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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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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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