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Four Nigerian Football Stars Nominated for 2024 FIFA Awards

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A remarkable achievement has emerged for Nigerian football as four players have earned nominations for the prestigious Best FIFA Awards 2024.

The list includes Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, Paul Onuachu, and Asisat Oshoala, each representing Nigeria in different categories, highlighting their exceptional performances over the past year.

Ademola Lookman, a standout player for Serie A side Atalanta, has been nominated in the Best Attacker category.

This recognition comes after a stellar season where Lookman demonstrated his remarkable goal-scoring ability and versatility on the field.

The 27-year-old was also ranked 14th in the Ballon d’Or standings, cementing his status as one of the top talents in world football.

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Lookman’s impressive form has made him a favorite for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, showcasing his dominance in African football and his continued rise to the top.

In another category, William Troost-Ekong, Nigeria’s stalwart center-back, has been nominated for the Best Defender award.

Troost-Ekong, known for his leadership at the back and crucial defensive contributions, was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

His remarkable performance during the tournament helped Nigeria secure a strong presence on the continental stage, and this nomination further acknowledges his consistency and importance to both club and country.

Meanwhile, forward Paul Onuachu, who is currently making waves with his remarkable goal-scoring abilities, is a contender for the highly coveted Puskas Award.

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The Puskas Award recognizes the most stunning goal of the year, and Onuachu’s memorable strike against Konyaspor in the 2023-24 Turkish Super Lig has earned him a spot on the shortlist.

The goal, scored on November 10, 2023, while Onuachu was on loan at Trabzonspor, showcased his clinical finishing and ability to shine on the big stage, making it one of the standout moments of the year.

Finally, Asisat Oshoala, one of the finest players in women’s football and a key member of the Super Falcons, has been nominated for the inaugural FIFA Marta Award.

This newly introduced award recognizes the best goal scored by a female player, and Oshoala’s nomination speaks to her incredible skill and determination on the pitch.

Oshoala, who has continually raised the profile of Nigerian women’s football, remains a trailblazer for African women in the sport, and her presence on this list is a testament to her excellence in the game.

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Ramon Planes Tells Lamine Yamal to Stay Focused and Not Rush Ballon d’Or Hype

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Former Barcelona director Ramon Planes has sent a clear message to young star Lamine Yamal, urging him to stay grounded despite the growing hype around his name, especially talks of him winning the Ballon d’Or this year.

Planes, who once played a key role behind the scenes at Barça, believes the 17-year-old still has a long way to go before being crowned the world’s best. He stressed that while Yamal’s rise has been remarkable, fans and the media need to be careful not to pile unnecessary pressure on him.

“There’s no doubt about his talent, but the real challenge is staying at that level for years,” Planes told Mundo Deportivo, as shared by Barca Universal. “We have to protect him and let him grow at his own pace. If he keeps performing like this for seasons to come, then we can start talking about awards like the Ballon d’Or. But right now, patience is key.”

Yamal has been making headlines with his incredible performances for both Spain and Barcelona. The teenager played a huge role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph and also helped Barça secure four trophies last season, including the LaLiga title, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de Espana.

Since breaking into Barcelona’s senior team under Xavi Hernandez in April 2023 at just 15 years old, Yamal has consistently proven himself as one of football’s brightest young prospects. Last season, he racked up 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches across all competitions, leaving many convinced he deserves to be recognised among the best in the world.

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But Planes insists it’s still early days for the young forward, and the football world must give him time to develop without overwhelming expectations.


 

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Super Falcons Start WAFCON Strong with 3-0 Win Over Tunisia

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The Super Falcons of Nigeria kicked off their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) journey with a confident 3-0 win over Tunisia on Sunday. Nigeria wasted no time making their mark, with Asisat Oshoala heading in a brilliant cross from Omorinsola Babajide just four minutes into the match.

Coach Justine Madugu’s side controlled the game from start to finish, keeping Tunisia quiet and leaving goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie with little to worry about. Deborah Abiodun almost doubled the lead before halftime after dancing past Tunisia’s defence, but the goalkeeper denied her.

Babajide eventually made it 2-0 just before the break with a calm finish, though Ashleigh Plumptre’s goal moments later was ruled out for a foul in the build-up. At the start of the second half, Madugu made changes, bringing on Chiwendu Ihezuo, Christy Ucheibe, and Esther Okoronkwo for Oshoala, Abiodun, and Babajide.

The Super Falcons remained dominant, with Plumptre and Osinachi Ohale both going close to adding to the scoreline. Ihezuo finally sealed the win, firing home Nigeria’s third goal with six minutes left on the clock. The nine-time African champions will now turn their attention to their next group game against Botswana on Wednesday.


 

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Ajibade Says Super Falcons is Ready to Battle for WAFCON Glory

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Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has assured fans that the team is ready to fight for glory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament kicks off today with hosts Morocco facing Ghana’s Copper Queens in the opening match.

Nigeria will begin their campaign on Sunday against Tunisia at the Labri Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. This will be only the second time both teams are meeting at WAFCON, with their first clash in 2008 ending goalless in Equatorial Guinea. The Super Falcons, who had a disappointing outing three years ago finishing fourth, are determined to bounce back and go for their tenth continental title.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Ajibade expressed confidence in the squad’s mindset. “We’re happy to be here and ready to give our all,” she said during a recent CAF webinar. “We know the road won’t be easy, but we’re prepared to give it everything.”


 

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