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Fola Badmus

Morocco 2025: Eagles Dread Difficult Customers, Cranes of Uganda

Fola Badmus08 mins

Nigeria and Uganda clash on Tuesday evening in a match tendered on different perspectives for both teams as three-time champions Nigeria conclude their group phase account at the ongoing 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.   The Cranes, eternal difficult jobs for the Super Eagles since their first meeting in an AFCON semi-final duel in Kumasi 47 years ago, need a win to stand any chance of enjoying the cold climate of Morocco beyond Tuesday evening, while the Super Eagles, already qualified for the Round of 16 no matter the tremor anywhere on the park, need a draw simply to assure top-table finish in Group C.   Veteran goal-tender Denis Onyango and team-mates have themselves to blame for being stuck on one point to the final day of the group phase. After the expected manhandling by Tunisia, and falling behind to Tanzania in their second match, Nigeria-descent Uche Ikpeazu rose from the bench to give them an equalizer against the Taifa Stars. The game fell into their hands to pick up the three points, but Allan Okelo blasted the ball away from goal from a penalty kick.   The only route left for them is to put a sword through the Eagles. With the Nigerians intent on sustaining a winning mentality, determined to maintain their great form and put fear into the hearts of other possible contenders for the trophy, that is unlikely to happen.   Nigeria’s prolific goalscorer Victor Osimhen has netted only once in this tournament, but the man who succeeded him as Africa Player of the Year (and who teamed up with him to create a Super Eagles’ terror attack at the last competition in Cote d’Ivoire), Ademola Lookman, has again opted to take Africa’s biggest football championship by storm.   Lookman has netted two goals this term (adding to his three from the 2023 finals), and has made two assists (adding to one from last term). He looks like a man-on-a-mission. His goals have been unstoppable left-footed missiles.   Another big hurdle the Cranes will have to deal with is that Osimhen, now on 32 goals in 48 matches for Nigeria, is committed to presenting himself a special birthday gift, having turned 27 on Monday. Such a man (and being Osimhen in this case) will be difficult to contain.   In addition, Nigeria’s midfield has come into its own, with Wilfred Ndidi playing a true captain’s game in the Eagles’ first two matches, and Alex Iwobi simply magnificent. Frank Onyeka reminded all of his abilities when he starred against the Tunisians, and there are still Raphael Onyedika and Tochukwu Nnadi yet to be tested.   Nigeria is the country with the most appearances in the AFCON knockout rounds in history, having done so here for the 19th time, and the victory over Tunisia was the Eagles’ 35th group-stage win in the history of the competition. Nigeria have lost only one of their last 16 AFCON group-stage games – defeat to Madagascar in Egypt after they already qualified for the Round of 16.   Uganda will look to the history of contests between both nations and be hopeful.   In eight previous encounters, the Cranes have lost only twice, winning four times, with the other two games ending in a draw. Five of the matches have been competitive, and Ugandans cannot forget how their star forward Philip Omondi scored the winner to ensure a 2-1 defeat for Nigeria in the 1978 AFCON semi-finals. Uganda have won two of the three international friendly matches, with the other ending in a draw.   Uganda have progressed beyond the AFCON group stage only twice previously, in 1978 in Ghana and 2019 in Egypt.   Ikpeazu will probably start as Belgian tactician Paul Put throws his aces up from the get-go. There are also James Bogere, who earned the Cranes a second penalty against Tanzania, Okello and Denis Omedi, who scored against Tunisia and assisted the equalizer against Tanzania on Sunday.   Nigeria, now on 149 goals in 106 AFCON matches, will aim for a milestone 150th goal, and more, when the game commences at the Complexe Sportif de Fès at 5pm on Tuesday.   At his pre-match press briefing on Monday, Coach Eric Chelle said: “The competition is not only for the starting 11; everybody deserves a chance to play and show what they can offer the team. Sometimes a player who makes a cameo appearance can change the outcome of games and even win a tournament. For me, I want to present the best team every time.”   Captain Ndidi: “The atmosphere in the team is good. Everyone is excited and confident, but the previous games are in the past. The focus is one the next game.”   SUPER EAGLES, CRANES IN HISTORY   14 Mar 1978: Uganda 2-1 Nigeria (AFCON semi: Kumasi) 26 Sep 1981: Nigeria 0-1 Uganda (Friendly: Lagos) 29 Aug 1992: Nigeria 2-0 Uganda (AFCONq: Lagos) 17 Jul 1993: Uganda 0-0 Nigeria (AFCONq: Kampala) 24 Mar 2007: Nigeria 1-0 Uganda (AFCONq: Abeokuta) 02 Jun 2007: Uganda 2-1 Nigeria (AFCONq: Kampala) 25 Mar 2015: Nigeria 0-1 Uganda (Friendly: Uyo) 20 Nov 2018: Nigeria 0-0 Uganda (Friendly: Asaba)  

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Mentality, Resilience, and Redemption: Harry Maguire Reflects On His Man United Journey Ahead of 2025 Finale

Fola Badmus08 mins

In a revealing interview ahead of Manchester United’s final match of 2025, Harry Maguire opens up about the “sink or swim” mentality required to survive at Old Trafford and his winning heroics at Anfield this season. Stream the clash between United and Wolves live tomorrow night at 22:15 on Showmax Premier League.     29 December 2025- As Manchester United prepare to walk out at Old Trafford for their final fixture of 2025 against Wolves tomorrow night, centre-back Harry Maguire has opened up about the “sink or swim” reality of life at the world’s most scrutinised club.     In a deep-dive interview, Maguire speaks candidly about his six-year journey—a path marked by heavy responsibility, tactical shifts, and a hard-earned “redemption” that has defined his current campaign.     The Final Hurdle of 2025: “We Have the Foundations” With United facing Wolves tomorrow, 30 December, at 22:15, the focus is firmly on ending the year with momentum. Maguire believes the team has found its footing after a turbulent period. “I do feel like we’ve got the foundations now to go and have a successful season, and it’s up to us to go and do it now,” Maguire says of the current squad. “Since Ruben [Amorim] came in, I’ve always thought he is an excellent manager and he just needed things to click.” “I still think there are games this season where we’ve let ourselves down a little bit; I believe we should have more points than what we’ve got at the moment. However, we’re not in a terrible position, and I see it going in a good direction—in the right direction.”     The Scrutiny of a Giant: “Sink or Swim” Reflecting on his time at the club, Maguire notes that the intensity of the Premier League is magnified tenfold at Manchester United. “You quickly realise things can turn real quickly when you’re at this club,” he admits. “You obviously know it’s a big club, but you don’t understand how big the analysis and the scrutiny is on everything you do.” “Every tackle, every misplaced pass seems to be analysed. I’ve been really good at ignoring all that, whether it’s good or bad.” “You need to handle the defeats well, but you also need to handle the victories well, because you can get pushed up really high, as if you’re one of the best players in the world, and you know what’s going to happen—they’re going to try and knock you back down.”     The Captaincy and the Hardest Days Maguire speaks with honesty about his three-year tenure as captain, particularly the dip in form during his third season following the high-profile arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, and Jadon Sancho. “The expectation was to challenge and really kick on, and it just never happened. It never clicked,” he reflects. “I was the captain, I was the face, and I faced the media after every defeat.” “It’s tough when you feel like you’re repeating yourself to six or seven cameras, and you have to be careful what you say because it’s going to get analysed.” “I felt like during that bad period, I was always trying to look after others and I maybe took my eye off myself in terms of my own performances. That’s probably where the dip came in.”     The Amorim Era and “The Anfield Moment” A major highlight of this season was Maguire’s winner at Anfield—a goal that secured his place in United folklore. “If that happened five or six years ago, I wasn’t experienced enough to realise how big the moment was,” Maguire says. “But for it to happen this season, when I’m experienced and I know how much it means… it’s a special moment.” “I scored the header, and I didn’t know where I was in the stadium—I ended up running to the [Liverpool] fans instead of our fans. For us to stay resilient and show that spirit… I don’t think I’ll ever forget that one.” On the current manager, Maguire is equally full of praise. “I think Ruben’s record should be judged on this season; this is where he’s had his time to work and he’s picking his team up.” “I want to be part of this successful club, and when I see it going in the right direction, of course I want to be part of it.”     A Message to the Future Despite the highs and lows, Maguire remains unwavering in his commitment. “I’m a lot stronger mentally now. I’ve learned an awful amount about myself. My worst time wasn’t as bad as what was in my head, and the best time wasn’t as good as what was in my head. I try to remain focused and look forward.”

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U.S Trump confirms Multiple Airstrikes in North-West Nigeria Targeting Terror Cells

Fola Badmus02 mins

The United States has confirmed carrying out a military airstrike against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Nigeria, following an order by U.S. President Donald Trump. In a statement released on his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump said U.S. forces conducted what he described as “powerful and deadly” strikes on ISIS elements operating in northwest Nigeria. According to him, the operation was aimed at degrading the group’s capacity after repeated attacks on civilians in the region. Trump stated that the strike was carried out on Christmas Day and authorised directly by him as Commander-in-Chief. He accused ISIS militants of targeting innocent civilians, particularly Christians, and warned that further violence would attract stronger responses. While confirming the operation, U.S. officials have not released detailed information on the specific locations targeted or casualty figures. The U.S. military also said the action was part of broader efforts to counter terrorist threats and prevent extremist groups from gaining ground in West Africa. Reports indicate that the strike was carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities, marking a notable escalation in U.S. military involvement against extremist groups operating within Nigeria. Nigerian authorities are yet to issue an official statement detailing the impact of the strike, as investigations and assessments continue.

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Ike Ibeabuchi Challenges Usyk in 2026 Showdown

Fola Badmus04 mins

Ike Ibeabuchi is back in the heavyweight scene and has publicly challenged Oleksandr Usyk to a fight in Kyiv in 2026. Speaking in the Ukrainian capital, the 52-year-old Nigerian stated, “You are the Undisputed Champion. You are Ukraine’s champion. Fight me here in Kyiv in 2026.” Ibeabuchi is scheduled to fight Kabiru Towolawi on December 24, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, on Prizefighting.tv PPV. He said the bout will prove whether his knockout power remains intact. “The world wants to see if the old fire is truly back. When I defeat Kabiru, I will have proven my claim to your titles, Usyk,” he explained. “I have done my part, I have shaken off the rust of two decades. Now, I call on the only man who matters: You speak of fighting for your people. I offer you a chance to do just that: Defend your titles, defend your country.” He emphasized that the location of a potential fight with Usyk is irrelevant. “It does not matter if the fight is in Ukraine, or the UK, or Nigeria, or the US. My knockout power is the same. My power has a visa that allows it to travel worldwide.” Ibeabuchi added a historical comparison to illustrate his confidence: “I will knock you out, Usyk, just like George Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer! I will get the titles that are rightfully mine and become the oldest heavyweight champion in history!” Known as “The President,” Ibeabuchi highlighted the enduring power of his punches. “They say speed fades, stamina wanes, but the heavy power that is always in the locker. That is what separates a true heavyweight from the rest,” he said. He clarified that his knockout ability relies on technique rather than athleticism alone. “My power is not reliant on how fast I move or how long I last; it relies on leverage and technique. “I still have the ability to drop a locomotive. That knockout power, Usyk, is the last thing to leave, and I still carry it. “When I hit you, you will feel the 21 victories and 16 knockouts of my past, and the hunger of my future.” Ibeabuchi referenced George Foreman’s 1994 victory over Michael Moorer to demonstrate that age does not preclude knockout power. “My power travels. I will knock you out like George Foreman knocked out Moorer,” he said.  

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The Best FIFA Football Awards Winners to Emerge on Tuesday

Fola Badmus03 mins

The winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 will be revealed at a special event in Doha, Qatar, that will be broadcast live on FIFA.com on Tuesday, 16 December 2025 from 20:00 local time (18:00 CET). On the eve of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025 final between Paris Saint-Germain and CR Flamengo at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, the world’s best players and coaches for 2025 will be revealed during the FIFA Celebration 2025 Dinner at Fairmont Katara Hall in Doha. Before that, the best fans, goalkeepers and goals will be announced in digital videos on FIFA platforms and across social media, along with the winner of the FIFA Fair Play Award. The gala dinner will be attended by 800 guests, including the FIFA President, FIFA Council members, FIFA Legends, Member Association representatives from around the world, and other local and regional ambassadors and trailblazers of the beautiful game. As ever, fans have played a key role in choosing the winners by casting over 16 million votes and having a say in the destiny of multiple awards, including The Best FIFA Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Player, The Best FIFA Women’s Coach, The Best FIFA Men’s Coach, The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper. All of these award winners have been decided by an equally weighted voting system between fans, the current captains and coaches of all women’s and men’s national teams, and media representatives. In addition, fans have also participated in the vote for The Best FIFA Women’s 11 and The Best FIFA Men’s 11. Voting for the FIFA Marta Award and the FIFA Puskás Award – for the best goals in women’s and men’s football – has been split equally between fans and a panel of FIFA Legends, while the winner of the FIFA Fan Award has been chosen entirely by fans, and the recipient of the FIFA Fair Play Award has been selected by an expert panel.

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John Cena Retires From WWE

Fola Badmus02 mins

WWE legend John Cena officially bid farewell to his illustrious wrestling career at the Saturday Night Live event in Washington, DC. 17-time world champion John Cena faced Austrian star wrestler Gunther in his final match. The match, which took place in a packed stadium, was thrilling from the start. The two wrestlers fought fiercely and evenly, and at one point, the match seemed to be going in John Cena’s favour. However, John Cena could not save himself from Gunther’s continuous and hard sleeper hold and was surprisingly tapped out, leaving the fans in the stadium disappointed and surprised. After the match, John Cena symbolically placed his shoes, armbands, and wristbands in the ring, which is considered a clear sign of his retirement from wrestling. At this point, fellow wrestlers and fans around the ring stood up and paid him a heartfelt tribute. Leaving the ring for the last time, John Cena looked at the camera and addressed the fans, saying, “It has been an honor to serve you all these years, thank you all.”

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Morocco 2025: Super Eagles Set for NAIJA 4 THE WIN Campaign as AFCON Beckons

Fola Badmus03 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the commencement of the NAIJA 4 THE WIN campaign as the Super Eagles return to the continent for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with a renewed commitment to reclaiming the prestigious title for the nation.   Nigeria, three-time winners of Africa’s flagship football championship, arrive in Morocco with a rich history and a firm resolve to restore continental glory. The silver-medal finish at the 2023 edition in Abidjan, though commendable, remains a reminder of unfinished business. Those memories serve not as setbacks, but as motivation for a stronger, more decisive outing.   Under the leadership of Head Coach Eric Sékou Chelle and the unwavering total support of the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, the team continues to build a solid structure based on discipline, experience, emerging talent, and collective ambition. The objective is unambiguous: to improve on the last performance and bring the Africa Cup of Nations trophy back to Nigeria.   The NAIJA 4 THE WIN campaign serves as a unifying call to Nigerians across all regions and the diaspora. It reinforces the belief that, just as in Nigeria 1980, Tunisia 1994 and South Africa 2010, Nigeria can once again rise to the summit of African football. Each of these victories carries its own legacy, and Morocco 2025 presents another opportunity to inscribe a new chapter in that storied tradition.   The NFF urges supporters to stand firmly behind the Super Eagles throughout the tournament from homes and viewing centres across the country to the stands in Morocco. The passion, encouragement, and presence of Nigerians remain critical to the team’s success.  

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Nigerian Socialite Roseline Ajesola Arrested in North Carolina Over Alleged $247,000 Fraud Scheme

Fola Badmus02 mins

Authorities in Wake County, North Carolina, have arrested Roseline Iyewande Ajesola, a Nigerian-American woman and prominent Lagos socialite, over allegations of financial fraud involving more than $247,000. According to arrest warrants issued by the Morrisville Police Department, Ajesola, who resides in Katy, Texas, is facing four felony counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretense, classified as a Class C felony under North Carolina law. Investigators allege that Ajesola falsely presented herself as a financial broker and convinced a victim to transfer large sums of money into a bank account under her control. The funds were allegedly forwarded to another party shortly after the transfers were made. Court documents indicate that four transactions are linked to the alleged scheme: $52,000, $130,000, $60,000, and $5,000. The transfers reportedly occurred on February 26, 2025, bringing the total amount involved to over $247,000. The arrest has attracted widespread attention online following the circulation of her mugshot on social media. Investigations into the matter are ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed whether additional suspects may be involved.

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