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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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Sport News

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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UCL: It Was Revenge For Fans – Raphinha Reflects On Barcelona’s 4-1 Win Over Bayern

Raphinha, the Barcelona forward, has said their 4-1 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night, was “revenge” for fans who were hurt by past results against the German giants.

Raphinha, who was making his 100th appearance for Barca, bagged a hat-trick as the Catalans ended a run of six successive defeats against Bayern in the competition.

The Brazilian winger only featured in two of those fixtures. But according to him, he experienced them all as a supporter.

Raphinha, speaking after the victory, said: “It was revenge for the fans I think.

“For us on the inside, the players, we don’t look at the past.

“We focus on the next game. But I suffered those games as a fan, too.”

Barcelona’s next game is the El Clasico against Real Madrid this Saturday.

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Champions League: Vinicius Hat-Trick Completes Real Madrid Comeback Against Dortmund

Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Junior led the club to a resounding comeback by bagging a hat-trick in the second half of their Champions League against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
The game finally ended 5-2 in favour of Real Madrid.
In a rematch of last-season’s final, Dortmund took the lead through goals from Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens to silence the Bernabeu crowd.
However, the champions were livelier after the break and broke Dortmund’s resistance with Antonio Rüdiger’s header on the hour before Vinícius equalised with a close-range strike.
Lucas Vázquez put Real ahead in the 83rd with an unstoppable strike after a counter-attack.
Vinicius, with two magnificent pieces of individual brilliance, wrapped up the win to leave his side level with Dortmund on six points from three games.
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Ballon d’Or: He Didn’t Perform – Thierry Henry Snubs Vinicius Jr For Award

Thierry Henry, a former Arsenal captain, has said Manchester City’s Rodri should win the 2024 Ballon d’Or ahead of Vinicius Junior, the Real Madrid winger.

Henry was speaking on CBS Sports on Tuesday night, after watching Vinicius score a hat-trick in the 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund.

When asked by presenter Kate Abdo who he wanted to win the Ballon d’Or, Henry said he would prefer a midfielder.

His words: “Rodri because I wanted the Xavi and the [Andres] Iniesta when they were performing, people forget about the midfielders and what they do and they’re the heart of the team and he was the heart of Man City. I know they didn’t win the Champions League but he won the Euros.

“Vinicius Jr didn’t perform at the Copa America.

“But is he a worthy winner? Yes. He’s outstanding. I keep on saying, for me, right now, as a forward, the best in the world so he deserves it.”

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Vinicius Jr Is Going To Win The Ballon D’or – Ancelotti

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the player to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Ancelotti tipped Vinicius Junior to win the award following his superb performance against Borussia Dortmund after the Brazilian forward scored a second-half hat-trick to help them fight back from two goals down in the Champions League.
Ancelotti told a news conference he was convinced that the 24-year-old Vinicius would win the Ballon d’Or award for the best player in the world.
“What I can say is that it’s rare to see a player who plays a second half like Vinicius did. And not because of the three goals but because of his character; he’s extraordinary,” Ancelotti said on Tuesday.
“Vinicius is going to win [the Ballon d’Or], not for what he did tonight, but for what he did last year. These three goals are already going to count for next year’s Ballon d’Or, that’s for sure. He is a player who gets whistled at because he can make a difference.”
In a rematch of last season’s final, Ancelotti said there was no panic in the changing room after Real went into the half-time break two goals down, and that his side had the maturity and experience to understand what they needed to do to come back.
“We lived it calmly, calmly [over the break]. We changed the system and came back playing more intensely,” Ancelotti said.
 
“Talking about scoring three goals might have seemed utopian, so we talked about small details like passing well, winning duels … We had to win the dynamic of the game, and from there you start to win the game.
 
“We were timid in the first half, we weren’t intense on the ball and in the second half, we did better with more quality, more pressure. It was the best second half of the season.
 
“We have to learn from what we did in the second half. The aim is to start the game and not wait for them to put two past us. I don’t think we can play 90 minutes with the intensity of the second half but we can be more balanced.”
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Libya vs Nigeria Saga: CAF President, Motsepe Gives Update

Confederation of African Football, CAF President, Patrice Motsepe has reacted to the inhumane treatment of the Super Eagles of Nigeria by Libyan authorites.
He spoke at CAF’s 46th Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa, on Tuesday.
Motsepe also revealed that appropriate action will be taken at the end of the investigation.
Recall that Super Eagles players and their officials were subjected to harsh treatment in Libya ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifier in the October International break.
The team’s flight to Benghazi was diverted to a small airport, Al Abraq, away from Benghazi Airport and the players were held captive for over 15 hours without food, water and internet access.
 
“We should have zero tolerance. When there was this problem of the Nigerian national team in Libya, I will not comment on that because there is a proper investigation,” Motesepe said.
“But I want to emphasise a principle that we will not tolerate. This is something that has been going on for quite some time.
 
“Forget about the Libya vs Nigeria situation; forget about that; appropriate action will be taken. I have heard too many stories about a football club or national team that goes to a country.”
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EPL: English Club Celebrates Super Eagles Star, Ndidi

Nigerian midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has been celebrated by his club Leicester City for making his 200th Premier League appearance for the club.
Recall that Ndidi reached the milestone in Leicester City’s 3-2 thrilling victory over Southampton on Saturday.
The Foxes rallied from two goals down to win the encounter at the St Mary’s Stadium.
“200 Premier League appearances.
 
Massive, Wilf,” the former Premier League champions wrote on X.
The defensive midfielder joined Leicester City from Belgian Pro League outfit, KRC Genk in January 2017.
Ndidi won the FA Cup with Leicester in the 2020/21 season.

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