Football

The Referring Development Unit of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has forced discipline on fourteen (14) referees OF the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) by issuing them suspension on Monday due to poor officiating in the ongoing 2023/2024 NPFL season. The refereeing department released a statement on Monday indicting the officials and confirming their preliminary suspension. The Refereeing Development Unit stated the suspension was necessary due to poor performances of Referees/ Assistant Referees since Week 2 of the 2023/ 2024 NPFL season.

Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has been nominated for the Men Player of the Year category in the upcoming 2023 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards. Osimhen's nomination was reportedly disclosed in a statement released by CAF's organizing body via its official website.

Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior has extended his contract at Real Madrid until June 2027, the La Liga giants announced on Tuesday. Vinicius, 23, joined Madrid in 2018 from Brazilian club Flamingo and has developed into one of the League's standout players, scoring the winning goal in last year's Champions League final against Liverpool.

Lionel Messi who presently plays for Inter Miami has yet again won the 2023 Ballon d'Or title making this achievement the eighth time, the ceremony was held in Paris on 30th October 2023. Messi who previously won the award in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021, emerged as the winner on Monday night, beating out other notable male nominees such as Bukayo Saka from Arsenal, Erling Haaland from Manchester City, Martin Odegaard from Arsenal, Victor Osimhen from Napoli, and Robert Lewandowski from Barcelona. Messi, Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe made up the top three with David Beckham on hand to announce the order of the top three after Vinicius Jr finished sixth, Rodri came in fifth, and Kevin De Bruyne in third after helping City to the Treble.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has fired a strong warning to their Premier League rivals after their 5-0 win against Sheffield United. The Gunners are currently second in the Premier League table after ten games, with a 100% unbeaten run in the top flight.

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola has reserved an answer when asked about the teams to challenge to clings the trophy for this season’s Premier League title race. Guardiola insisted that it is too early in the campaign to determine who his top contenders are for the Premier League title this season.