream, and nobody can stop us from believing,” the Argentine coach said during his pre-match press conference. “If you don’t have a dream, there’s no reason to sleep too much. I respect Nigeria a lot, but in football, anything is possible. We are here to put up a good performance.” Tanzania will face Uganda on Friday before wrapping up their Group C fixtures against Tunisia next Tuesday. The Taifa Stars first appeared at AFCON in 1980 in Nigeria, where they lost all three group matches to Nigeria, Egypt and Ivory Coast. They returned in 2019 under former Super Eagles winger Emmanuel Amuneke after a 39-year absence, but again exited without a win following defeats to Senegal, Kenya and Algeria. At the 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast, however, Tanzania showed encouraging signs of progress. After losing their opener to hosts Morocco, they held Zambia and DR Congo to draws results that have strengthened belief within the camp as they prepare for another shot at history in Morocco.

Davido
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AFCON 2025 Kicks Off in Style as Davido, French Montana Light Up Opening Ceremony

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The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 officially gets underway on Sunday night with a colourful opening ceremony at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, setting the stage for a month-long celebration of African football and culture. The ceremony, scheduled for 6:00 pm WAT, drew major excitement after Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido shared a video of himself and his team arriving at the stadium ahead of his performance. His post quickly went viral, with fans across the continent eagerly anticipating the show. Earlier, the singer had announced, “Performing at the opening ceremony for AFCON! 6:30 PM WAT.” Davido thrilled the crowd with a performance alongside international star French Montana. They were joined on stage by other artistes, including Douaa Lahyaoui, Lartiste and Says’z, adding diverse musical flavours to the night. Adding to the spectacle, music legends Angélique Kidjo, Jaylann and L’Artiste were scheduled to unveil the official AFCON 2025 anthem a song designed to capture the spirit of unity, pride and shared identity across Africa. AFCON 2025, the 35th edition of the continent’s premier football tournament, will run until January 18, 2026. A total of 24 national teams will compete across six host cities in Morocco. Organisers say this year’s tournament is not just about football, but also about showcasing Africa’s rich cultural heritage and creative talent both on and off the pitch.

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Landmark African Football Shake-Up: AFCON Switches to Four-Year Cycle in 2028, New Annual Nations League Announced

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Landmark African Football Shake-Up: AFCON Switches to Four-Year Cycle in 2028, New Annual Nations League Announced In a game-changing revamp of the continent’s football calendar, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has confirmed the beloved Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will end its 55-year biennial tradition to become a four-yearly showpiece starting in 2028. To keep fans hooked on top-tier national team action year-round, Motsepe also unveiled a new annual African Nations League set to launch in 2029. Since 1968, AFCON has been a twice-a-decade highlight for football-crazy communities across Africa with only a one-off one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions. Under the new plan, the 2027 tournament (hosted by East Africa) will be followed by a standalone 2028 AFCON, after which the competition will shift to a four-year cycle, aligning it with global heavyweights like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro. Motsepe framed the shift as a necessary step to prioritize Africa’s place in the global football ecosystem, addressing a long-simmering pain point for players, clubs, and fans alike. For years, the biennial AFCON has sparked tensions between national federations and European club sides, who lose key African players for weeks mid-season leading to player fatigue, disrupted club campaigns, and frustration for supporters on both continents. “We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said. “I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.” To ensure fans don’t face a four-year drought between high-stakes international football, the new African Nations League will fill the gap starting in 2029. The annual competition promises consistent, competitive matches across the continent, giving emerging players a platform to shine and keeping the passion for African national team football alive year-round. The overhaul marks the most significant shake-up of African football’s schedule in decades, with Motsepe positioning the changes as a way to elevate the sport’s global profile while honoring the needs of the fans, players, and clubs that make African football thrive.

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Nigeria Dominates Weightlifting on Day One at African Youth Games, Wins Eight Gold Medals

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Team Nigeria got off to a flying start in the weightlifting event at the ongoing 4th African Youth Games in Angola, sweeping eight gold medals and one silver on the opening day of competition on Thursday. Favour Cornelius set the tone in the 44kg category with a brilliant all-round performance, clinching three gold medals. She lifted 50kg in the snatch, followed it up with 64kg in the clean and jerk, and finished with a total lift of 114kg to comfortably top her class. In the 48kg category, Esther Chidalu Ezenwa continued Nigeria’s dominance with another clean sweep of gold medals. She powered through 63kg in the snatch and 77kg in the clean and jerk, recording a combined total of 140kg to take all three gold medals on offer. The golden run continued in the 53kg division, where Chinaza Cecelia Ezenwa delivered an impressive performance, winning two gold medals and one silver. She claimed silver in the snatch with a lift of 65kg, before bouncing back strongly to secure gold in the clean and jerk with 83kg and gold in the total with an overall lift of 148kg. By the end of Day One, Nigeria had amassed eight gold medals and one silver in weightlifting, underlining its strength in the sport and laying down an early marker for the rest of the Games.

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World Cup 2026: Nigeria’s Hopes Reignite as NFF Petitions FIFA Over DR Congo Eligibility Scandal

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially initiated a formal probe into DR Congo’s use of ineligible players during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a move that could dramatically reinstate the Super Eagles’ path to the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The development comes after DR Congo eliminated Nigeria in a tense 4–3 penalty shoot-out in Morocco last November, ending Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the intercontinental play-offs. DR Congo has since been handed a bye to the final of that play-off tournament, where they are set to face the winner of the tie between New Caledonia and Jamaica. However, the Congolese participation is now in serious jeopardy following reports that between six and nine players who switched allegiance to DR Congo failed to meet the country’s strict nationality laws. The “Dual Citizenship” Loophole According to investigations by PunchOnline,  while FIFA cleared the players based on valid DR Congo passports, they allegedly failed to formally renounce their previous citizenships. The Congolese constitution strictly prohibits dual nationality, meaning naturalized players must legally sever ties with their country of birth before representing the Leopards. “NFF has done the needful,” a member of the Federation’s executive board confirmed. “Their constitution does not allow dual citizenship, and about six to nine players had that status during the play-off. That is the loophole we are exploring. Our lawyers must have submitted the relevant documents to FIFA as well.” NFF Alleges Deception NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed the Federation has faulted the switches, arguing that FIFA was misled. He specifically cited players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka (European passport) and others holding French and Dutch documents. “We’re waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship or nationality,” Sanusi said. “FIFA rules say once you have a passport of your country, you’re eligible, and that is why they were cleared. But our concern is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. It is not FIFA’s responsibility to enforce Congo’s domestic regulations; FIFA acts based on what is submitted to it. What we are saying is that the process was fraudulent.” A Lifeline for the Eagles The petition has handed Nigeria a massive boost, offering a potential reprieve after the heartbreaking play-off loss. The country had been facing the prospect of missing back-to-back World Cups, having also failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar. If FIFA upholds the NFF’s protest, Nigeria could be reinstated in DR Congo’s place, reopening the door to a first World Cup appearance since 2018.

Osimhen
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Osimhen, Lookman, Bassey Headline 2025 Nigeria Pitch Awards Shortlist

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The organisers of the annual Nigeria Pitch Awards have officially unveiled the nominees for the 2025 edition, with Super Eagles trio Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Calvin Bassey headlining the shortlist for the coveted ‘King of the Pitch’ (Men) award. The nominees were announced at a stakeholder luncheon held at the Johnwood Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday, an event attended by prominent football administrators, sports editors, partners, and members of the College of Voters The Men’s Top Prize Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen is the man to beat, vying for the award for the third consecutive year and fourth time overall. The former African Footballer of the Year previously claimed the title in 2022 and has won the last two editions. He faces stiff competition from Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, who is seeking his second win after securing the award in 2023. Fulham left-back Calvin Bassey rounds out the trio, hoping to secure a debut victory following an impressive campaign for both club and country. Queen of the Pitch In the women’s category, the ‘Queen of the Pitch’ award features a strong Super Falcons contingent. Paris Saint-Germain’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Esther Okoronkwo have all been recognised for their outstanding performances over the past year with their national team and respective clubs. Positional Awards Several other key categories saw fierce competition announced: Goalkeeper of the Year: Udinese’s Maduka Okoye faces competition from Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali and Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole. Defender of the Year: Genk’s Benjamin Fredrick, Fulham’s Calvin Bassey, and Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina are in contention. Midfielder of the Year: The shortlist includes Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, and Raphael Onyedika. Striker of the Year: Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Yusuf Anas will battle for the honours.

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Ousmane Dembélé Crowned FIFA Best Men’s Player of 2025

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Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named FIFA Best Men’s Player of 2025, capping off a remarkable year at both club and individual level. The 28-year-old French international enjoyed a standout season with PSG, helping the club secure a historic treble of the Ligue 1 title, the UEFA Champions League, and the Coupe de France. He also played a key role in PSG’s run to the final of the Club World Cup. Dembélé’s outstanding performances earned him his first-ever Ballon d’Or, widely regarded as football’s most prestigious individual honour. FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced the award, inviting the winger onto the stage to receive the accolade. The voting covered performances between August 11, 2024, and August 2, 2025, a period in which Dembélé delivered eye-catching numbers scoring 35 goals and providing 14 assists for PSG across all competitions. While his club season was hugely successful, Dembélé fell short of silverware with France at the international level, as Les Bleus were knocked out by Spain in the semi-finals of the Nations League. PSG are currently in Qatar, where they are set to face Brazilian giants Flamengo in the inaugural Intercontinental Cup final, with Dembélé expected to play a leading role once again.

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