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Osimhen in big trouble following outburst against Eagles coach Finidi George

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Super Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has found himself in big trouble with Nigerian football fans following his outburst in which he attacked the national team coach, Finidi George.

Osimhen had, in an Instagram live video on Saturday, attacked George shortly before the coach tendered his resignation and stepped down as Super Eagles head coach.

The controversy erupted was ignited following comments made by George regarding Osimhen’s recent performances and attitude on and off the pitch.

George, an ex-Eagles winger who had illustrious career with the national team where he won the 1994 Nations Cup and played at two world cups, had criticized Osimhen’s work ethic and commitment, suggesting that the young striker needed to improve his professionalism.

The former Ajax and Real Betis player who was appointed in May, had come in for severe attacks after he led the Eagles to two uninspiring 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, drawing 1-1 with South Africa in Uyo and losing 2-1 to Benin Republic.

In his frustration, George, in a statement, blamed some players including Osimhen for the team’s poor performances.

Angered by the criticism, Osimhen, went on a tirade, calling out the gaffer and ended up saying he has lost any respect he had for George.

“I have lost every respect I have for him,” the angry forward said in the Instagram live video.

“It’s disheartening to hear such comments from someone I once looked up to,” he continued.

“I have always given my best for the Super Eagles and my club. To be criticized in this manner by Finidi George, someone who should understand the pressures and challenges we face, is very hurtful. I have lost every respect I had for him.

“I am focused on my development and helping my teams achieve success. What we need is encouragement and constructive feedback, not public denigration from those who have walked this path before us,” he stated in anger.

However, the outburst did not sit well with fans of the Super Eagles with many Nigerians calling for his ban from the team.

A former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Idah Peterside, who took exception to Osimhen’s attitude, described the tantrum as irresponsible and called for his expulsion from the national team.

According to Peterside, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), should take action to curb similar actions in the future.

“I think action should be taken, or he (Osimhen)
should be banned from playing for the national team,” Peterside wrote on social media.

“If we allow this kind of thing to continue, it would not augur well for Nigeria. The men who have served and given everything to our great country. So sanity must be brought to our football.”

Peterside also called on Osimhen to apologize to George for his actions.

“Osimhen needs to come outside and apologize for the things he said to Finidi, Peterside said on social media.

“Finidi George is a legend, You don’t just widen your mouth and say things that are unpalatable. If you have issues with the man, pick up your phone and call him. That’s what responsible people do.

“Osimhen has just shown a bit of irresponsibility, and that’s unexpected. I think the NFF should call Osimhen and ask him to apologize. He has to apologize for saying things.”

“Our national team is sacred; days when we wore the jersey, we respected it, and people that went before us. He’s not the first, and neither would he be the last. He should come out openly and apologize openly to former footballers, NFF, Finidi, and Nigerians,” former goalkeeper stated.

Sports

FIFA officially confirms Morocco 2030 World Cup co-host

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World football governing body, FIFA, has officially confirmed Morocco as the co-host of the 2030 world cup along with Spain and Portugal, which will make the north African country the second nation in the continent to host the tournament after South Africa in 2010.

The announcement, which was made on Wednesday by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during FIFA’s virtual extraordinary Congress, also awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.

The Spain, Portugal and Morocco
joint bid code-named “Yalla Vamos,” represents the collaborative effort between the three countries aimed at uniting different continents through sport’s universal language.

President of Morocco’s Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa who spoke on the development, emphasized the importance of the bid, extending his thanks to FIFA and the football community for contributing to making Morocco’s hosting the event possible.

Lekjaa stressed that the decision is a testament to the three countries’ commitment to growth and development, noting that sports, especially football serve as a powerful leverage for socio-economic progress and the betterment of humanity.

The bid which was presented with a captivating visual presentation, showcasing iconic football players who represent the three countries, including Portugal’s Luis Figo and Morocco’s Nordin Naybet.

The presentation underlined the unique strengths of each host nation, spotlighting their football legacy alongside touristic landmarks, culinary traditions, and cultural heritage.

One of the key infrastructure highlights is the planned 5,000-kilometer railway network that aims to connect Lisbon, Madrid, and Casablanca in just three hours.

The World Cup tournament carries special significance as it marks exactly 100 years since Uruguay hosted the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and in this sense, the 2030 edition will feature a unique format, beginning with three opening matches in South America before moving to the main hosts for the remaining 101 matches scheduled between June 13 and July 21, 2030.

Six Moroccan cities, Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir, will host matches, requiring significant infrastructure upgrades.

The 2030 World Cup marks a significant achievement for Morocco after five unsuccessful bids spanning three decades.

The tournament will begin with symbolic matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay on June 8 and 9, 2030, commemorating the centenary of the first World Cup, before moving to Morocco, Spain, and Portugal for the remainder of the competition.

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For swearing during news conference, Verstappen to do ‘public interest’ work in Rwanda

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Formula 1 world champion, Max Verstappen, has been mandated to do an activity with junior competitors in Rwanda after swearing in a news conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The punishment was slammed on Verstappen by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), or International Automobile Federation, the governing body for many international motor sports, including Formula 1.

According to reports, the world champion was ordered to complete some “work of public interest” for the transgression, a punishment he described as “ridiculous” at the time.

The FIA said after the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that Verstappen’s duty would coincide with its prize-giving in the African country’s capital next week.

The top three drivers in the F1 world championship are required by regulation to attend the end-of-season FIA prize-giving ceremony with Verstappen’s punishment tagged on to the mandatory trip.

“While in Kigali, Verstappen will undertake some work with junior competitors as part of the grassroots development programme organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC),” the FIA said in a statement.

“The activity will involve an FIA affordable cross car which was built locally in Rwanda by the RAC from blueprints provided by the FIA,” it added.

Verstappen’s penalty is along with a fine for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for a similar offence at the Mexico City Grand Prix, led the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association to publish an open letter asking the FIA to treat them like adults.

The letter also criticised the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has caused widespread dismay in F1 at his actions this year, for his tone and language when addressing the topic.

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