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Osimhen Left Stranded After Deadline Day Deals Collapse

Napoli has handed the No. 9 shirt to Romelo Lukaku, just as Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen’s move to either Chelsea or Al Ahli fell through. The 25-year-old striker was expected to leave on deadline day, but no deal happened

Delegates from Chelsea were in Naples until the final moments of the transfer window on Friday, before accepting a deal could not be done.

The Blues told Napoli they would take the reigning African player of the year on loan with an obligation to buy, but could not agree on personal terms with the forward. Meanwhile, Al Ahli signed Ivan Toney from Brentford for £40 million, despite agreeing to a deal to buy Osimhen earlier on Friday.

It was claimed the Saudi Pro League side had a bid worth £67m accepted by Napoli and offered Osimhen a four-year package worth £135m in wages and bonuses. Chelsea was unwilling to match the terms on offer in Saudi Arabia and did not want to overspend on the deal due to Profit and Sustainability regulations.

The Nigerian will remain in Naples following a breakdown in his relationship with the Napoli hierarchy. His name no longer appears on the club website, while new signing Lukaku is listed as their No. 9 shirt. He has also not been registered for the upcoming Serie A season and will most definitely train away from his teammates while he awaits the January transfer window.

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CAF Vows To Take ‘stern action’ after chaotic AFCON final scenes

African football’s governing body CAF, said Monday “appropriate action” would be taken against “those found guilty” after chaotic scenes marred the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. CAF did not attribute blame to either Senegal or Morocco. On Sunday’s final, most of the Senegalese players walked off in protest when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded hosts Morocco a penalty deep into time added on of normal time, with the match tied at 0-0.

A group of their fans fought with Moroccan security personnel at the other end of the stadium in Rabat. Once the players returned to the pitch, Senegal’s keeper Edouard Mendy saved the spot kick, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 in extra time.

“The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) condemns the unacceptable behaviour from some players and officials during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat last night,” read their statement.

“CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers.

“CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty.”

The Senegal players eventually returned after former Liverpool star Sadio Mane, one of the few of his team to remain on the pitch, remonstrated with them to do so.

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz, who had originally won the penalty, then sent his spot kick into the arms of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Senegal went on to win the final with a brilliant goal from Pape Gueye in extra time.

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AFCON 2025: 10 players hit Super Eagles camp

No fewer than 10 players have reported to the Super Eagles’ camp as preparations begin for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles’ camp officially opened on Sunday at the Renaissance Hotel, Cairo, with all coaches and backroom staff already in attendance ahead of the tournament. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was the first player to arrive, touching down shortly after 2 a.m. local time, signalling the start of full squad mobilisation. Uzoho was named as one of three goalkeepers in head coach Eric Chelle’s 28-man squad, marking his return to the national team setup after more than a year on the sidelines.

Stanley Nwabali followed as the second arrival, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro later arrived to raise the number in camp to four. Six more players, Amas Obasogie, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Igho Ogbu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Tochukwu Nnadi, arrived later, bringing the total number in camp to 10. More players are expected to join in the coming hours as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the continental showpiece.

The three-time African champions are scheduled to hold their first training session later on Sunday. As part of their preparations, the Super Eagles will play a friendly match against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium.

Nigeria will head into the 2025 AFCON looking to build on their runners-up finish at the last tournament, where they lost 2–1 to hosts Ivory Coast in the final. The Super Eagles are aiming for a fourth continental crown, having previously won the competition in 1980, 1994, and 2013. The 2025 AFCON kicks off in Morocco on December 21 and is expected to end on January 18, 2026.

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Tinubu honours Super Falcons with ₦150m, houses, national awards after WAFCON victory

President Bola Tinubu has rewarded members of the Super Falcons with ₦150 million, three-bedroom apartments each, and national honours following their victory at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The President hosted the players and the technical crew at the State House on Monday, days after the Falcons defeated hosts Morocco 3-2 in a dramatic final to clinch Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title.

While presenting the team with their rewards, Tinubu praised their resilience, courage, and determination, describing the victory as “historic” and “inspirational.”

“On behalf of the grateful nation, I hereby confer on the players and the 11-man technical team the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON),” the President said.

“I hereby allocate a three-bedroom apartment to each of the players and technical crew. In addition, there’s a cash award of the naira equivalent of $100,000 (₦150 million) to the 24 players and $50,000 (₦75 million) to the technical team member.”

The announcement was met with cheers and dancing, as members of the team jumped around the Villa, chanting, “Na our papa be this o.”

Tinubu also admitted he didn’t watch the final live due to nerves.

“I didn’t want to watch the match. I said I didn’t want to develop high blood pressure,” he joked.

Nigeria’s win in Rabat was a thrilling comeback, with goals from Uchenna Kanu, Asisat Oshoala and Jennifer Echegini sealing the victory after going two goals behind.

The win reinforces the Super Falcons’ dominance in African women’s football, with the team now holding 10 WAFCON titles, the most on the continent.

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