Sport

Lionel Messi scored a hat trick when he was needed most, rallying his country to a 3-1 win over Ecuador, in Quito to book a spot in 2018 Russia World Cup. With Argentina's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in jeopardy, Messi inspired his team mates to take the day. Argentina started the final night of South American qualifying in sixth place, with only the top four qualifying for the World Cup while the fifth goes to an intercontinental playoff against New Zealand.

Victor Osimhen is keen on a loan move away from German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in order to boost his chances of going to the World Cup 2018 in Russia with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Super Eagles Man of the Match in their 1-0 win over Zambia Shehu Abdullahi has been selected in the official CAF BEST XI players of match day 5 of the World Cup Qualifiers in Africa.

Liverpool football club forward Sadio Mané could be out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty with Senegal.

Nigeria Football Federation, NFF will extend the contract of Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, after Nigeria sealed qualification for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. Gernot Rohr, signed a two-year contract, while accepting the job in 2016 with the option of extending the deal, if Nigeria qualifies for the World Cup.

Iceland becomes smallest nation ever to qualify for World Cup finals. Iceland sealed a place in Russia with a 2-0 victory against Kosovo in Reykjavik, becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for World Cup finals. Iceland needed all three points to secure top spot in European qualifying Group I.