Category: Sports

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has reacted to their 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup opener on Wednesday.

Ronaldo failed to add to his international goal tally as they dropped points against the Leopards.

The 41-year-old only had two scuffed efforts in the 90 minutes he played in Houston.

Joao Neves scored for Portugal, before Yohan Wissa headed home the equalizer before half time.

Ronaldo took to social media to write: “It’s not the start we wanted but this is FAR from being over.

“Focus on the next game.”

Portugal’s next group game is against Uzbekistan next Tuesday.

2026 World Cup: Not what we wanted – Ronaldo reacts to 1-1 draw with DR Congo

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has ranked his number one on who is the better player between Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

​In a recent social media video session, the Galatasaray star was asked to rank Messi and Ronaldo.

Instead of placing one above the other, Osimhen opted for a different approach.

The former Napoli man stated that he sees both of them on the same level.

“I don’t do no Messi and Ronaldo ranking,” Osimhen said.

“Why can’t we put them together as number one? For me, Messi and Ronaldo are number one on my ranking,” he said.

Messi and Ronaldo are currently at the ongoing World Cup tournament, representing their countries, Argentina and Portugal, respectively.

See video

Messi vs Ronaldo: Osimhen ranks who’s better player

Former Sweden international, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has insisted that everything Argentina captain Lionel Messi touches turns into glory.

The former Manchester United striker stated this on a Fox Sports program while speaking about Messi’s impressive display against Algeria in the World Cup on Wednesday morning.

According to Ibrahimovic, there may never be another Messi in the game of football again.

Recall that Messi’s hat-trick ensured Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup opener.

“I have said many times, with Messi’s game, you just need to watch and enjoy. There may never be another Messi in football; he is too special, his talent is innate,” Ibrahimovic said.

“The sport of football seems to exist for him; everything he touches turns into glory. When you need him to step up, this guy steps up.”

World Cup 2026: Everything he touches turns to glory – Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Messi

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, failed to make an impact as they played out a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup opener on Wednesday.

All eyes were on Ronaldo, who was making his sixth appearance at the tournament.

But the 41-year-old only had two scuffed efforts in the 90 minutes he played in Houston.

Portugal took an early lead after Joao Neves rose highest to head home in the first half.

The Leopards ensured they went into the break level, thanks to Yohan Wissa, who also headed past Diogo Costa.

Although the second half was an end-to-end affair, neither team was able to take maximum points from the encounter.

2026 World Cup: Ronaldo fails to shine as DR Congo hold Portugal

Ikorodu City and El-kanemi Warriors will clash in the final of the President Federation Cup, DAILY POST reports.

Three-time champions El-kanemi Warriors defeated Wikki Tourists 3-1 in their semi-final encounter at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina.

The Maiduguri club will be playing in their second final in two years.

Ikorodu City reached the final following a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Nasarawa United.

Both teams battled to a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Ayoola Ibrahim gave Ikorodu City the lead in the 11th minute, and Nasarawa United equalised five minutes before the break.

Ikorodu City will be playing in the final of the President Federation Cup for the first time.

President Federation Cup: Ikorodu City, El-kanemi Warriors qualify for final 

Former footballer now pundit, Alejandro Moreno, has stated that Lionel Messi should have received a red card during Argentina’s FIFA World Cup match against Algeria.

Although Messi netted all three goals, leading Argentina to a decisive 3-0 victory, the 38-year-old avoided any disciplinary action in the first half.

Approximately thirty minutes into the match, Algeria’s Aissa Mandi was seen in agony after Messi executed a studs-up challenge that struck the defender’s calf.

To the astonishment of the spectators, referee Szymon Marciniak allowed the game to proceed without issuing even a yellow card to Messi. The former Barcelona star went on scored twice in the second half.

Moreno was among those who found the referee’s decision unsatisfactory, asserting that Messi warranted a red card and labeling his challenge as ‘clumsy.’

In addition to the tackle, Moreno pointed out what he referred to as ‘preferential treatment,’ noting that FIFA president Gianni Infantino was seen smiling in the VIP section after Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane successfully saved one of Messi’s attempts.

“It’s 100% a red card for Lionel Messi,” Mereno said on ESPN. “It should’ve been. I’ll tell you what else is concerning and it plays along this narrative that great players get preferential treatment.

“When he was about to score a hat-trick and goalkeeper [Luca] Zidane made a save, they showed [Gianni] Infantino smiling as if to say ‘that was close’. And it does play into that narrative of, ‘oh yeah, this guy’s getting a different sort of treatment.”

The pundit also questioned why referee Marciniak was not called by VAR to review the challenge before doubling down on his red card claim.

“We don’t even have to see the still, if you see the live video, it felt like a bad challenge to begin with. Then you see the replay, and this is a bad challenge. Somebody has to take a look at this. Why was the referee Szymon Marciniak not called over to review it?

“It should have been a red card for Lionel Messi. As much as I love Lionel Messi, that was a clumsy challenge, a bad challenge and you’re raking the back of somebody’s calf all the way up from the knee down to his ankle. It should have been a red card,” he added.

The on-field decision further sparked debate after it was confirmed that it was the same referee who officiated Argentina’s clash with France in the 2022 World Cup final.

2026 World Cup: Moreno slams referee for not giving Messi red card against Algeria

Nasarawa United technical adviser, Mbwas Mangut, has ruled out midfielder Jofrank Istifanus from the side’s President Federation Cup semi-final clash against Ikorodu City.

Istifanus is currently nursing a groin injury.

Mangut insisted that the team have the right personnel to make-up for the player’s absence in the team.

“As for us, we have been intact, with less injury concerns, unless for Jofrank Istifanus who has been nursing a groin injury,” Mangut stated ahead of the game.

“But we have those who can make up for his absence.”

Mangut also assured that his team will show enough determination in the game.

“I can assure you, we will come out with full determination to make our supporters and fans, both in Nasarawa State, and beyond, proud,”

The encounter is billed for the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Wednesday (today).

President Federation Cup: Istifanus ruled out of Nasarawa United vs Ikorodu City

Real Madrid on Wednesday claimed that they have evidence that LaLiga rivals Barcelona paid bribes to referees, in what is now known as as the ‘Negreira case’.

The Negreira case is an ongoing legal investigation into payments totaling over €7.3 million allegedly made by Barcelona to companies owned by the former vice president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), José María Enríquez Negreira, between 2001 and 2018.

Barca insist the payments were for legitimate technical and referee consulting reports, while prosecutors are investigating allegations of corruption and unfair administration.

But Madrid have now sent a letter to UEFA stating their claims.

FULL LETTER:

In this letter, the club has informed UEFA of the existence of relevant evidence that conclusively reinforces the indications already known from the beginning about the existence of long-term payments, opaque and lacking any verifiable justification, made by the F. C Barcelona to the one who was vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, José María Enríquez Negreira, through different corporate structures.

Real Madrid emphasizes that these facts constitute, from the perspective of sports disciplinary law, a systemic risk of maximum gravity for the integrity of competitions, by evidencing the existence of a structure of undue influence on the arbitration system, incompatible with the essential principles of competitive equality, neutrality, impartiality and unpredictability of the sports result.

In this context, Real Madrid has urged the immediate resumption of the disciplinary file initiated at the time by UEFA, considering it unacceptable that this situation has been prolonged over time, since its persistence seriously compromises the credibility of football, its institutions and its leaders, so it demands a firm, exemplary and immediate response in the sports field, independent of the future of the ongoing judicial proceedings.

Therefore, our club asks UEFA, in the exercise of its own, autonomous and independent competence, to adopt the disciplinary and restorative measures that are appropriate in order to guarantee the integrity, transparency and proper functioning of the competitions, without this implying, in any case, replacing the function of the jurisdictional bodies of the State or anticipating a criminal qualification of the facts.

In this sense, Real Madrid, in person in the ongoing criminal proceedings as a private accusation, will exercise, as it has been doing since its inception, the actions that correspond at each procedural moment.

Real Madrid reaffirms its commitment to the defense of the essential values of sport and will continue to promote as many actions as necessary to ensure that events of this nature do not go unpunished.

LaLiga: We have evidence Barcelona bribed referees – Real Madrid writes UEFA

Nasarawa United technical adviser, Mbwas Mangut, says his side is focused and battle-ready for the President Federation Cup semi-final clash with Ikorodu City.

The Solid Miners will battle with Ikorodu City at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Wednesday.

Mangut urged his players to channel the disappointment of missing out on a continental ticket in the 2025-26 Nigeria Premier Football League into the match with Ikorodu City.

“Well, this is a game we all know will be very difficult,” Mangut told the club’s media.

“Ikorodu City are a side that is young, mobile, play as a compact, and you could see the class they showed in the league.

“Coming to this stage in the FA Cup, you know no one is a pushover. So, we believe we are going to play a very difficult game.”

Mangut however urged his players to be clinical in front of goal in the game.

“We have it in mind to work harder, believing that the side that takes its chances carries the day.

“We can’t afford to make mistakes. We will minimize costly errors.”

President Federation Cup: Nasarawa United ready for Ikorodu City showdown – Mangut

Bayelsa Queens are set to part ways with their head coach Whyte Ogbonda, DAILY POST reports.

The Prosperity Girls surrendered their title at the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, playoff to Edo Queens following a 0-0 draw against Rivers Angels on the final of the competition.

Bayelsa Queens finished second in the tournament with eight points from five matches.

According to reports, Ogbonda will be relieved of his duties following a comprehensive review of the team’s performance during the 2025/26 campaign.

The club is expected to make a pronouncement on the gaffer’s future this week.

Ogbonda guided Bayelsa Queens to win their eighth NWFL title two years ago.

NWFL: Bayelsa Queens set to sack head coach Ogbonda