Author: kayode amuda



Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo has reacted following his team’s elimination from the King Cup of Champions by Al-Ittihad on Tuesday.
The Portugal forward wants Al-Nassr to learn from the defeat and use it to better themselves for the remainder of the current season.
Recall that Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Nassr 2-1 in the King Cup Round of 16 tie.
In a post via his X account, Ronaldo posted an eight-word message for his Al-Nassr, along with a team picture.
The 40-year-old then urged his teammates to stand tall despite the loss to Al-Ittihad.
“We stand tall, learn, and move forward together,” Ronaldo wrote.
Al-Nassr’s next game is against Al Feiha in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday.
Nigerian reality TV star Terseer Kidd Waya aka Kiddwaya has revealed why he will never date a broke woman.
According to him, broke women are entitled.
He stated this while speaking in an episode of Off The Record podcast.
The billionaire’s son said that many of them start off being humble and appreciative but later develop a sense of entitlement once they get used to his lifestyle.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in partnership with hosts Morocco, has officially announced the match venues and schedule for the African qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Intercontinental Playoff tournament.
The high-stakes mini-tournament will take place from 13 to 16 November 2025 in Rabat, Morocco, featuring four African powerhouses: Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
According to CAF, the semi-finals will be played on Thursday, 13 November 2025, at El Barid Stadium and the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex.
A draw scheduled for 30 October 2025 will determine which fixture is assigned to each venue.
The opening semi-final will see Nigeria’s Super Eagles take on Gabon at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT).
This will be followed by the second semi-final between Cameroon and DR Congo at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
The tournament’s final is slated for Sunday, 16 November 2025, at Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium, with kick-off set for 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
Confirmed Fixtures: CAF 2026 Playoff
- Match 1: Nigeria vs Gabon — 17:00
- Match 2: Cameroon vs DR Congo — 20:00
The overall winner will advance to the FIFA Inter-Continental Play-off in March 2026, where they will compete for Africa’s 10th and final slot at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The tournament represents the last h
Former Nigerian international Mikel Obi has asserted that without star striker Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles’ chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup playoffs would be “nonexistent.”
Speaking on the Obi One podcast, Mikel emphasized Osimhen’s crucial role in reviving Nigeria’s World Cup bid. This sentiment follows the decisive final Group C match against Benin, where the Galatasaray star scored a hat-trick in a commanding 4-0 victory, which ultimately sealed the playoff berth for the Super Eagles.
Mikel argued that even against a lesser opponent, the striker’s performance under intense pressure was remarkable.
“If we didn’t win that game, we wouldn’t be talking about trying to qualify for the World Cup. Victor Osimhen has singlehandedly kept us alive. One of the biggest games, he’s come out and scored a hat-trick.”
Mikel underscored Osimhen’s importance by pointing to the team’s record in his absence. He noted that the Super Eagles failed to secure a single win in the matches Osimhen missed, instead recording four draws and one loss. This stark comparison highlights the striker’s profound influence on the team’s results.
Mikel praised the intangible qualities that Osimhen brings to the field: “You can see the intensity, passion, aggressiveness he shows. When the pressure is on, the big boys step up, and that’s exactly what he has done. He’s the big boy in that team right now, and we all needed him.”
Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has criticized Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. for his conduct towards manager Xabi Alonso during last weekend’s El Clásico victory over Barcelona.
Recall that Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham.
However, Vinicius displayed unsportsmanlike behaviour towards Alonso after being substituted in the 72nd minute of the encounter. The Brazilian international expressed his frustration with the Real Madrid manager and left the pitch in a huff, though he later returned to the bench.
Burley, however, was not pleased with Vinicius’ attitude towards Alonso, insisting that the player will never change his behaviour.
“It is difficult as a player because sometimes you just cannot see the bigger picture, which is that Real Madrid needed fresh legs,” Burley told ESPN FC.
“You don’t walk down the tunnel when there is a Clasico still on against your biggest rivals. Yes, he came back out. But Xabi Alonso didn’t look best pleased about his antics and then disappearing down the tunnel.
“This is something he has to work with. I don’t think this player will ever change from this type of behaviour.”