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2026 WCQ: Super Eagles Jet Off To South Africa For Bafana Clash

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have traveled to South Africa for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Bafana Bafana.

The contingent left for South Africa aboard a ValueJet Airline.

22 players made the trip, alongside technical crew members, officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and supporters club members.

Talismanic forward Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of the game due to injury.

Osimhen picked up the injury in the first half of Super Eagles’ 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday.

South Africa and Nigeria will clash in a matchday eight encounter at the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

The highly anticipated encounter will kick-off at 5pm Nigeria time.

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Ronaldo hits 140 international goals as Portugal cruise past Armenia 5-0

Cristiano Ronaldo reached another landmark in his glittering career on Saturday, scoring twice as Portugal thrashed Armenia 5-0 in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The 40-year-old forward netted in both halves to take his tally to 140 international goals and 942 career strikes.

His first came in the 21st minute, diverting home Pedro Neto’s cross, before adding a stunning half-volley from 25 yards just after the restart.

Felix capped the night with a spectacular scorpion flick to seal the win in Lisbon.

It was Portugal’s first outing since the passing of teammate Diogo Jota, and the team delivered a dominant performance in his memory.

Ronaldo, withdrawn shortly after the hour mark, had already ensured the occasion belonged to him with yet another record-setting display.

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2026 WCQs: Arokodare’s strike helps Super Eagles edge Rwanda 1-0

Nigeria’s Super Eagles picked a crucial 1-0 win over Rwanda’s Amavubi in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on Saturday, thanks to Tolu Arokodare.

Arokodare’s lone goal proved decisive, handing Nigeria another three points in Group C and keeping their qualification hopes alive.

Arokodare, starting as a substitute, broke the deadlock in the 50th minute.

The win moves Nigeria to 10 points in seven games, closing the gap on leaders South Africa, who have 16, and Benin Republic with 11. Meanwhile, Rwanda stays on eight.

The Super Eagles will next face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Tuesday, in an away encounter.

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Morocco become first African nation to qualify for 2026 World Cup

Morocco have sealed their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after thrashing Niger 5-0 in their latest qualifier on Friday night.

The result secured qualification with two matches to spare, as the Atlas Lions extended their flawless run to six wins from six in Group E.

Morocco, who made history by reaching the semi-finals at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, become the first African nation to confirm their spot at the expanded tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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Luis Suarez receives six-match ban for spitting incident

Luis Suarez has been handed a six-match suspension for spitting at a Seattle Sounders staff member during Inter Miami’s 3-0 defeat in the Leagues Cup final.

The ban, issued by tournament organizers, applies only to Leagues Cup fixtures and will take effect from the 2026 edition of the competition.

Given the structure of the tournament, Suarez’s punishment could extend across multiple seasons if Inter Miami do not reach the latter stages.

The Leagues Cup consists of a group phase followed by knockout rounds, with a maximum of six matches per team.

Meanwhile, the 38-year-old striker apologized publicly on Thursday for his actions.

Other sanctions were also issued following the post-match altercation.

Inter Miami’s Sergio Busquets received a two-match ban for throwing a punch at Seattle’s Obed Vargas, while teammate Tomas Avilés was given a three-match suspension.

Seattle coach Steven Lenhart was banned for five matches. All four individuals were also fined.

The suspension does not affect Suarez’s participation in Major League Soccer, though reports suggest further disciplinary action could still be considered.

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Man Utd Agree Deal For Andre Onana To Leave Club

Manchester United have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Trabzonspor for a loan move involving Andre Onana.

However, the final decision now lies with the Cameroon goalkeeper.

Onana has only featured in the Carabao Cup second round exit at Grimsby Town this season.

United manager, Ruben Amorim, has so far preferred Altay Bayindir for the club’s Premier League fixtures.

The Red Devils also signed Senne Lammens in an £18 million deal from Royal Antwerp this summer.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, wrote on X: “Trabzonspor reach verbal agreement with Manchester United to sign André Onana on loan.

“Club to club verbal agreement in place and final decision now up to Onana.

“It’s only up to the goalkeeper.”

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Ballon d’Or 2025: Rio Ferdinand Names Two Favourites To Win Award

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has tipped Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal as the leading contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

The Englishman said this while speaking with former Manchester United team-mate Michael Owen on his Rio Ferdinand presents YouTube channel.

Ferdinand also rated Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe ahead of Dembele and Yamal.

“If you consider everyone being at their best, I think Mbappe is that guy,” Ferdinand said.

“Even if we consider the two main contenders for the Ballon d’Or this year in Dembele and Yamal, even if they are at their best, I would still say Mbappe.

“He scored 40 odd goals last season. If Real Madrid won the league last season and got far in the Champions League, he probably gets the Ballon d’Or.”

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LaLiga: Flick Reportedly ‘Locked’ Barcelona Players Inside Dressing Room After Vallecano Draw

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick reportedly locked his players in the dressing room after their 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano last weekend.

The result brought an end to the LaLiga champions’ perfect start to the season.

Barca has thrashed Mallorca 3-0 in their first fixture and edged a 3-2 win over Levante.

However, Flick has not been impressed by his team’s performance this season, and he let them have a piece of his mind after the Vallecano match.

The Athletic reports that Flick locked his players in the dressing room and delivered the same message he gave in his post-match press conference – only in notably stronger terms.

“The most important thing is that, when the transfer window is closed, everyone who stays is 100 per cent committed to this club,” Flick told reporters after the draw.

“No egos, because egos kill success. Last season, we played as one unit. We have to be like this again now.”

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I Might Not Play at 2026 World Cup – Messi

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi has hinted that he may not play in the 2026 World Cup.
According to him, he doesn’t enjoy playing football when he’s not fully fit.
The 38-year-old made this admission after scoring twice in the 3-0 win over Venezuela on Thursday.
It could be the last time that Messi features in a qualifying game on home soil.
 
“As I’ve said before, I don’t think I’ll play another World Cup.
 
“At my age, it’s only logical to think I might not,” Messi told TyC Sports.
According to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, his participation at next year’s World Cup will come down to his fitness.
“Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then have preseason, and in six months, I’ll see how I feel,” he said.
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Yamal Names Two Players He’d Give Ballon d’Or If He Doesn’t Win It

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has revealed that if he couldn’t win the Ballon d’Or himself, he would love to give it to Lionel Messi or Neymar.

The 18-year-old also labelled Messi as the greatest footballer of all-time.

The Spain star added that Neymar deserves to win at least one Ballon d’Or.

“Neymar and Messi. I would give one [Ballon d’Or] to ‘Ney’, I think he deserves it,” Yamal told RTVE (via Barca Universal).

“The ‘Ney’ who was playing for Barca or Paris at the time would definitely win it [Ballon d’Or] now.

“I would’ve liked him [Neymar ] to have won one. And obviously, Messi because he is the best ever.”

Yamal is one of the top candidates that could win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

He will challenge the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, Kylain Mbappe and Mohamed Salah for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

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