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Ballon d’Or: You Deserve It – Aguero Snubs Vinicius, Bellingham As He Names His Winner

Sergio Aguero, the Manchester City legend, has revealed who gets his vote to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Sergio has picked Rodri, ahead of Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.

A 30-man shortlist was announced this week ahead of the award ceremony next month.

But Aguero has now publicly given his backing to former City team-mate Rodri to claim the coveted accolade.

In response to City tweeting about Rodri’s Ballon d’Or nomination, Aguero tweeted: “A perfect year, you deserve it. Come on Rodri.”

Rodri was part of the City squad that romped to to a record fourth straight Premier League title in May.

He also played a crucial role in guiding Spain to Euro 2024 glory.

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AFCON 2025 Qualifier: It’s Victory Or Nothing Against Benin Republic – Okoye

Maduka Okoye has said it is important for the Super Eagles to start their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a winning note.

The Super Eagles will entertain their neighbours Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Saturday.

The three-time African champions have won only one of their last five outings.

Okoye stated that the Super Eagles must go all out for a win against the Cheetahs.

“It’s important we win because this is an important AFCON qualifier,” the Udinese goalkeeper told reporters.

“We have to be at our best and play at our highest level.

“What is most important is the victory for the team and for Nigeria.”

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Guinness World Records Celebrates Ronaldo’s 900th Career Goal with GOAT Comment

Guinness World Records has celebrated with Cristiano Ronaldo by acknowledging him as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) after he scored 900 career goals.
GWR made the comment on social media posts with a GOAT emoji while reacting to a news article about the superstar.

Ronaldo’s 900th goal solidified his standing in international men’s football and across club competitions, surpassing rivals like Lionel Messi and many others.

In a late X post on Thursday, Guinness World Records quoted a BBC post celebrating Ronaldo’s historic new record, where it posted, “900 career goals for Cristiano Ronaldo.  Incredible.  #BBCFootball.”
The global authority on record-breaking achievements since 1955, #GWR
Recall that Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League opener against Croatia.
The goal came in the 34th minute of the match when Ronaldo volleyed in a cross from Nuno Mendes, securing a 2-1 victory for Portugal.

See reactions below:
𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐊 using his X handle, #ChessLordK, said, “Even Guinness world records knows the GOAT.”
Famous with the handle #Famous_999_ posted, “I can confirm you guys changed admin.”
Another user, HertzBiT Talks via his account #HertzBiT, tweeted, “Rigged WC Merchants incoming.”
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We Have Supplied 30m Barrels Of Crude To Dangote Refinery – NNPCL

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that it has provided 30 million barrels of crude to the Dangote refinery to date.

The Executive Vice President of NNPCL Downstream, Adedapo Segun, who disclosed this on Thursday on Arise Television, said plans were underway to supply an additional 17 million barrels to the refinery soon.

He said the company would supply 6.3 million barrels of crude in September and 11.3 million barrels in October.

“We have supplied about 30 million barrels to Dangote so far—6.3 million this month, and we will supply 11.3 million in October,” Segun stated.

He stated that the development was part of the Federal Government’s decision to sell crude to local refineries, adding that the 6.3 million barrels would be delivered in seven cargoes.

“The pump price today is not reflective of the market. NNPCL is the sole importer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the country, which is abnormal. We should be moving towards a situation where the free market determines prices,” he added.

He explained that the NNPCL’s role as the sole importer of petrol was not deliberate, but rather a response to market conditions.

“Let me put it into proper perspective. NNPC is not a regulator. We didn’t choose to be the sole importer. We don’t determine who participates in the market. We stepped in when others reduced their participation. It is not about us wanting to be monopolists,” Segun stated.

According to him, achieving a stable fuel supply and price requires ideal market conditions, including a more liquid foreign exchange market.

“Market conditions need to be ideal, and there needs to be FX liquidity,” he added, suggesting that broader economic reforms may be needed to address the fuel pricing issue,” he said.

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Maduka Okoye Gives Verdict On Nwabali Amid Battle For Super Eagles’ First-Choice Goalkeeper

Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has praised Stanley Nwabali as an outstanding goalkeeper in the ongoing competition for the Super Eagles’ top goalkeeper spot.

Okoye spoke ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifiers against Republic of Benin and Rwanda on Saturday and Tuesday.

Nwabali is currently Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper due to his form at the 2023 AFCON.

Speaking to Victor Modo, Okoye expressed readiness to compete with the Chippa United gloveman for the starting berth.

“Like you said, we have top goalkeepers. Stanley proved it in the AFCON and for me, it is also great to share the pitch with them you know and train together with them and the very good goalkeeping coach and yeah it is always good,”Okoye said.

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Super Eagles Forward Ademola Lookman Nominated For Ballon d’Or 2024 Award (Full List)

Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, has been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.

Lookman made the award nomination list after his heroics in the Europa League final where he scored a hat-trick as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen.

Other nominees in the men’s player of the year nomination list includes Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr, Man City’s midfielder Rodri and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal.

Ademola Lookman only African in full list of Ballon d’Or contenders

Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid

Lautaro Martinez – Inter

Ademola Lookman – Atalanta

Alejandro Grimaldo – Bayer Leverkusen

Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid

William Saliba – Arsenal

Lamine Yamal – Barcelona

Bukayo Saka – Arsenal

Hakan Calhanoglu – Inter

Rodri – Man City

Declan Rice- Arsenal

Harry Kane – Bayern Munich

Cole Palmer – Chelsea

Vitinha – PSG

Vinicius Jr – Real Madrid

Martin Odegaard – Arsenal

Dani Olmo – Barcelona

Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen

Mats Hummels – Roma

Erling Haaland – Man City

Nicolas Williams – Athletic Bilbao

Granit Xhaka – Bayer Leverkusen

Artem Dovbik – Roma

Toni Kroos – Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid

Phil Foden – Man City

Ruben Dias – Man City

Federico Valverde – Real Madrid

Emiliano Martinez – Aston VIlla

Date of ceremony, awards up for grabs

The main award is set to hold on 28 October at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

The following awards will be up for grabs:

The Ballon d’Or – awarded to the best male player

The Ballon d’Or Feminin – awarded to the best female player

The Yashin Trophy – awarded to the best male goalkeeper

The Kopa Trophy – awarded to the best male player under the age of 21

The Gerd Muller Trophy – awarded to the best male striker

The Socrates Award – awarded to one player for their humanitarian work

Men’s club of the year award

Women’s club of the year award

Men’s coach of the year award

Women’s coach of the year award

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Ballon d’Or 2024 Nominees Set To Be Unveiled

The nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or are set to be announced today.

It is almost certain that the current holder and eight-time winner, Lionel Messi, will not even make the podium this time around.

This means there will be a first-time winner at the ceremony next month.

Organisers will today reveal every name on their long shortlist.

Real Madrid and Spain players are expected to be prominent after their respective successes.

Vinicius Jr – who has made clear his desire to take the top prize – Rodri and Jude Bellingham among the favourites for the trophy.

Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland will also be in contention.

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It’s God’s Favour — Eguaveon Denies Lobbying For Super Eagles Coaching Role

Austin Eguavoen, the caretaker coach of the Super Eagles, has refuted claims that he lobbied for the interim coaching role.

In a recent statement released through the official Super Eagles communication channels, Eguavoen emphasized that his appointment was not a result of any personal efforts or influence but rather the manifestation of divine favor.

“I am a member of the Federation, working as the Technical Director Nigerian Football Federation,” he said.

“When a situation like this comes and you are being called upon, you can’t say no. It’s a task that I had performed; it is a duty that falls under my responsibility.

“For the fact that the hierarchy of the Federation now feels and thinks that I can salvage the situation, why not? But one thing should be clear to the public: I didn’t ask for this; I didn’t lobby for this, I didn’t apply for this; it is God’s favour.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the appointment of Augustine Eguavoen as the interim head coach of the Super Eagles for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

The decision came after negotiations with German coach Bruno Labbadia broke down.

Eguavoen, 59, who has served as the national team’s technical director since 2020, will temporarily take charge during this international break.

The Super Eagles legend is no stranger to the role, having previously coached the national team in three different stints, the most recent being in 2021 when he led the team at the AFCON following the sudden dismissal of former coach Gernot Rohr.

Continue reading “It’s God’s Favour — Eguaveon Denies Lobbying For Super Eagles Coaching Role”
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Transfer: Osimhen Sacks Agent Over Failure to Seal Permanent Exit From Napoli

Robert Calenda, the agent of Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen has been sacked.
Osimhen sacked him over his transfer saga, according to Il Mattino (via TMW).

Osimhen is said to be pissed off by Calenda’s incompetence, as he tried to engineer a permanent move away from the Serie A side.

It is believed that the Nigeria international even negotiated his loan move to Galatasaray without an agent.
Osimhen was expected to leave Napoli on deadline day, with Al Ahli and Chelsea trying to complete deals but nothing happened.
Calenda was heavily criticised on social media for messing up the deals.
It is understood that Osimhen employed the help of Turkish intermediary George Gardi, to negotiate with Galatasaray.
The deal is a straight loan until the end of the season, with a break clause in January in the event of top European clubs making a move.
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Osimhen Close to Sealing a Move to Galatasaray

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen could be sealing a loan deal to Galatasaray.
This is coming after he failed to sign for a top European club this summer and has been excluded from the Serie A club’s squad.
With no way back for the Nigerian under Antonio Conte, he is now considering the few options left on the table.
And according to football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Napoli has reached an agreement with Galatasaray over a loan.
Osimhen’s wages will be covered by the Turkish club.
Romano wrote on X: “Galatasaray has reached an agreement in principle with Napoli over a loan deal for Victor Osimhen!
 
“One year loan, salary covered as Napoli have accepted these conditions.
 
“Gala’s delegation to meet with Osimhen in Napoli in the next hours for the final green light to the move.”

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