Nigeria will go into Friday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier sitting in fourth place in Group C.

This follows Benin Republic’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda on Thursday.

Douko Dodo scored the only goal of the game for Gernot Rohr’s men in the 37th minute.

It was the Beninoise’s first win in the qualifying campaign.

They went into the match following eight games without a win (four defeats, four draws).

The win takes Benin from bottom to second position on four points, while Rwanda, also on four points, remain in first position.

Up next for Benin Republic is a tough fixture against the Super Eagles on Monday, 10 June in Abidjan.

There is tension in the Super Eagles’ camp, as Daniel Amokachi is yet to show up, with only a few days to the 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa.

Amokachi’s absence has raised questions about his role as one of Finidi George’s assistant coaches.

However, sources tell DAILY POST that he has rejected the contract offered by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

This comes amid speculations that Amokachi and Finidi are not on good terms.

Amokachi was one of the assistants announced by the NFF alongside Benjamin James, Olatunji Baruwa, Chima Onyeike, and Mehmet Ozturk.

But there are suggestions that the NFF imposed Amokachi on Finidi.

This led to NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, debunking the rumours.

“I am very happy when we unveiled Finidi to Nigeria.

“The NFF Technical Director put all the names on the list and they chose the best they felt would work.

“All the names you saw as assistants to Finidi were chosen by him,” Gusau said.

Manchester United have decided to retain the services of three players eligible for Nigerian national teams in the persons of Habeeb Ogunneye, Max Oyedele and Victor Musa.

The players are among those to make the Red Devils’ U24 team for next season.

Others in the team include Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Mason Greenwood and Rasmus Hojlund.

Ogunneye made the matchday squad on nine occasions for the Red Devils last season but did not feature in any game.

The 18-year-old made his Premier League 2 debut against Crystal Palace last August.

Meanwhile, Musa and Oyedele are still waiting to be named in the senior squad but are taking positive steps in their development.

They will be hoping that in a matter of time, Erik ten Hag would find them worthy to play among the senior players at Old Trafford.

Chelsea have decided not to loan out Romelu Lukaku again and also ended their interest in Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, BBC reports.

Lukaku has spent the last two seasons away from Stamford Bridge at Inter Milan and Roma.

But the Blues are eager to recoup some of the £98million transfer fee they paid to sign the striker from Inter in 2021.

Some reports claimed Lukaku could move to Napoli, potentially in a swap with Osimhen.

But Chelsea have ended their interest in the Super Eagles striker.

They have also put an asking price of £37m on Lukaku, who earns around £325,000-per-week and there is said to be interest from Milan and Napoli.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has been appointed the new boss of Napoli on a three-year deal.

The 54-year-old has not managed a club since he left Spurs by mutual consent in March 2023 after 16 months in charge.

Despite a disappointing time in North London, Conte has had a decorated coaching career after winning the Premier League in his first season at Chelsea (2016-17) and the FA Cup in his second before being sacked in 2018.

The announcement came in a Wednesday statement titled “Antonio Conte Named New Napoli Coach,” obtained from the club’s website.

“SSC Napoli is delighted to welcome Antonio Conte to the club as first-team coach, with the Italian penning a contract that runs until 30 June 2027.

“I’m so proud that Antonio Conte is Napoli’s new coach,” stated club president Aurelio De Laurentiis. “Antonio is a top coach and a leader, so I’m convinced that we’ll be able to rebuild the foundations in the way that we need to following the conclusion of the cycle that led us to Scudetto glory last year after many years at the top of Italian football. An important, new chapter in Napoli’s history gets under way today.”

“Napoli is a club of huge importance on the international stage,” revealed Conte.

“I’m happy and excited by the idea of taking my seat in the Napoli dugout. I can certainly promise one thing: I’ll give my all to develop the team and the club. I’m fully committed to the task at hand, as are my staff,” the Italian added.

Conte, who guided Inter Milan to their first Serie A title in 11 years back in 2021, further noted, “I can certainly promise one thing, I will do my utmost for the growth of the team and the club. My commitment, together with that of my staff, will be total.”

He also guided a dominant Juventus to three Serie A titles in a row between 2011 and 2014.

Napoli, who won Serie A for the first time in 33 years last year, have struggled to replicate that achievement and finished tenth in the league.

Their poor form resulted in Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona joining the club in February on a short-term deal to the end of the season, after sacking manager Walter Mazzarri after just three months in charge.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted that Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid is “not good news.”

Madrid have confirmed that Mbappe will be joining them as a free agent.

Laporta, speaking to Mundo Deportivo, said: “As a Barça fan, it’s not good news to see Mbappé to Real Madrid.

“But to be honest, I prefer our strategy to trust a project with players produced and made in La Masia.

“I respect our rivals but I keep our Philosophy.”

Mbappe will wear the No. 9 shirt at the Bernabeu after agreeing a five-year deal.

The Nationwide League One has changed venues of some of its upcoming promotion playoff matches.

The playoff matches which was scheduled for the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi on June 9-10 have been moved to another state.

The matches will now be played at the New Jos Stadium, Jos and the FIFA Goal Project Stadium Abuja.

The NLO stated that the move was necessitated due to a situation report within the community and to forestall breakdown of law and order which will eventually save life and properties.

They however expressed regrets over the inconveniences the development might have caused participating teams.

The matches involving Police Barreta versus Jnr Danburam and Yoca Crocodile versus Barau FC will be played in Abuja while Basira FC versus Family Worship FC will take place in Jos.

Al Nassr forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has reacted after Real Madrid confirmed Kylian Mbappe’s move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Mbappe, who left PSG as a free agent, joined Madrid on a five-year deal on Monday.

Following the announcement, several players and pundits posted messages congratulating the 25-year-old.

These included the likes of Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni and Vinicius Junior, who will be playing with Mbappe at Madrid next season.

But perhaps the biggest message came from Ronaldo, who is Mbappe’s childhood hero.

Ronaldo wrote on Instagram: “Excited to see you light up the Bernabeu!”

Arsenal have announced that 22 players will leave the club at the end of their contracts this summer.

The Premier League club confirmed this in a statement on Monday.

It read in part: “We are saying goodbye to the following men’s players and scholars, and have also included the three women’s players we have previously announced will also be departing.”

Players in alphabetical order:

Mauro Bandeira
Omari Benjamin
Luis Brown
Catalin Cirjan
Noah Cooper
Sabrina D’Angelo
Henry Davies
Ovie Ejeheri
Mohamed Elneny
Taylor Foran
Hubert Graczyk
James Hillson
Henry Jeffcott
Tyreece John-Jules
Alex Kirk
James Lannin-Sweet
Kaylan Marckese
Vivianne Miedema
Arthur Okonkwo
Kamarni Ryan
Cedric Soares
Kido Taylor-Hart

The statement added that “the following players’ contracts also expire on June 30.

“Discussions are ongoing and once matters are finalised between all parties, we will communicate in due course.”

The players involved are: Amario Cozier-Duberry, Karl Hein and Reuell Walters.

Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has credited the club’s tradition and the lack of egos in his squad for their 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in this season’s Champions League final.

The Spanish giants have now won the competition for a record-extending 15th time.

However, for most of the first half, it seemed Dortmund were going to cause an upset.

But goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr after the break, ensured Los Blancos won yet another final.

“It is the history and tradition of the club, of course the quality of the players, the club is a family, we work together without problems and the atmosphere is really good in the dressing room.

“I need to thank the club and the players, no big egos, really humble, it was not difficult to manage the squad this season,” Ancelotti told TNT Sports.

Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham, has described it as the “best night of my life” after they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in Saturday’s Champions League final.

Bellingham was off colour against his former club, but second half goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr ensured they clinched their 15th title.

“I’ve always dreamt of playing in these games. You go through life with people telling you that you can’t do things.

“Days like this remind you. It gets hard sometimes and you wonder whether it’s worth it but nights like this make you realise.

“I was alright until I saw my mum and dad. Nights like where they could have been at home by 7 o’clock but they’re out until 12 on trips to take me to football. And my little brother who I’m trying to be a role model for. The best night of my life,” Bellingham told TNT Sports.

Scottish Premiership giants, Rangers have confirmed that Leon Balogun has signed a contract extension ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Balogun rejoined Rangers for a second spell last summer.

The experienced centre-back arrived Ibrox for the first time in 2020.

The Nigerian enjoyed a successful first spell in Glasgow, playing a crucial part in the title winning season in 2020/21 and lifting the Scottish Cup in 2021/22.

“I am very, very happy and privileged to be able to extend my contract at a club like Rangers. I have said in the past I wish I could’ve been here sooner in my career because it fuels the fire to succeed all the time.

“I want to win more trophies here and win more titles. As a player, you want to make sure you are part of the history of this club because there are not many places in the world where there is a greater honour or a greater privilege.”

There are fears that FIFA wants to impose 18-team leagues around the world, including the Premier League.

According to the UK Sun, this is due to the expansion of the Club World Cup.

The world football governing body has already announced plans to hold a 32-team tournament in the US next summer.

Teams like Manchester City, Real Madrid and Chelsea all are expected to participate.

But clubs across Europe’s top leagues have major concerns about the toll this will take on players.

They are worried that FIFA will try to deal with this issue by reducing the number of teams in every league to 18, meaning each club would play 34 games instead of 38.

Uruguay striker, Edinson Cavani, has announced his retirement from international football on Thursday.

The 37-year-old is his country’s second all-time leading scorer and third most-capped player, with 58 goals in 136 appearances.

Cavani, who currently plays for Boca Juniors, wrote on social media: “I have been and always will be blessed to have pulled on this shirt to represent what I love most in the world, my country.

“I want to dedicate myself to this new stage of my career and give everything I have to where I need to be.

“Today I’ve decided to retire, but I’ll always follow you with my heart pounding, just like when I played in that beautiful shirt.”

Cavani made his debut for Uruguay in 2008 and played at four World Cups.

He also won the 2011 Copa America in Argentina.

UEFA have informed Manchester United that they have until Monday to find a resolution that will allow them play in the Europa League next season, the UK Telegraph reports.

This is because United’s co-owner, Sir Jam Ratcliffe, also owns Nice who qualified for the same competition.

The Red Devils qualified, thanks to winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City, despite finishing in eighth place in the Premier League.

Ratcliffe’s ownership of two other teams – French side Nice and Swiss club Lausanne – puts him in contravention of UEFA’s rules.

European football’s governing body states that the same owner or entity is not permitted to have “decisive influence” across two or more clubs competing in the same competition.

Nice finished fifth in Ligue 1 this season and because they finished higher in their league than United, it is the Red Devils who could be forced to drop into the Europa Conference League, unless a solution is found.

Chelsea have finally agreed on five-year deal with Leicester City coach Enzo Maresca to become their new manager after Mauricio Pochettino’s exit a few days ago.

This was disclosed by respected football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

In a tweet via his X account on Tuesday, Romano said Maresca’s contract with Chelsea is valid until June 2029.

“Chelsea have agreed to appoint Enzo Maresca as new head coach, here we go!

“Understand the agreement is now done on contract valid until June 2029, five year deal. It will also include an option to extend until June 2030.

“#CFC, set to pay compensation fee to Leicester,” Romano tweeted.

Chelsea are expected to pay Leicester City a compensation for Maresca.

Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala has won the UEFA Women’s Champions Goal of the Season award.

Oshoala’s stunning bicycle kick for Barcelona in a matchday one encounter against Benfica was selected by UEFA’s Technical Observer panel.

The striker’s former Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati took second spot for her bending effort in the quarter-final second-leg win against Brann.

Lyon’s Delphine Cascarino came third for her long-range strike in the quarter-final second-leg victory over Benfica.

Oshoala quit Barcelona for National Women Soccer League (NWSL) club Bay FC in February.

On her NWSL debut, she scored Bay FC’s winner in the 1-0 victory over Angels City.

Girona’s head coach, Miguel Ángel Michel, is believed to be in line to replace Pep Guardiola if he steps down as Manchester City’s manager, according to Daily Mail.

Guardiola is now expected to leave the Premier League champions when his current contract expires in June 2025.

After winning a fourth straight league title last week, the Spaniard told Sky Sports: “The reality is I’m closer to leaving than to staying.

“It’s eight years, it will be nine. Right now my feeling is I want to stay next season.”

If Guardiola moves on, City would consider Michel for the role.

Michel has impressed a lot of observers this season, with Girona leading the way for most of the season, before finishing third and qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Girona are also part of the City Football Group.

Kylian Mbappe played his last match for Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, winning the French Cup against Lyon.

The Ligue 1 champions won 2-1, thanks to goals from Ousmane Dembele and Fabio Ruiz.

Jake O’Biren pulled one back for Lyon in the second, before PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a superb save minutes later.

PSG, who are the Ligue 1 and French Super Cup champions, have now secured a record-extending 15th Cup title and first since 2021.

However, they were only able to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, where Borussia Dortmund eliminated them.

Mbappe leaves as a free agent and is widely expected to sign for Real Madrid.