The company’s Site Manager, Yasser Alshamah, gave the assurance while speaking with journalists during an inspection of the project at the stadium.

Alshamah said the company had three months to complete the roofing works assigned to it and was working according to an agreed schedule.

“We have three months to complete the roofing of the stadium. We have no choice.

“Our scope is to roof some sections of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. We have a work programme and schedule. By the grace of God, and with the support of everyone, we will complete the aluminium sheet roofing on time,” he said.

Explaining the design of the stadium, Alshamah said the circular structure was necessary to achieve the intended architectural form of the facility.

“It is necessary for the stadium to be round. If it is not round, something is wrong. The front has to be round,” he said.

Also speaking, the Site Agent, Emezie Ikeanyionwu, said work was currently focused on laying the foundation columns that would support the canopy for the stadium’s umbrella roofing.

“We are working according to the timeframe and schedule.

“These are the reinforced foundation layouts that will carry the canopy of the stadium,” he said.

The Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium is among the facilities being prepared to host the 2026 National Sports Festival in Enugu State.

The assurance comes as preparations intensify ahead of the festival, with contractors and authorities working to ensure that the stadium and other critical facilities are ready before the commencement of the sporting event.

NFF President Lise Klaveness made the announcement on Friday, stating that the federation had resolved to seek Infantino’s resignation following a meeting of its governing bodies.

“He does not have the institutional trust required to lead FIFA in a stable manner in the current climate. There is no turning back for Gianni Infantino,” Klaveness told reporters.

She added that the Norwegian federation would formally ask the FIFA president to step down.

The call comes months before FIFA’s presidential election, where Infantino is seeking a fourth and final term in office.

The Italian-Swiss lawyer, who has led FIFA since 2016, is currently the only declared candidate for the election scheduled for March next year. To secure another term, he must obtain a majority of votes from FIFA’s 211 member associations.

Candidates interested in contesting the election have until November 18 to declare their intention.

Infantino has faced growing criticism in recent weeks following the collapse of his proposal to open FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.

The failed initiative has intensified scrutiny of his leadership and prompted fresh calls for change within world football’s governing body.

AFP

CAF made the clarification after its President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, confirmed during Wednesday’s press conference that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 will feature 24 participating national teams.

In a statement shared on its official X account on Thursday, CAF described media reports suggesting otherwise as false.

“At Wednesday’s press conference, CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe confirmed that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 2027 will have 24 National Teams. Media reports suggesting otherwise is untrue. The AFCON 2027 will be played in June-July 2027 and the Qualifiers will start in September/October 2026,” the statement read.

The football governing body stressed that no decision had been taken to alter the number of participating teams, urging the public to disregard contrary reports.

CAF also confirmed that the tournament will be held in June and July 2027, while the qualification campaign is scheduled to begin in September/October 2026.

The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with preparations for the continental showpiece continuing.

The clarification effectively ends speculation over a possible expansion or restructuring of the tournament as African national teams prepare for the qualifying series.

Messi achieved the milestone during Argentina’s 2-1 comeback victory over England in Wednesday’s semi-final, delivering another standout performance to help his side secure a place in the final.

The 39-year-old completed nine successful dribbles and registered two assists, with Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scoring the goals that sealed Argentina’s comeback win.

According to official FIFA World Cup statistics released on Wednesday, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has now recorded 24 successful dribbles in the tournament, moving ahead of Yamal, who has 22.

Brazil’s Vinicius Junior occupies third place with 16 successful dribbles, while Germany’s Jamal Musiala and France’s Michael Olise are joint fourth after recording 15 successful dribbles each.

Top successful dribblers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

• Lionel Messi – 24
• Lamine Yamal – 22
• Vinicius Junior – 16
• Jamal Musiala – 15
• Michael Olise – 15
• Ibrahim Maza – 14
• Kylian Mbappe – 14
• Jude Bellingham – 13
• Julio Enciso – 13

Punch

Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Infantino said Trump would be present at MetLife Stadium on July 19 for the tournament’s final match and would join him in presenting the trophy to the winning team.

According to the FIFA president, the pair are expected to participate together in the post-match celebrations and award presentation.

The announcement marks a significant role for the U.S. president at the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Although Trump has not attended any World Cup matches so far, members of his administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have been present at games during the competition.

Trump’s appearances at major sporting events have often drawn mixed reactions from spectators. He was recently met with boos from sections of the crowd during Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

A similar reaction occurred during the trophy presentation ceremony at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in New Jersey, where Trump joined officials on stage after Chelsea’s victory.

Following that ceremony, Chelsea captain Reece James said he had expected the U.S. president to leave the stage after presenting the trophy but was surprised when he remained with the team during the celebrations.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is expected to attract a global audience and will bring together political leaders, football officials and fans from around the world for the tournament’s climax.

People Gazette

The victory marked a perfect start for the defending champions, while Messi etched his name further into football history by equalling the World Cup all-time scoring record with 16 goals.

The Argentine captain also achieved another remarkable milestone before kick off, becoming the first player to feature in six FIFA World Cup tournaments during his 200th international appearance.

Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a superb curling effort, moving level with some of the tournament’s greatest goalscorers.

He doubled Argentina’s lead in the second half after reacting quickest to a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot, taking his World Cup tally to 15 goals.

The 38-year-old completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a composed finish from the edge of the penalty area, drawing level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose as the competition’s joint all-time leading scorer.

Messi received a standing ovation from supporters when he was substituted shortly after completing his treble.

Elsewhere, France opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal, thanks largely to a brace from Kylian Mbappe.

The French forward’s double saw him surpass Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading goalscorer, taking his international tally to 58 goals.

France coach Didier Deschamps praised Mbappe’s performance, describing him as a player capable of deciding matches in an instant.

In another World Cup fixture, Norway defeated Iraq 4-1, with Erling Haaland marking his World Cup debut with two goals.

The Manchester City striker scored either side of Iraq’s equaliser before Norway added two more goals to secure a comfortable victory.

Haaland’s brace increased his international goal tally to 57 goals in just 51 appearances for Norway.

Argentina’s victory places them in a strong position in Group J as they continue their quest to retain the World Cup title they won in Qatar in 2022.

AFP

Sonko made the remarks during an interview with RFI and France 24 in Dakar on Monday, where he discussed Senegal’s chances against the reigning opponents in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener.

The Senegalese lawmaker said he believes his country will secure victory, while also reflecting on the large number of players of African origin in the French national team.

“I think Senegal will win. At least, that’s my hope, like every Senegalese person,” he said.

He added that beyond the sporting contest, the match carries a broader symbolic meaning connected to Africa’s contribution to global football talent.

“In any case, it’s only a football match. But if you want to look at the match politically, then whoever wins, Africa will have beaten Africa,” Sonko said.

According to him, the composition of the French squad highlights the role Africa plays in producing world-class talent and should encourage deeper reflection on the continent’s value in global affairs.

He noted that Africa possesses vast human and natural resources, a youthful population and a strategic global position that should be better recognised in international relations.

Sonko also suggested that such realities should influence discussions around migration and Africa’s relationship with Western countries.

“The message I always give to Africans is that if we understand our own value and embrace it ,we have natural resources, we have human resources, a rapidly growing and overwhelmingly young population and a strategic position then I believe the balance of needs is not where people often think it is,” he said.

The remarks came during a broader interview in which he also discussed Senegal’s domestic politics, economic development, and regional security issues in West Africa.

Sonko was elected Speaker of the National Assembly in May, shortly after serving as Prime Minister under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

The encounter appeared headed for a goalless draw before Amad struck in the 90th minute, calmly finishing off a well-worked move initiated by Wilfried Singo to hand the Elephants a crucial opening-day victory.

The defeat brought an end to Ecuador’s impressive 19-match unbeaten run, which had lasted nearly two years.

Ecuador created several chances throughout the contest but were repeatedly denied by bad luck and resilient defending. John Yeboah, Alan Minda and captain Enner Valencia all hit the woodwork as the South Americans struggled to find a breakthrough.

Ivory Coast also threatened, with Elye Wahi striking the crossbar early in the second half, while goalkeeper Yahia Fofana produced a number of key saves to keep Ecuador at bay.

Speaking after the match, Amad said the team remains determined to make a significant impact at the tournament.

“We came here to make history. We still have two more matches ahead of us, and we need to approach them with the same mentality and try to win them,” he said.

The victory puts Ivory Coast in a strong position in Group E ahead of their next fixture against Germany, while Ecuador will look to bounce back when they face Curaçao in their second group game.

The four-time world champions made the perfect start when Felix Nmecha scored after just six minutes, registering the fastest goal of the tournament so far.

However, Curaçao stunned the German side midway through the first half when Livano Comenencia found the back of the net to score his country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal, sparking celebrations among the Caribbean nation’s supporters.

The equaliser briefly disrupted Germany’s rhythm, but Julian Nagelsmann’s men quickly responded. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck restored the lead with a header before Kai Havertz converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time to give Germany a 3-1 advantage heading into the break.

Germany wasted little time extending their lead after the restart, with Jamal Musiala scoring moments into the second half to put the result beyond doubt.

Nathaniel Brown and substitute Deniz Undav added their names to the scoresheet as Germany continued to dominate proceedings, while Havertz completed his brace late in the game to cap an impressive performance.

The victory saw six different German players score, highlighting the attacking quality and depth within a squad considered among the favourites for the tournament.

Despite the heavy defeat, Curaçao secured a memorable milestone through Comenencia’s goal, which marked the nation’s first-ever strike at a FIFA World Cup in their debut appearance at the competition.

The emphatic win puts Germany in a strong position in Group E and sends an early warning to their rivals, while Curaçao will seek to recover in their next fixture as they continue their historic World Cup campaign.

The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicks off on Thursday, with the final scheduled to take place next month at the New York New Jersey Stadium, formerly known as MetLife Stadium.

City officials unveiled “Thierry Henry Way” at the intersection of West 50th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan as part of activities celebrating the global football event.

Henry, a former France international who helped his country win the 1998 FIFA World Cup, joined the ceremony through a video call. The ex-Arsenal and Barcelona forward also enjoyed a successful spell in Major League Soccer with New York Red Bulls, where he played for five seasons before retiring in 2014.

In a similar gesture, New York authorities renamed the intersection of Shea Road and Meridian Road in Queens after Brazilian football icon Pele.

Officials said the honorary street names will remain in place until November 1, serving as a tribute to the two football greats and their impact on the sport worldwide.

The initiative is part of efforts to celebrate the World Cup and highlight New York’s role as one of the tournament’s key host cities.

AFP