Jude Bellingham scored in the 92nd minute to win the El Clasico for Madrid in a 3 2 win over Barcelona. Barca led twice first from Andres Christensen off a …
Jude Bellingham scores late winner in a 3 2 comeback win over Barcelona at the Bernabeau Read MoreAhead of the showdown between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Ethihad on 31st of March, there seems to be goodnews for the citizens as Arsenal number 7 Bukayo Saka …
Breaking news: Big boost for City ahead of showdown with Arsenal Read More
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker has revealed his decision to retire from international duty with Portugal. The forward enjoyed an illustrious career, winning the UEFA European Championship and UEFA Nations League with as well as other individual awards, including scooping the Ballon d’Or five times. Ronaldo has been at a loggerhead with Portugal coach, Jorge Jesus and feels it is time to end his career at the age of 41 after featuring in the last World Cup this year. “Today I finish my walk on the pitch with the national team. I leave with my head held high, with pride in the path I took, and with the awareness that I gave everything I had for Portugal”, Ronaldo said. “The goals pass, the cups are in museums, the records end up being beaten. But there is something that time can never erase, the place we occupy in people’s hearts. “I spent my life working to be the best player in the world. Today I realise that the greatest victory was to have deserved to represent the best country in the world.” The striker also appreciated his teammates for trusting in him and reflected on the time he spent with the national team. “Thank you for these 23 years. Thank you for having believed in me. Portugal will always be in me. Forever,” he added. Ronaldo will continue to enjoy football with his club, Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international duty Read More
Nigerian girls, the Flamingos reached the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final after securing a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Brazil on Wednesday in Morocco. Queen Joseph got the opening goal 16 minutes into the second half after navigating her way past the defence of the Brazilians, striking her effort into the left-corner of the net. The second goal came through Awawu Bashiru in the 71st minute of the game and sealed her brace ten minutes before the end of the match before Bazil got a late goal through Greise Kelly. The road to the final The Flamingos started the tournament with 2-1 loss to Poland before bouncing back with a 2-1 victory over Puerto Rico and stunning South Korea 3-1 to reach the knockout stage. Nigeria then saw off Mexico before beating Venezuela 1-0 via a penalty from Azeezat Oduntan in one of the quarterfinal games to secure a date with Brazil. What next? The Flamingos will face Japan in an epic final on Saturday in Morocco and a win will see them make history as the first Nigerian side to clinch the diadem.
Nigeria beat Brazil to reach U-17 World Cup final Read More
The Confederation of African Football has reverted the African Cup of Nations to its formal two-year schedule from the four-year plan previously revealed. The confederation proposed that the tournament should be held once in four years, this was made known after the final game between Morocco and Senegal in 2026. Many football stakeholders have aired their feelings regarding the four-year plan of CAF, with some of them criticizing the proposed decision. With this new decision, the 2027 AFCON will take place as scheduled while the tournament will not be held in 2030, as a result of the World Cup, the subsequent tournament will hold in 2031 and then 2033. The Gains The the two-year schedule should help the continent to be well prepared for the the World Cup, as African teams will have a chance to play two tournaments before the global competition. The result should help an African team to reach the semifinals, final or possibly win the tournament for the first time. Only one African team has played in the semifinals – Morocco, therefore, African teams need to feature in many competitions, so as to be battle-ready for the World Cup. Besides Morocco getting to the semifinals, Cameroon has reached the quarterfinals as well as Ghana and Senegal.
CAF reverts to two-year AFCON Read More
Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first England star to win the diadem after 25 years. The forward started his senior career at English side, Tottenham Hotspur and went on to spend more than 18 years at the club, scoring about 300 goals in all competitions. Despite the impressive goalscoring feat, he struggled for trophies, missing a number of them by a whisker. In an effort to turn around the trophyless career, the striker teamed up with German side, Bayern Munich in 2023 and since his arrival at the club, it has been one achievement to another, scooping the Bundesliga title among others. Following his eye-catching performances at the 2026 World Cup cum his terrific goalscoring displays for his club, he has been adjudged as the best player for 2026, clinching the top football prize and has expressed his delight for the feat, praising his formal club as well as his teammates. “I want to say thank you to Tottenham Hotspur. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Tottenham, for sure,” Kane said. “I was there from 11 years old. [With] all the guidance, the coaches, you allowed me to live my dream. “So, for sure, without all those moments together, all the ups and downs along the way of that journey has led me to this moment here today. So I just want to say thank you to Tottenham Hotspur. “To all my England teammates. We had a special year, it wasn’t the perfect year but we had a lot of good moments. “We built a great bond together, a lot of togetherness, the way we played and it is truly an honour to play and captain you. “This one is for all of us, for sure.” Kane has also lauded the impact of Bayern manager, Thomas Tuchel and the staff of the club for supporting him to win the award. “To Thomas Tuchel and the staff, the leadership, the way you drive us, the way you push standards, it is an honour to represent you.” Kane has scored more than 100 goals for Bayern in all competitions since joining the German club.
From zero to hero: Harry Kane wins Ballon d’Or Read More
Nigerian football is at its lowest level following the failure of the Super Eagles to nick a place at the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States of America, Mexico and Canada. The failure was the country’s second in a roll after missing the 2022 edition following a number of unpalatable decisions by the Nigeria Football Federation. The three-time African champions lost to Burkina Faso in the playoff via penalties after the team was held to a draw in the regular period. As a result, the hopes of many Nigerian fans of seeing their beloved side spring surprises at the global tournament went into flames. Many fans continue to nurse the unfortunate disaster, as if that was not enough, the Women’s team suffered an unexpected failure at the last edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations which hindered the team from qualifying authomatically for the next World Cup, the team again missed another glorious chance of redemption after losing a playoff game to South Africa. The hopes of seeing Nigeria team shine at the World Cup came to the limelight when the country’s U20 Women’s team nicked a place at the World Cup, unfortunately, the team failed to go past the quarterfinals after losing to Colombia. In an effort to turn around the misfortune of Nigeria football, FIFA visited Nigeria recently after many of the previous football administrators resigned. A number of football aficionados have suggested that former international, Segun Odegbami and other past Super Eagles stars should be given opportunities to lead the federation. In a recent podcast from former Chelsea star and Nigeria captain Mikel Obi, he claimed he would have loved to be involved in the federation but for corruption and other matters he felt happened in the last administration. It is high time Nigeria brought her former stars to bring to bear their experiences in the team by giving them opportunities to run the affairs of football in the country.
The way forward for Nigerian football Read More
Morocco have been ousted from the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16 after losing 2-0 to France to follow Egypt in exit on Thursday. Kylian Mbappe struck in the 59th minute to break the resilience of the African side after previously missing several chances, including a penalty. Ousmane Dembele then scored the second goal by unleaching a powerful shot into the right bottom-corner of the net after outwitting his marker. The French team who booked their place in the semifinals have now twice stopped Morocco from proceeding after a similar situation occured at the 2022 World Cup. Mbappe who won the Man-of-the-match for his efforts was substituted before the end of the game. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan claims foul after Argentina defeat Egypt coach Hossam Hassan claimed that the match between his side and Argentina was not fairly played after losing 3-2 in the round of 32. Hassan revealed that the officiating was subjective and claimed that Mohammed Salah’s strike that hit the back of the net should have been regarded as a goal after the centre referee ruled it out. The Egyptian legend also claimed that the third goal for Argentina should not have stood for a previous infringement.
Morocco follow Egypt into exit following Dembele and Mbappe’ strikes Read More Azzedine Ounahi scored twice to ensure Morocco secure a 3-0 victory over Canada and clinch a place in the quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup on Saturday. The forward opened the scoring in the 50th minute after he got a through pass from Achraf Hakimi, unleaching a ferocious shot into the bottom-corner of the net. Ounahi then completed his brace in the 82nd minute with a long-range shot into the top-corner of the net to ensure that Morocco become the first African country to secure a place in the last eight of the global tournament. Soufiane Rahimi put the icing on the cake when he bagged another goal at the death to ensure a complete demolition of the Canadians. Morocco will continue to rely on newly signed Bayern Munich star, Ismael Sambari and Paris Saint-Germain wingback, Hakimi in their next World Cup game. Egypt set for Argentina showdown Egypt are battle-ready for their …
Azzedine Ounahi inspires Morocco into quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup Read More
Egypt have joined Morocco in the round of 16 after securing a 1-1 (4-2 on penalties) against Australia at the ongoing 2026 World Cup on Friday. The Pharaohs raced into the lead in the 13th minute of the game through a strike from Emam Ashour before Mohammed Hany turned the ball into his own net to ensure that Australia levelled, therefore, forcing the game into an extra-time. Egypt made spirited effort to score but could not beat the defensive measure put in place by the Austrians, as the game entered into penalties. Mohammed Salah and Hossan Andelmaguid converted their efforts, as Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington threw away their chances which ensured that Egypt nicked a place in the next round of the competition. Egypt will face Argentina, the Lionel Messi’s side defeated another African team Cape Verde 3-2 on Saturday morning. The loss of Cape Verde to the Argentines is the first since the 2026 global tournament started after securing three draws in the group stage, including holding former champions Spain. Cape Verde have now joined Tunisia, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Algeria, DR Congo and Ghana who lost to Colombia in exit. Morocco will take on Canada for a chance to reach the last eight of the competition after securing a famous victory over Netherlands.
Egypt join Morocco in round of 16 of 2026 World Cup Read More
Riyad Mahrez has announced his retirement from international football after Algeria suffered a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday. Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye scored for the Swiss side to halt the progress of the African side and secure a place in the round of 16 of the tournament. The former Manchester City star gave a good account of himself, scoring a brace against Austria in his first game in the competition after missing the first match against Argentina, where the team suffered 3-0, with Lionel Messi bagging a hat-trick. The versatile forward featured for Algeria against Switzerland but could not help his side from losing in the game. Mahrez has now called time on his illustrious career after more than a decade with the national team, having made his debut in 2014. The forward won the African Footballer of the Year and BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2016 respectively before clinching the African Goal of the Year in 2019. He is regarded as one of the best wingers in Africa and shone for Lecicester City, where he helped the team to win the Premier League in 2016 as well as Le Havre and City, where is highly regarded.
Riyad Mahrez announces retirement after Algeria World Cup exit Read More
Five African teams have been ousted from the 2026 World Cup due to their defensive indisciplines, the latest being Senegal who surrendered their 2-0 lead to suffered 3-2 loss to Belgium. Many of the African teams started their games well but the resilience needed to complete them was not always there, with some of them losing at the death to their opponents to end their dreams of clinching the trophy for the first time. Senegal got an early lead against Belgium in the 25th minute through Habib Diarra and got the second in a spectacular manner through Ismaila Sarr. The Terenga Lions were able to sustain the lead until 86th minute before Napoli star, Romelu Lukaku reduced the deficit and just three minutes later, Youri Tielemans equalised to force the game into an extra-time. For Senegal to let go of a two-goal lead speaks volume of the defensive approach of the team, led by captain Kalidou Koulibaly. Senegal’s defenders could only watch helplessly as Tielesmans grabbed his second goal of the game after benefitting from a Video Assistant Referee’s judgement, thus ending the progress of the Terenga Lions in the competition. The wayout for African team DR Congo lost in a similar fashion as Senegal, surrendering their lead and early composure to England. Besides Senegal and DR Congo, South Africa and Ivory Coast as well as Tunisia are already out of the 2026 World Cup, only Morocco have managed to weather the storm and qualify for the round of 16 so far. To curb this noticeable flaw, African teams need to prepare psychologically for games, especially of this magnitude; the World Cup and coaches need to make intelligent tactical changes and enforce discipline, especially in the defence.
Defensive flaws: undoing of African teams, as Senegal bow out of 2026 World Cup Read More