Sport
Four Nigerian Football Stars Nominated for 2024 FIFA Awards

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.
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.
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.
Sport
Juventus Denies Transfer Interest in Victor Osimhen

Juventus Scouting Director Giorgio Chiellini has made it clear that the club has no involvement in the ongoing rumours linking Victor Osimhen to Turin. The Nigerian striker has been at the centre of transfer speculation this summer, with reports suggesting Juventus and other European clubs are interested in securing his services.
Osimhen recently completed a season-long loan spell with Galatasaray from Napoli, and the 26-year-old is expected to make a decision about his future soon. However, Chiellini dismissed the Juventus rumours, saying, “We have nothing to do with Osimhen. People need to fill pages and create stories. We read all sorts of things that make us laugh. You talk, we work.”
Juventus already boast Dušan Vlahović and Randal Kolo Muani in attack and are close to adding former Lille striker Jonathan David to their squad this summer.
Sport
Gonzalo Garcia’s Goal Helps Real Madrid Pass Juventus Into Club World Cup Quarter-Finals

Real Madrid have booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Club World Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Juventus. The Spanish giants were tipped as favourites heading into the Round of 16 clash but struggled to break down the Italian side in the first half. It was Gonzalo Garcia who made the difference, nodding home a well-placed cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 54th minute to seal the win.
Despite Real’s dominance, Juve’s goalkeeper Michele di Gregorio put in a brilliant performance to keep the scoreline close. Xabi Alonso’s men now advance to the last eight, where they’ll meet either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey for a place in the semi-finals.
Sport
Osayi-Samuel Says Super Eagles Can Still Qualify for 2026 World Cup if They Stay United

Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has expressed confidence that Nigeria still has a strong shot at qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the slow start to their qualifying campaign.
Speaking to journalists during the final of the second edition of the Bright Osayi Football Tournament for under-13 players, held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the Fenerbahçe star shared his belief in the team’s ability to bounce back.
According to him, the players are determined to fight for qualification and are fully behind head coach Eric Chelle’s vision. “I believe we can still make it. The goal is to go out and win every match,” Osayi-Samuel said. “It won’t be easy, but we believe in ourselves and the team.”
He added that with the right mindset and unity, the Super Eagles can turn their situation around. The Nigerian international also praised Chelle, describing him as a brilliant coach whose style the team has embraced. “For me, the coach is doing a great job. His approach, the way he wants us to press and run, the entire team is on board with it,” he explained.
Osayi-Samuel pointed to their recent solid performance against a tough Russian side, mentioning that progress is being made. “In our last match against Russia, we held our ground against a team that had gone unbeaten in six or seven games. If we keep pushing together, I believe we have a real chance,” he concluded.
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