The report, published on Tuesday, said FIFA’s legal officials had privately determined that Congo breached player eligibility rules involving goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.

Mpasi had previously represented France at youth level and was required to complete documentation to switch his international allegiance before representing Congo.

Despite the concerns over his eligibility, FIFA allowed the goalkeeper to continue playing for Congo, which later defeated Jamaica in March to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

The revelation has renewed questions over FIFA’s handling of Nigeria’s complaint against Congo following the Super Eagles’ defeat to the Central African side in the African play-off final in November 2025.

Nigeria’s loss denied the Super Eagles a place at the World Cup for a second consecutive edition, having also missed the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

The Nigeria Football Federation filed a complaint with FIFA in December 2025, challenging the eligibility of several Congo players, including Mpasi.

According to The New York Times, documents and correspondence reviewed by the newspaper showed that FIFA officials considered several possible sanctions against Congo. These included awarding the match to Nigeria, imposing a fine, replacing Congo with Nigeria in the play-off against Jamaica, or taking no action on the grounds that Nigeria’s complaint was filed late.

Under FIFA regulations, fielding an ineligible player can result in a team forfeiting the match in which the player featured.

FIFA has previously imposed such sanctions. In 2016, Greece was punished after fielding an ineligible player who had previously represented Australia at youth level, while Bolivia had two World Cup qualifying results changed in 2018 after it was found to have used an ineligible player.

Former NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau said he was informed that Nigeria’s complaint had been rejected on technical grounds but was not told that FIFA had identified an eligibility issue involving Mpasi.

“They just kept quiet, and they can’t tell anyone because they know it’s going to be a serious crisis for them,” Gusau told The New York Times, while calling for an investigation.

The report also raised questions about FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s relationship with African football officials, particularly Véron Mosengo-Omba, who was preparing to contest for the presidency of the Congolese football federation while FIFA was reviewing the eligibility case.

Mosengo-Omba later emerged as the sole candidate and was elected president after other contenders withdrew or were disqualified following changes to the federation’s eligibility rules.

However, Mosengo-Omba said he was unaware of FIFA’s findings concerning Mpasi’s eligibility.

The revelations have also drawn attention from CONCACAF, which said concerns over player eligibility must be properly investigated where they could affect the integrity of a competition or the interests of member associations.

Leão, who usually wears No. 17 for Portugal, has been listed as the No. 7 player on the official squad sheet for Thursday’s match against Denmark in Copenhagen and Sunday’s home fixture against Norway.

A football transfer expert reported on Thursday that UEFA had confirmed the change following Ronaldo’s departure.

“UEFA confirm Rafael Leão has been listed as Portugal No7 for the next two games following Cristiano leaving,” the report stated.

Newly called-up forward Fábio Silva has been assigned Leão’s previous No. 17 shirt.

The change follows UEFA Nations League regulations requiring the 23 players selected for a matchday squad to wear consecutive numbers from 1 to 23 without gaps.

Ronaldo left the Portugal camp on Wednesday after being named an unused substitute in the team’s 2-1 victory over Norway on Sunday.

The 41-year-old had started Portugal’s previous match, a 1-0 win over Wales, which was Jorge Jesus’ first game in charge of the national team.

Portugal currently sit top of Group A4 after winning their opening two matches and will face Denmark at Parken Stadium on Thursday before hosting Norway at the Estádio do Dragão on Sunday.

Franculino Dju opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Mama Baldé doubled the hosts’ advantage in the second half. Álvaro Djaló then completed the victory in stoppage time as Guinea-Bissau secured their second consecutive win in Group L.

Nigeria struggled to create clear scoring opportunities throughout much of the encounter, while the hosts were more effective in front of goal and capitalised on gaps in the Super Eagles’ defence.

Dju put Guinea-Bissau ahead after receiving a pass from Renato Nhaga before curling a left-footed effort into the far corner, beyond the reach of Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

The Super Eagles tried to respond and came close to restoring parity, but Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Djoco Embadje denied Ademola Lookman after the forward was played through by Alex Iwobi.

Guinea-Bissau held on to their advantage to take a 1-0 lead into half-time.

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle made two changes at the start of the second half, bringing on Moses Simon and Moses Usor as the Super Eagles searched for an equaliser.

The changes, however, did little to prevent the hosts from extending their lead.

Guinea-Bissau doubled their advantage in the 66th minute when Baldé received the ball from Mamadi Camará on the left before cutting into the box and firing a low effort past Nwabali.

Chelle made further changes in the 75th minute, introducing George Ilenikhena and Raphael Onyedika for Akor Adams and Wilfred Ndidi.

Nigeria later came close to reducing the deficit when Ilenikhena found space inside the penalty area, but Embadje made another important save to deny the young forward.

Guinea-Bissau remained organised as the match entered its final stages and eventually added a third goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Djaló received a through ball from Tamble Monteiro before finishing with his right foot to make it 3-0.

The result gives Guinea-Bissau six points from their opening two matches after they began their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 away victory over Tanzania.

Nigeria, meanwhile, remain on three points after opening their campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo.

The defeat leaves the Super Eagles with work to do in Group L, where only one team will qualify automatically alongside co-hosts Tanzania.

Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the tournament’s co-hosts, leaving Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar to compete for the remaining qualifying spot.

Guinea-Bissau currently lead the group with six points, while Nigeria have three points and Madagascar one after two matches.

The Super Eagles will resume their qualifying campaign in November, with the team needing to recover from the heavy defeat and strengthen its position in the group.

Harimoto was one of the most accomplished players in the history of Japanese professional baseball, finishing his 23-year career with a record 3,085 hits.

He remains the only player in Nippon Professional Baseball to have reached the 3,000-hit mark.

Beyond his impressive batting record, Harimoto finished his career with 504 home runs and 319 stolen bases. He was also selected for 18 All-Star games and won seven batting titles.

His achievements earned him a place in the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

Harimoto was born Jang Hun in Hiroshima in 1940 to Korean parents. His childhood was marked by both discrimination and a serious injury that affected his right hand.

A childhood accident left the hand badly burned, limiting movement in some of his fingers. He subsequently learned to bat and throw left-handed and used a specially designed glove.

At the age of five, Harimoto was in Hiroshima when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city on August 6, 1945.

He later recalled how his mother protected him and his sister with her body during the blast. One of his sisters was killed in the bombing.

Years later, Harimoto would overcome those early challenges to establish himself as one of Japan’s most recognisable baseball figures.

He began his professional career with the Toei Flyers in 1959 and remained with the club for 16 seasons. He subsequently played for the Yomiuri Giants and Lotte Orions before retiring in 1981 after 2,752 games.

His best period came in the late 1960s, when he won four consecutive batting titles from 1967 to 1970. That achievement was later equalled by Ichiro Suzuki.

Harimoto also played a role in the development of professional baseball beyond Japan. In 1982, he helped with the launch of South Korea’s professional KBO league before establishing a second career as a baseball commentator and analyst.

The Golden Players Club, known as Meikyukai, mourned his death and paid tribute to his contribution to Japanese baseball.

Harimoto’s story extended well beyond the baseball field. From surviving one of history’s most devastating attacks to overcoming a childhood disability and discrimination, he went on to build a career that made him one of Japan’s most celebrated sporting figures.

The appointment follows the dismissal of Justin Madugu and his technical crew last month, with the NFF saying Eguavoen’s role is temporary as the federation continues its search for a substantive head coach for the women’s senior national team.

The NFF announced the development in a statement on Tuesday.

“Former Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen will lead Nigeria’s Senior Women’s National Team, the Super Falcons, on an interim basis for their 2028 Olympic Games qualifying fixtures against Comoros in October, as the search for a substantive head coach for the team continues,” the federation stated.

Madugu and his technical crew were directed to step aside on August 17, following Nigeria’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Super Falcons, who entered the WAFCON as defending champions, were eliminated after a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon before suffering a 2-1 loss to South Africa in the World Cup qualifying play-off.

The setback ended Nigeria’s record of featuring in every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991.

Eguavoen, popularly known as ‘Cerezo’, will be assisted by Nasarawa Amazons coach Christopher Danjuma, while former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa will serve as goalkeeper trainer.

Former Super Falcons defender Ayisat Yusuf has also been appointed as an assistant coach.

Eguavoen has previously managed the Super Eagles at senior international level and led Nigeria to a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Danjuma also has experience with Nigeria’s women’s national teams, having coached the Falconets at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

Yusuf earned 68 international caps for Nigeria during her playing career and featured at four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, three FIFA Women’s World Cups and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The Super Falcons will take on Comoros at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, on October 9 and 13, with both legs scheduled to be played in Nigeria.

Nigeria received a bye into the second round as one of the three highest-ranked teams in the qualifying competition, while Comoros advanced after defeating Sudan 30-0 on aggregate.

The Super Falcons will need to navigate four rounds of two-legged knockout fixtures to secure one of Africa’s two available spots at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

If Nigeria overcome Comoros, they will face either the Democratic Republic of Congo or Morocco in the next round, scheduled for February 23 to March 6, 2027.

Hajduk Split expressed sadness over the death of Gudelj, describing him as one of the most prominent players of his generation and a true club legend.

Gudelj joined Hajduk as a youngster and spent his entire playing career with the club, making 362 appearances and scoring 93 goals for its youth and senior teams between 1976 and 1986.

He also represented the former Yugoslavia 33 times, scoring three goals, and became the national team captain at the age of 22.

Gudelj was part of Yugoslavia’s squad at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, where he emerged as one of the team’s standout players. He also featured at the 1984 European Championship.

However, his promising career was brought to an abrupt end in 1986 after he was diagnosed with hepatitis B. He was preparing to move to French club Bordeaux at the time.

Following his playing career, Gudelj moved into coaching and briefly managed Hajduk Split. He also coached Croatia’s Under-17 and Under-19 national teams.

Hajduk said Gudelj’s contribution to the club and Yugoslav football had established him as one of the most respected figures in its history.

AFP

Messi announced on Monday that he was ending his remarkable Argentina career after making 207 appearances and scoring 125 goals for his country.

The 39-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful international career, culminating in Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His final appearance for the national team came in July, when Argentina lost to Spain in the World Cup final.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi produced numerous memorable performances for both Argentina and Barcelona throughout his career.

Beckham, who faced Messi during his playing days and is now a co-owner of Inter Miami, where the Argentine currently plays, reflected on the impact of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“This is the moment we get to look back on and realise how grateful we were to witness the greatness of a young kid with a dream,” Beckham wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.

He added: “Leo, you have been a credit to yourself, your family, your friends and your country. Leading by example and creating inspiration for millions of children not just in Argentina but around the whole world.

“Leo, you delivered the greatest gift to your country and, for that, your legacy will live forever. Congratulations on all you achieved for Argentina.”

AFP

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.