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2026 WCQ: Why Super Eagles Lost to Benin Republic – Finidi

Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George has opened up on why his side lost 2-1 to Benin Republic.
The super eagles had yesterday suffered the loss during its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria remain in fifth position in the Group C table with three points from four games.
It was the second time the Cheetahs would beat the Super Eagles in 17 meetings.
Gernot Rohr’s men top the standings with seven points.
“We scored a good goal and after that we lost concentration, they got their equaliser and then they got their momentum,” Finidi said during his interaction with media after the game.
 
“We didn’t defend well the long kick from the goalkeeper and they got their first goal.
 
“We had control of the game, but we didn’t defend well.
 
“If you don’t take your chances and don’t defend well in a World Cup qualifier, you pay for it.
 
“First half was good but for the goals (we conceded), while in the second half we pushed and defended well.”
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Benin Republic Beat Nigeria 2-1, Fans Blast Finidi

Fans have demanded the sack of coach Finidi George after the Super Eagles lost 2-1 to Benin Republic.
Cotonou, the capital of neighbouring Republic of Benin erupted in joy following the shock 2-1 win over the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their 2026 FIFA world Cup qualifier at the Felix Houphouët Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

“This  was a real miracle,” Beninese foremost journalist, Elvis Dedjinou Zanclan , told NationSport after the match.“Two games won successively, first again Rwanda and  now, the super Eagles; this is unbelievable.”
Zanclan then added: “My point of view  at the end of the match  was that the Nigerian players  thought the game  was won  before the kick -off. I think Finidi’s team is the first Nigerian side to lose to Benin in history.
 
“Of course, Cotonou is bubbling and celebrating,”he noted.
By contrast,  the Super Eagles’ defeat  was painfully received  as Nigerians reportedly   took to the social media app, X(formerly Twitter ) to demand the immediate sacking of  Coach Finidi George over the team’s poor performance.
In a  report by Sahara Reporters , many of  Nigerian micro blog users  vented their anger on the former Ajax Amsterdam’s winger.
A commentator, Samstar said, “Finidi George is just a clueless coach with a very big head. Please sack him now and also jail him for stressing all Nigerians #SoarSuperEagles.” 
Another analyst, Buchi Laba regretted being among those who called for George’s appointment few months ago.
He wrote: “I pushed heavily for Finidi George to get the job. I’m a very stupid person. Never ever take any advice coming from me. I no get sense.” 
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Why Real Madrid Will Snub FIFA’s Invitation to Club World Cup – Ancelotti

Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti has given an explanation why the club will not participate in FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup next season.
Recall that the competition is billed for the United States at the end of next season.

 

 

A total of 32 teams from across the world have been invited.
Ancelotti, who guided Real to a double of La Liga and the Champions League this season, claims that FIFA have offered around €20million for their participation.
According to the Italian, Real will not be the only team rejecting FIFA’s offer.
“FIFA forgets that the teams will not participate in the new Club World Cup.
 
“A single Real Madrid match is worth €20million and FIFA wants to give us that amount for the entire tournament.
 
“We will decline the invitation,” Ancelotti told Il Giornale.
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Why Nwabali Owes Me Mercedes Benz – Chippa Coach

Sean Louw, the Chippa United goalkeeper coach, has said that Stanley Nwabali, owes him a Mercedes Benz after his bold prediction of his appearance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nwabali was a surprise inclusion in Nigeria’s squad for the biennial competition hosted by Cote d’Ivoire.

Prior to the competition, the former Enyimba and Katsina United shot stoppers made just one appearance for the Super Eagles.

The 27-year-old was in goal when the Super Eagles squad, dominated largely by local players, was trounced 5-0 in a friendly by Mexico in the United States of America in 2021.

Nwabali was, however, one of the top performers, as the Super Eagles came second in Cote d’Ivoire.

Louw revealed that he once told Nwabali he would play for the Super Eagles in a big tournament, but the goalie doubted him.

“I told Stanley that he is going to play in the AFCON and he said, ‘’I will never play at the AFCON as long as I am playing for Chippa,” Louw told Idisktimes.

“I said ‘Challenge accepted’, and he said if he plays AFCON, he will buy me a Mercedes Benz. Until today, I am still waiting for my Mercedes Benz (laughs).”

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Transfer: It Will Be Difficult For Me To Play With Neymar Again – Messi Says

Lionel Messi, the world-famous Inter Miami superstar, has admitted that it will be “difficult” for him to line up alongside Neymar Jr again.

The two footballers first played together at Barcelona, before Neymar moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

Messi and Neymar were then reunited at PSG, before the Brazilian left for Al-Hilal.

There have been recent speculations claiming they could play together again in the MLS, especially after Luis Saurez signed for Inter Miami.

But Messi said: “We talk often. We even have a group chat with the three of us, including Luis. Ney speaks perfect Spanish.

“A little message to recruit him? No, I don’t know. The truth is, it’s difficult now”.

“He’s in Saudi Arabia, and I think he has a year left on his contract. He had a tough year, where he was injured for a long time. So, it’s difficult now”.

“After that, I don’t know. Life takes so many turns that anything can happen, but I think, for now, no.”

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Anthony Joshua to Fight Winner Between Fury, Usyk

Former Boxing champion, Anthony Joshua will fight the winner between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
That will be if Joshua defeats Daniel Dubois in September.
This was revealed by Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn.
Joshua’s last bout came in March, when he knocked out former UFC champions, Francis Ngannou, in the second round.
In an interview with the UK Sun, Hearn noted that their first priority is for Joshua to regain the world heavyweight title.
He said: “I expect the winner of the December fight to fight Anthony Joshua, if he wins in September.

 

 

“There’s no decision yet made on the opponent, there’s three or four in the mix. But yeah, that’s the absolute plan.
 
“The first priority is to regain the world heavyweight title and obviously undisputed has always been the dream.
 
“So I think we’re two fights away from becoming undisputed. But, we’ve got to win them.”
Last month, Usyk beat Fury via split decision in a historic showdown.
The Ukrainian’s win saw him become the first boxer since Lennox Lewis in 1999 to unify the heavyweight division, taking the WBC title off Fury and adding it to his WBA (Super), WBO, IBF and IBO titles.
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EPL: Man Utd Confirm Departure of Seven Players [Full List]

Manchester United has released seven players from the club.
The announcement was made by the club on Wednesday.
They include Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane, who departed at the end of their contracts.
United released their retained list to confirm the future of certain players.
Martial and Varane already bid an emotional farewell to Old Trafford on the penultimate match of the season.
Joining them out of the exit door is academy graduate Brandon Williams. The defender spent last season on loan with Ipswich.
Fellow academy graduates Charlie McNeill, Marcus Lawrence and Kie Plumley are all set to leave.
Veteran midfielder, Tom Huddlestone, is also leaving. The 37-year-old moved to Old Trafford in August 2022 to act as a player-coach for the Red Devils’ U-21 side.
Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton are in talks over possible new contracts.
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BREAKING: AFCON 2025 Postponed Due To Club World Cup

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for 2025 in Morocco has been rescheduled to January 2026.

The tournament will be delayed by six months, as it clashes with the expanded 32-team Club World Cup.

AFCON 2025 was originally scheduled to take place in June, but the Club World Cup is set to be played in the United States from June 15 to July 13.

CAF’s general secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, told BBC that the AFCON would now be held in early 2026, acknowledging the pressing issue of scheduling conflicts.

Mosengo-Omba highlighted concerns regarding player welfare, questioning the feasibility of players participating in both the Club World Cup and the AFCON consecutively.

“For the men, we need to make sure that the dates that we’ll be choosing will be in the interests of the players.

“For this, we need to balance different aspects and also discuss with our partners and then we complete [the dates]. Scheduling is a nightmare for everybody,” Mosengo-Omba said.

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Neymar Names Player to Win 2024 Ballon d’Or

Al-Hilal superstar, Neymar has revealed who should win this year’s Ballon d’Or award.
According to him, he will be rooting for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. to win the award.

Vinicius is one of the strong contenders for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
The Brazilian scored in the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday as he helped Carlo Ancelotti’s side record a 2-0 victory at Wembley.
The 23-year-old has now won a second Champions League triumph with Madrid.
Speaking about the player that should win the Ballon d’Or, Neymar said (via @MadridXtra):
“I will be rooting for Vinicius to win the Ballon d’Or.”
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Chelsea Officially Appoint New Manager

Chelsea FC has unveiled Enzo Maresca as the club’s new manager.
The club made the announcement on Monday.
The Premier League west London club disclosed this in a statement via their website.
Maresca will begin his new role on 1 July 2024.
The Italian signed a five-year contract with the Blues.
Reacting, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, said:“We are delighted to welcome Enzo to Chelsea.
 
“He has proven himself to be an excellent coach capable of delivering impressive results with an exciting and identifiable style.”

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