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AFCON 2025Q: Benin vs Nigeria – Date, Time And Where To Watch

Benin Republic is poised to face Nigeria in a crucial match in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The encounter promises to be intense, as the two West African rivals have built a fierce competitive history.

In June, Benin secured a 2-1 victory over Nigeria at this very venue during the first leg of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
However, Nigeria responded with a dominant 3-0 win in September during their AFCON qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Benin’s head coach, Gernot Rohr will be under pressure to secure a victory, as a loss could jeopardize Benin’s hopes of advancing to the AFCON tournament.

In his quest to strengthen the squad, Rohr has recalled five players: David Kiki, Tosin Aiyegun, Lenny Pirringuel, Ryan Adigo, and Serge Obassa. However, the team will be without experienced defender Cedric Hountondji, who is sidelined due to an injury.

On the Nigerian side, head coach Augustine Eguavoen has assembled a formidable squad, including star striker Victor Osimhen, who missed the previous match against Libya.

Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman is also in the squad, adding strength to Nigeria’s offensive front as they aim to maintain momentum in their bid for a fourth AFCON title.

Benin vs Nigeria: Date and Time

The penultimate match for both teams will take place at the Stade de Houphouet Boigny in Abidjan on Thursday, November 14, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Nigerian time.

Benin vs Nigeria: Where to watch

Fans across Africa can catch the action live on SuperSport and Startimes, while the CAF website and designated YouTube channels will also stream the game.

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LaLiga: 19-year-Old Real Madrid Star, Cucalon Retires From Football (Photo)

Real Madrid youngster Marc Cucalon has retired from football.
He retired at the age of 19 after falling victim to a rare infection in 2022.
This is according to Sportskeeda.
Cucalon, born in Zaragoza, would not continue playing football after a two-year battle with the bacterial infection in his knee.
The midfielder was captain of the club’s Juvenil A team in 2022 and played alongside the now-Como star Nico Paz in the academy.
Recall that Cucalon suffered a ruptured ACL following a heavy tackle when Los Blancos’ U-19 team faced Celtic in the UEFA Youth League in Glasgow, Scotland in September 2022.
He was 17 years old then, but never returned to a football pitch afterwards.
He underwent surgery to fix the problem, only for bacteria to infiltrate the cartilage used to replace the ACL during the surgery.
This led to a rare infection, which has prevented the midfielder from carrying out any physical exercise on his knee since then.
Cucalon was very highly rated in La Fabrica, where his technical qualities on the ball saw him likened to Xabi Alonso.
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Even My Own Children Criticise Me – Lionel Messi Reveals

Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami forward, has revealed that his children do criticise him when they watch him play.

Messi is the most decorated football player in the world.

The Argentina captain has won over 46 trophies in his glistering career so far.

The 37-year-old has also won eight Ballon d’Or awards.

“My kids give me advice… they even criticise me too when they watch games,” Messi was quoted by Fabrizio Romano as saying.

Messi has played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in the past.

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Ballon d’Or: ‘I Wouldn’t Have Acted The Same Way’ – Rodri To Vinicius After Snub

Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder, has sent a clear message to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian’s decision to turn down his ticket to last month’s Ballon d’Or’s ceremony in Paris, France.

Rodri claimed that he ‘would not have acted the same way’ Vinicius did.

Vinicius had been considered the strong favourite to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or after playing a key role in Real Madrid winning the Champions League, La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup last season.

But a leak in the build-up to the Ballon d’Or ceremony indicated that Rodri would scoop the award after a brilliant year with both Manchester City and Spain.

Recall that the 28-year-old midfielder won both the Premier League and Euro 2024.

As a result, Vinicius and Real Madrid’s delegation cancelled their trip to Paris in protest of their winger failing to win the award ahead of Rodri.

Speaking to France Football, Rodri said: “When your value is recognised at a very high level, final winner or not, it’s good to come.

“Besides, there is also the collective aspect that’s important. For example, Erling [Haaland] was in a better position than me to win last year. I wanted to come to support him in a special moment.

“So when I made the decision to come it was above all to enjoy this superb evening.”

When specifically asked about Vinicius’ decision to snub the event, Rodri said: “What do you want me to tell you?

“That I would have preferred everyone to be there? Of course, I would have.

“The second, third, fourth, etcetera were all missing… I have to respect everyone’s decision. Even if I would not have acted the same way.”

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BREAKING: CAF Awards Three Points, Three Goals To Nigeria, Fines Libya $50,000 Over Missed Game

On Saturday, October 26, the Confederation of African Football, CAF, awarded three points and three goals to the Super Eagles following the botched 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.

The Super Eagles consolidated their top position in the group following the verdict.

The Nigerian side now have 10 points from four matches, four points clear of nearest rivals Benin.

Libya remain bottom of the group with one point.

A draw with Benin in Abidjan next month will qualify the Super Eagles for the 2025 AFCON to be hosted by Morocco in December 2025.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also fined the Libya Football Federation $50,000.

The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the decision.

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LaLiga: Why Guardiola Once Told Messi To ‘Shut Up’ At Barcelona

Rafael Marquez, a former Barcelona defender, has recalled the time when the then-manager Pep Guardiola told Lionel Messi to “shut up”.

The incident happened after a five-a-side bust-up in training.

Marquez played for Barca between 2003 and 2010 and lined up alongside Messi during that stint.

On one occasion, the two players had an angry confrontation, after Marquez expressed his anger at Messi for holding onto the ball for too long.

It has now emerged that Guardiola stepped in to defend the Mexican and put Messi in his place.

Marquez said, as quoted by The Mirror: “Yes, in a five-a-side game [we clashed].

“He was on my team and of course, Messi had the ball. He had the goal to shoot and he didn’t shoot.

“We were losing and we said to him: ‘Messi, shoot, Messi, score a goal’. Nothing.

“Until I got p***ed off and told him: ‘Messi, let go of the ball, bro.’

“So he approached and answered me. Pep arrived and said: ‘Messi, shut up. You have to respect Rafa’s hierarchy.’”

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AFCON Qualifiers: Troost-Ekong Celebrates As CAF Awards Victory To Nigeria, Fines Libya

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, is in high spirits as he celebrates the ruling by the Confederation of African Football regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Libya and Nigeria.

Recall that the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football awarded Nigeria three points and three goals from the abandoned Matchday 4 encounter in the 2025 AFCON qualification series, scheduled to be played between Libya and Nigeria in Benina on 15 October.

In its ruling on Saturday, signed by chairman Ousmane Kane, the Disciplinary Board determined that the Libyan Football Federation was in breach of Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

“The Libyan Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

“The match No. 87, Libya v Nigeria, of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi), is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (with a record of 3-0),” the ruling read in part.

The LFF was also ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000, with payment due within 60 days of notification of the present decision.

The outcome of the Disciplinary Committee means that Nigeria is close to qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with two matches to spare.

As a result, the Super Eagles are now on 10 points from four matches, four points ahead of second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda has five points. Bottom-placed Libya has only one point and is out of the running for qualification.

A win or draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday, 14 November (a matchday 5 encounter) will secure the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, scheduled for December 2025/January 2026.

The Nigerian team had boycotted the match citing safety concerns, after being left stranded at the remote Al-Abraq airport on the outskirts of Benghazi for over 22 hours.

The LFF, in response, accused the Nigeria Football Federation of not cooperating with it regarding the travel itinerary.

It also alleged that the Libyan national team had suffered the same fate in Nigeria during the reverse fixture a week earlier, claiming the team was left stranded at Port Harcourt Airport by Nigerian authorities.

Reacting in a post via his verified X.com, @WTroostEkong, on Saturday, the Super Eagles skipper said the development means the Super Eagles are one step closer to the AFCON 2025.

He wrote, “JUSTICE: CAF awards three points and three goals to Nigeria. Libya fined $50,000.

“The plane was diverted 300km from the scheduled airport, even when the pilot told them he was low on fuel.

“One step closer to our target AFCON 2025.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Partner, Georgina Rodriguez Reveals She Was Hospitalized With Pneumonia For Four Days

Georgina Rodriguez, an Argentine-Spanish model and partner of footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, was hospitalized for four days after she was down with pneumonia.

The 30-year-old shared a health update on her Instagram story which explained the news.

She said: ‘Finally back home! I spent four days in the hospital with pneumonia, I’m better now but still recovering at home with my family.

‘I have to say a big THANK YOU to all the staff members, doctors, nurses and everyone at the hospital… they took care of me so wonderfully and I am very grateful for that.

‘Thank you all for such a great stay.”

The Sun reported that Rodriguez was admitted to Saudi German Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she is based with Ronaldo.

The influencer and model has been with the Portuguese superstar since 2016 after they met at a Gucci retail store in Madrid. The couple have two children together, while Ronaldo has three other children from previous relationships.

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Kano Govt Appoints Ahmed Musa As Sports Ambassador

Gov Abbir Yusuf of Kano State has appointed Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa as the state’s ambassador of sports.

The governor stated that his decision to appoint Musa as the sports ambassador was because of his professional competence, track record of excellent performance, vast experience, dedication to the development of sporting activities and provision of humanitarian services in the State.

The appointment was confirmed via a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi PhD on Wednesday titled “NOTIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT AS KANO STATE SPORT AMBASSADOR”.

The statement reads in full: “It is my singular honour to formally convey to you that His Excellency, Governor Abba K. Yusuf of Kano State has approved your appointment as Kano State Sports Ambassador with effect from 24th July, 2024.

The decision to appoint you into this exalted position of trust and confidence was predicated upon your professional competence, track record of excellent performance, vast experience, dedication to the development of sporting activities and provision of humanitarian services in the State. It is hoped that you will bring these sterling qualities to bear on your new assignment.

It is my ardent prayer that your appointment as Kano State Sports Ambassador will assist the Government significantly in attaining the objective of promoting the overall sporting activities especially as it relates to our home based clubs and players.

While congratulating you over this well-deserved appointment, it is my sincere hope that you will live above board and justify the confidence reposed in you by the Government. I pray that God in His infinite mercy accord you the wisdom and determination to execute the assignment diligently and to the expectation of the administration. Accept my sincere congratulations on this well-deserved appointment and prayers of good will.

Best wishes.”

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CAF Confirms Details For 2024 Player Of The Year Awards

It has been confirmed by the Confederation of African Football, CAF, that the 2024 CAF Awards will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, on December 16, 2024.

This is the third consecutive time the prestigious ceremony will be hosted in the North African country.

CAF is yet to publish the final list of contenders for the Men’s Best Player.

However, players like Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and Morocco’s Brahim Díaz, are expected to battle it out for the prize.

The reigning African Footballer of the Year is Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen’s compatriot, Asisat Oshoala, is the current holder of the women’s award.

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