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Ballon d’Or: Calvin Bassey Was Jumping When I Told Him – Lookman On Sharing News Of His Nomination

Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles forward, has revealed that his colleague, Calvin Bassey was the first player he told when he learned about his nomination for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.

Lookman was recently named among the 30 candidates for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

The Atalanta winger is competing against top players like Vinicius Júnior, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal.

Speaking with the Counter Attack Podcast, Lookman said: “I was on the bus on the way back from training. I saw our handle posted that I have been nominated for the Ballon d’Or. I was a bit surprised.

“Obviously, I am in a room with Calvin Bassey and when I told him, he was just jumping up and down. He was very happy and was like you don’t really understand. That was when I took it in.”

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Ronaldo Names Best Club in Football History

Al-Nassr star, Cristiano Ronaldo has named the best club in football history.
He named Real Madrid as the best club in football history.

Recall that Ronaldo played for Real Madrid earlier in his career.
The 39-year-old also played for Manchester United and Juventus.
The Portugal captain won the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga and several trophies during his time Madrid.
He made 438 appearances across competitions for the Los Blancos.
Speaking about Madrid on his YouTube channel with former Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo said (via @MadridXtra):
“Real Madrid is the best club ever in history.”
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Don’t Blame Osimhen For Publicly Fighting With Finidi – Mikel Obi

Former Nigeria captain, John Mikel Obi has said he will not blame Victor Osimhen for publicly fighting against former Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George.
Recall that Osimhen was slammed months back for taking to social media to lash out at Finidi, who allegedly questioned his commitment to the national team.

The striker called out the former Ajax winger and expressed his disappointment and loss of respect for him.
Mikel said Osimhen’s frustration was understandable, especially with the Super Eagles poor results against South Africa and Benin Republic.
The former midfielder admitted that while the striker’s reaction may not be ideal, he understands why the player needs to defend himself.
He praised Osimhen’s humility but acknowledged that respect must be mutual.
“Every time I speak to him, he’s very humble, respects people. As I said, respect is reciprocal. I respect you, you respect me. I think this situation with the Nigerian coach, where he blew out, he just felt it wasn’t fair because the manager didn’t protect him, Mikel said on Obionepodcast.
 
“He said he had a conversation with the manager, everything was recorded, and the manager just threw him under the bus.
 
“He was really pissed off, so he came out to defend himself. Maybe the way he did it wasn’t the best, but he had the right to speak out. I have nothing against Victor [Osimhen] for that, and knowing your worth isn’t arrogance.”
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Osimhen Yet to Apologise for Social Media Rant Against Me – Finidi

Former Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George has revealed that Victor Osimhen has not tendered an apology to him for the viral social media tirade that disrespected him.
Finidi stated this in a recent interview.
The former Nigerian coach who now manages Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Rivers United, revealed he reached out to the forward to resolve the issue.
 
“I sent him a message that it was not the best way, just someone telling you that coach said that and you’re talking about me like I said it in an interview,” Finidi told Nigeria Info FM.
“From that point I didn’t hear from him, I moved on and I wish everybody well, only God will judge”.
 
Finidi also refused to comment on suggestions Osimhen should have been sanctioned with a ban from the Super Eagles.
 
“I don’t know, he is there already, let him be,” he added.
“We cannot crucify him, he has made a mistake, we have moved on and life goes on.”
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Transfer: He Didn’t Want £500,000 – Mikel Obi Reveals Why Osimhen Didn’t Join Chelsea

Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi has debunked reports that Victor Osimhen insisted on getting £500,000 salary from Chelsea before he could sign for the club.
Recall that his anticipated move to Chelsea failed after the player and the club failed to agree a deal.
Mikel Obi, speaking on his podcast, claimed the deal was “very, very close”.
However, “slight issues” saw it fall apart at the last minute.
He also made it clear that Osimhen is not a greedy footballer, but demanded what he deserves.
Mikel Obi said: “A lot happened. Everybody knows I was involved in trying to get Osimhen to the club.
 
“I want to say that I know the boy since he joined the national team and I know
 
“Victor is not greedy. He was not asking for half a million pounds or anything like that. That is not true. He just wants to get what he deserves.
 
“A player demanding what he wants is not a problem.
 
“We were very very close. It was hours away to get it done. But there were slight issues.
 
“There was no time for the medical to be done even if the deal was done. It was too late.
 
“I know exactly where we are, where we stopped and if we have picked it up in January, I know exactly where we start from.”
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AFCON 2025 Qualifier: Super Eagles Fly Out To Kigali For Amavubi Clash

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have flown to Kigali in preparation for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Amavubi of Rwanda, scheduled for Tuesday.

The players and their officials left the Victor Attah Airport, Uyo on Sunday afternoon.

The Super Eagles plan two training sessions in Kigali before the clash with the home team.

The West Africans started their campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Saturday.

The three-time African champions will face the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali on Tuesday.

Rwanda held the Mediterranean Knights of Libya to a 1-1 draw in Tripoli in their first game.

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AFCON 2025 Qualifier: Lookman Reacts To Super Eagles Victory Over Benin Republic

Nigerian footballer, Ademola Lookman has reflected on the Super Eagles’ impressive victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.

Lookman was the hero as the Super Eagles started their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a thrilling 3-0 victory over their neighbour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Saturday.

The Atalanta winger scored Nigeria’s first and third goal of the game.

The 26-year-old was also named Man of the Match after the game.

Lookman took to the social media to celebrate the team’s victory.

“Take off ⚽️ ⚽️ ✔️” he wrote on X.

The Super Eagles will now shift attention to Tuesday’s away clash with the Amavubi of Rwanda.

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Nigerian Coach Best For Super Eagles, No Need For Expatriate – Troost-Ekong

William Troost-Ekong, the Super Eagles captain, is rooting for an indigenous coach to lead the team.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, in June announced it will appoint an expatriate to lead the Super Eagles.

The NFF recently failed in their attempt to appoint German Bruno Labbadia as head coach of the three-time African champions.

The soccer house id still searching for a foreign coach to lead the team.

Troost-Ekong however voiced his support for a local coach to take over the post.

“I’ve always said that having a coach from Nigeria is an advantage. Someone who has been in our shoes and understands what we’re going through can bring that experience to the team,” the Al-Khaloood of Saudi defender told reporters in Uyo.

Former international, Augustine Eguavoen will lead the team in interim capacity for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

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AFCON 2025 Qualifier: They’re All Fit – Eguavoen Speaks On Who To Start Between Okoye And Nwabali

Austin Eguavoen, the Super Eagles interim manager, has admitted that it is ‘headache’ for him to decide who will be in goal for Nigeria between Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye ahead of Saturday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifier against Republic of Benin.

Eguavoen, who spoke at his pre-match press conference, said both goalkeepers are all fit.

When asked who will start in goal between both goalkeepers against Benin, Eguavoen told reporters: “The headache in the entire team. 23 quality players, some quality players that are also not in the team right now.

“So, it is headache for the coach but the good thing is that they are all fit and we can always play with 11, the required number of players and the good thing is that the players also know that.”

The match will hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

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AFCON 2025 Qualifier: Eguavoen Speaks On Starting Victor Osimhen

Austin Eguavoen, the Super Eagles interim manager, has said that he would have to decide today whether to start Victor Osimhen against the Republic of Benin.

Both teams will clash in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifier on Saturday evening.

The match will hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Osimhen was the last player to report to the Super Eagles camp.

The 25-year-old had to sort out his future, following his failure to secure a move to Chelsea or Al Ahli from Napoli during the summer transfer window.

Osimhen ended up joining Turkish side Galatasaray on loan on Thursday, after which he arrived to join the Super Eagles in training in Uyo.

Speaking on whether Osimhen will start against Benin, Eguavoen said at his pre-match press conference:

“To answer that, you know we have a pool of 23 players. So it is something I have to sleep over and then decide who starts tomorrow.”

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