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2026 WCQ: Chelle Releases Final Super Eagles 23-Man List For Rwanda, S/Africa Showdown

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled his final 23-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa scheduled for next month.

While there are the regulars included, there are also notable omissions.

The likes of Bayer Leverkusen duo Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella have been left out. Also Sadiq Umar of Real Sociedad would not be playing any part.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali makes the final cut, just as defenders Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze and Cyriel Dessers.

The selected 23 include:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).

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BREAKING: Champions League Draw For 2025/2026 Season Confirmed (Full Fixtures)

The draw for the league phase of the 2025/2026 Champions League was conducted on Thursday.

This year, the competition will continue to use the ‘Swiss-style’ league phase rather than the group stage to which fans had become accustomed.

That means that 36 teams will again take part in the competition.

Then the top eight sides will then qualify automatically for the knockout stages, while the teams that finish in ninth to 24th place will be drawn in a two-legged play-off to secure a place in the last 16 of the competition.

Teams ranked 25-36 are eliminated from all competitions.

Here are some of the fixtures:

Bayern Munich will face Chelsea (H), PSG (A), Club Brugge (H), Arsenal (A), Sporting CP (H), PSV (A), Union SG (H), Pafos (A)

Chelsea will play Barcelona (H), Bayern Munich (A), Benfica (H), Atalanta (A), Ajax (H), Napoli (A), Pafos (H), Qarabag (A)

Real Madrid take on Manchester City (H), Liverpool (A), Juventus (H), Benfica (A), Marseille (H), Olympiacos (A), Monaco (H), Kairat Almaty (A)

Inter Milan have been drawn against Liverpool (H), Dortmund (A), Arsenal (H), Atletico Madrid (A), Salavia Praha (H), Ajax (A), Kairat Almaty, Union SG

Borussia Dortmund will face Inter Milan (H), Manchester City, Villarreal, Juventus, Bodo/Glimt, Tottenham, Athletic Club, Copenhagen (A)

Liverpool play Real Madrid (H), Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Frankfurt, PSV, Marseille, Qarabag, Galatasaray (A)

Barcelona take on PSG (H), Chelsea, Frankfurt, Club Brugge, Olympiacos, Slavia Praha, Copenhage, Newcastle (A).

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Carabao Cup: Why I Didn’t Watch Man Utd Penalties Against Grimsby Town – Amorim Opens Up

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has explained why he chose not to watch the team’s penalty shootout against Grimsby Town on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils were eliminated from the Carabao Cup second round by the League Two side.

After 90 minutes, the scores were level at 2-2, after Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire scored in the second half to equalize for Amorim’s men.

A marathon shootout eventually saw the Mariners advance to the third round.

Overall, 26 penalties were taken over the course of a shootout, but Amorim appeared to have little interest in watching.

When asked about his apparent lack of interest, Amorim said: “The penalty shootout is not important.

“If I’m there trying to see if we win the game… it doesn’t matter.

“The signs, the beginning of the game, during the game, that is what matters.”

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Grimsby Town pull major Carabao Cup upset, stun Manchester United 12-11 on penalties

Manchester United crashed out of the Carabao Cup in a stunning fashion, suffering a penalty shootout defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town, marking one of the biggest upsets in English football history.

Ruben Amorim’s men, already under pressure following a poor start to the season, were humbled in the second round as Grimsby triumphed 12-11 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw in normal time.

The night began disastrously for United. In the 22nd minute, Charles Vernam struck low into the corner, his effort slipping through the hands of Andre Onana, whose weak form continues to worry supporters.

United looked dead and buried until late in the second half when Bryan Mbeumo opened his account for the club in the 75th minute, raising faint hopes of a comeback.

With just a minute left on the clock, Harry Maguire rose highest to nod in an equaliser from a corner, dragging the tie into penalties.

What followed was one of the longest and most nerve-wracking shootouts in Carabao Cup history.

After 25 spot-kicks, it was Grimsby who held their nerve, sealing a famous victory that will be remembered for years to come.

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Tottenham challenge Chelsea in race for £60m valued forward

Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons, a player long pursued by Chelsea.

The Dutch midfielder has been a top target for Chelsea throughout the summer, but the club have struggled to reach an agreement with Leipzig.

The Bundesliga side rejected a player-plus-cash deal that would have seen Christopher Nkunku return to Germany, and they continue to demand around €70 million (£60.4m) for the highly-rated talent.

Now Tottenham have entered the race, with reports suggesting they are confident Simons could be tempted by a move to North London.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s pursuit of Simons appeared close earlier this month when he was left out of Leipzig’s pre-season clash against Atalanta.

However, he has since returned to the line-up, playing the full 90 minutes in a 6-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.

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18-year-old Barcelona Star, Lamine Yamal Shows Off His 25-year-old Argentinian Girlfriend

18-year-old Barcelona star, Lamine Yamal has showed off his 25-year-old sweetheart, Nicki Nicole.
He flaunted a photo posing with her on his Instagram page.
The 18-year-old Spanish footballer shared an intimate photograph featuring himself and the Argentine singer celebrating her 25th birthday.
The post comes after Yamal helped Barcelona secure a dramatic 3 – 2 comeback victory against Levante on Saturday evening.
Nicole was previously dating fellow singer Peso Pluma before they endured a public split last year following allegations that he had been spotted with another woman in Las Vegas.
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Gyokeres opens account as Arsenal thrash newcomers Leeds United 5-0

Arsenal made light work of Premier League newcomers Leeds with a 5-0 victory at the Emirates, but the win was overshadowed by fresh injury setbacks ahead of a crucial trip to Liverpool.

New signing Viktor Gyokeres marked his home debut with two goals, while Jurrien Timber also struck twice from corners and Bukayo Saka added another before being forced off injured.

Fifteen-year-old Max Dowman made headlines with a late cameo, winning a stoppage-time penalty converted by Gyokeres.

Meanwhile, Kai Havertz’s knee issue, picked up in training, was one factor behind Arsenal’s £60m hijacking of Tottenham’s move for Eberechi Eze.

Christian Norgaard is also yet to feature due to fitness concerns.

Mikel Arteta, who has now overseen more than £1 billion in transfer spending, unveiled Eze to the Emirates crowd before kick-off alongside fellow recruits Noni Madueke, Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Cristhian Mosquera, and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

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Breaking: Arsenal seal £60m deal for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze

Arsenal have officially completed the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace in a deal worth £60 million plus add-ons.

The Gunners beat rivals Tottenham to the signature of the 26-year-old attacking midfielder, who has penned a long-term contract at the Emirates.

Eze becomes Arsenal’s latest marquee addition as Mikel Arteta strengthens his squad ahead of the new campaign.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Remains Trophyless As Al-Nassr Lose Saudi Super Cup To Al Ahli

Cristiano Ronaldo’s quest for a major trophy with Al-Nassr continues, as the team fell to Al Ahli in the Saudi Super Cup on Saturday.

The game had ended 2-2 during regulation time and had to be decided by penalties.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the game with a penalty – his 100th goal for Al-Nassr.

But Franck Kessie equalized for Al-Ahli before halftime.

Marcelo Brozovic then restored Al-Nassr’s lead late in the match, only for Roger Ibañez to equalize again.

The game went to penalties, where Al-Ahli kept their composure, with a crucial save by Édouard Mendy proving decisive.

Mendy saved Al-Nassr’s fourth kick from Abdullah Al-Khaibari, before Wenderson Galeno converted his kick to win Al-Ahli’s first Super Cup since 2016.

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Ballon d’Or 2025: He Deserves It – Dembele’s France Team-Mate Backs Yamal To Win Award

Ousmane Dembele’s France teammate, Jules Kounde, has expressed support for his Barcelona colleague Lamine Yamal, backing him to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Kounde said that Yamal, who is expected to compete with Dembele, deserves the Ballon d’Or.

Both Yamal and Dembele are among the 30 nominees shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or.

“Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d’Or? You’re putting me in a tricky situation, but I think he deserves it,” Kounde said (via Le10Sport).

“I have a very good relationship with him. He is a team player, he works a lot for the team. I understand him perfectly.”

Yamal, 18, recorded 18 goals for the LaLiga champions last term and produced brilliant display during the UEFA Champions League.

The Spain international was promoted to Barcelona’s first-team by former manager Xavi.

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