The approval was announced in a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation following a meeting between President Tinubu and CAF President Patrice Motsepe at the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The meeting also included Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, former NFF boss Amaju Pinnick, and CAF Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu.

The CAF General Assembly, scheduled for October 2026, will gather presidents of member associations, zonal representatives, and senior football administrators to discuss governance and policy direction for African football.

The CAF Awards, one of the continent’s top football ceremonies, will also be part of the events, celebrating outstanding achievements in the sport, with the most recent award going to Achraf Hakimi in 2025 after a standout season with Paris Saint-Germain.

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The North London club progressed 2–1 on aggregate after a 1–1 draw in the first leg in Spain. This victory sends Arsenal into the final of Europe’s most prestigious club competition for just the second time in their history.

They will now await the winner between reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

Arsenal’s only previous Champions League final appearance came in 2005, when they were defeated by Barcelona.

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Reports indicate that the 84-year-old began feeling discomfort more than an hour before kick-off, shortly after arriving at the stadium to watch the high-profile fixture.

He received medical attention at the venue before being moved to hospital as a precaution. Sources say he is expected to recover at home.

Ferguson, who retired in 2013, previously suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2018 but there is no suggestion that the current situation is connected to that incident.

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The hosts made a blistering start, with Matheus Cunha breaking the deadlock in the 6th minute before Benjamin Šeško extended the advantage in the 14th minute, sending United into the interval two goals ahead.

Liverpool regrouped after the restart, reducing the deficit in the 47th minute through Dominik Szoboszlai. The visitors then drew level in the 56th minute when Cody Gakpo finished off Szoboszlai’s delivery to make it 2–2.

With the atmosphere growing tense, Kobbie Mainoo produced the decisive moment in the 77th minute, calmly slotting home past goalkeeper Woodman to restore United’s lead and ultimately secure all three points.

The result keeps Manchester United in third place on the league standings, six points clear of Liverpool, who remain fourth following their 11th league defeat of the campaign.

In a separate development, reports from UK media outlets including Manchester Evening News and Daily Mail indicated that former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was taken for medical evaluation after feeling unwell at Old Trafford ahead of the match. The 84-year-old was said to have experienced discomfort more than an hour before kickoff. Sources added that his hospital visit was precautionary, with expectations of a full recovery at home.

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The incident occurred during a heated on-field exchange that led to Vinícius briefly leaving the pitch and refusing to continue, causing a short stoppage in play. While the Brazilian initially alleged racial abuse, UEFA’s investigation concluded the remark was homophobic rather than racist.

A disciplinary investigator reviewed the case and confirmed Prestianni’s conduct breached UEFA rules on discriminatory behaviour. The player reportedly told officials he used a homophobic term during the confrontation.

Of the six-game ban, three matches are suspended for two years, meaning they will only be enforced if there is another offence. One match has already been counted as served, leaving him with two immediate games to miss.

The case has also prompted discussions within football governance circles, with IFAB expected to consider possible rule changes regarding players covering their mouths during disputes. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has also argued that concealed speech linked to discrimination should carry strict punishment.

UEFA reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on abuse, stressing that discriminatory language has no place in football. The decision is part of wider efforts to combat misconduct in the sport, which has repeatedly affected Vinícius Júnior in recent seasons, while Benfica and Prestianni have yet to issue a detailed response.

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The champions, unbeaten in 11 matches, overturned a nine-point gap on Arsenal to lead on goal difference with five games left.

Erling Haaland scored early after linking up with Jeremy Doku, while City dominated chances through Rayan Cherki and Nico O’Reilly, but were repeatedly denied by Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

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In an official statement, the club explained that the choice was difficult but acknowledged that recent displays had dropped “below the expected level,” even though there is still plenty left to compete for this season.

Rosenior, who arrived in January from affiliated club RC Strasbourg on a long-term contract, initially had strong backing from the leadership. However, a significant downturn in results, along with increasing frustration among fans, ultimately led to his departure.

Chelsea also announced that Under-21 manager Calum McFarlane will step in as interim head coach for the remainder of the season while the club looks for a long-term successor.

The team’s difficulties have extended across multiple competitions. Despite lifting the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup last season, they were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain and eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Arsenal.

Chelsea now face a tough challenge to qualify for European competitions, currently sitting outside the top spots in the league table.

Off the field, tensions have escalated as supporters have recently protested against the club’s ownership, adding further pressure that contributed to Rosenior’s exit.

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The Board of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund is chaired by the former Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development and the current President of the International Table Tennis Federation, Mr. Enitan Oshodi, with Mr. Olaposi Agunbiade as Executive Secretary/CEO.

Other members of the Board are Mr. Olabode Agoro, Mr. Adeniyi Adedokun Adekoya, Mr. Gbolahan Onibuje, Mr. Jubril Gawat, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, Mrs. Olayemi Sarumi, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, Mr. Moshood Ajide, Engr. Ibrahim Adigun, Chairman of the Chairmen of LGs/LCDAs and Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission.

Speaking during the inauguration held at Lagos House, Marina, Governor Sanwo-Olu implored members of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund to use their contact, skill, professional background and reach for setting up a robust institution in sports for Lagos State.

He said: “The mandate is very straightforward. It is for all of you to use your contact, skill, professional background and reach to help see how we can support funding in sports and help in setting up robust institutions in sports for Lagos State for today and for future generations.

“I will implore that you also look for ways to deploy resources in grassroots sports, school sports, and sporting activities that would encourage growth from our various divisions.

“There are several facilities that we have around that the government first funded. I am sure they are at different stages of completion, if not completed. And there is a lot that also needs improvement. So I believe that you can put the funds into some of these projects.

“There are also a whole lot of people and organisations that would want to support, but they don’t want to come straight to the government. So, this is a quasi-body that can reach out to the private sector and also draw on the experience of the government.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund, Mr. Enitan Oshodi, said the most important thing for his team is to create pathways for raising funds to support sports, sporting infrastructure and development.

He said: “The Lagos State Government is spending a lot of money on sports, but it is never enough in a megacity like Lagos with 20 million-plus people. We need facilities to support athletes, and we all know the talents that are bound in sports in Lagos.

“Lagos State Sports Commission is doing a good job, a very good job. But we always need help from the private sector. The greatest sporting nation in the world doesn’t get any government funding in the United States of America. It is the private sector. So our main target really is the support from the private sector. And with the capacity of the people on the board, we see the private sector supporting us.

“We know the private sector and what they want us to do. And the government is spending the money in the right way. So, I think we can make a big success very quickly in the short term. But of course, the great plan is a long-term plan for the development of sports in Lagos.”

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The Seattle Seahawks routed the New England Patriots 29–13 to claim their second Lombardi Trophy.

Players of Nigerian descent on the team’s lineup who helped achieve this victory include Jalen Oluwaseun Milroe, quarterback; Nick Emmanwori, a defensive standout; Uchenna Nwosu, a veteran linebacker; Boye Maye, a linebacker; and Olu Oluwatimi, an irrepressible offensive lineman.

The President also congratulates Michael Onwenu, who played for the other side, the New England Patriots, and is regarded as one of the most dominant offensive linemen.

President Tinubu commends all the players for the pride and honour that they have brought to their country of descent, especially Emmanwori, Nwosu, and Maye, who raised Nigeria’s flag after winning the Super Bowl with the Seahawks.

The President states that these players and their accomplishments affirm Nigerians’ global reputation for excellence and talent.

President Tinubu wishes them continued success and more victories in their respective careers.

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The lengthy delay came after the spot kick was awarded via the intervention of the video assistant referee (VAR), sparking angry scenes on the touchline and in the crowd, with Senegal fans clashing with security after attempting to break on to the pitch.

After waiting so long to take his penalty, Diaz was under immense pressure, having been handed the chance to end his country’s 50-year wait to lift the Afcon trophy with essentially the final kick of the game, but his decision to chip the ball down the middle backfired horrendously as Edouard Mendy was able to stand his ground and collect in embarrassingly simple fashion.

After 90 minutes which were largely devoid of obvious goalscoring opportunities, the unsavoury scenes at the end were a poor advert for African football, especially with Morocco talking up this tournament as a test event for co-hosting the 2030 Fifa World Cup.

Chances did come at both ends after Gueye’s strike four minutes into extra time, but the closest Morocco came to an equaliser was when Nayef Aguerd powered a header against the bar from a corner.

And as the rain poured down in Rabat, Morocco’s dream of a first continental crown since 1976 was washed away in dramatic fashion.

Senegal were understandably jubilant at the end, having somehow found a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, but the sight of celebrating players being separated from their supporters by massed ranks of police in riot gear said everything about the way this game finished.

Having won a first title by beating Egypt on penalties at the 2021 edition, many of the same players returned here for a second bite of the cherry, including talisman Sadio Mane, who has hinted heavily that this will be his last appearance at an Afcon.

But unlike in Cameroon, this time the Teranga Lions were up against the hosts and the fiery atmosphere inside the impressive Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

A first-ever meeting between the two teams at a finals saw Morocco edge proceedings in the first half, but Senegal have the best openings.

Yassine Bounou made a good scrambling save at his far post to keep out Gueye’s goalbound header from a corner, while the African goalkeeper of the year also denied Iliman Ndiaye with a trailing leg.

The start of the second half saw a fired up Morocco exert greater dominance, pinning back their opponents, but still struggling to create clear-cut chances.

In fact, the Atlas Lions got lucky at the start of injury time when Ismaila Sarr nodded the ball into the net after Abdoulaye Seck’s initial header came back off the woodwork after a corner.

However, referee Jean Jacques Ndala had already blown his whistle, awarding a very soft foul for contact between Seck and Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi.

But that was just the start of the drama, as what followed will inevitably be what this game is remembered for.

With eight minutes having originally been added on, Ndala was advised by VAR to check a tug by West Ham defender El Hadji Malick Diouf on Diaz from a corner, with the Congolese deciding to award the spot kick.

What started out as fierce complaints by the Senegalese players quickly descended into chaos on the touchline as both benches emptied onto the pitch.

Having gone head-to-head with opposite number Walid Regragui, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw called his players down the tunnel, while West African fans, some wielding metal chairs, also attempted to fight their way on to the playing surface.

Following a lengthy delay, with Mane the only Teranga Lions player who looked truly uncomfortable with the walk-off, everyone returned to the pitch and Diaz was finally able to take his penalty for what should have been a celebratory moment for his country.

But with history beckoning, the Real Madrid man tried to showboat with a Panenka and paid the price in a way which he is unlikely to ever forget.

Morocco, Africa’s top team in the world rankings, came into this tournament feeling like they had a date with destiny.

For more than a decade, King Mohammed VI has poured huge sums of money into the game, using it as a tool for societal and cultural change, a move which resulted in the Atlas Lions becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final at Qatar 2022.

But this Afcon was supposed to be their crowing achievement, the moment to end a long trophy drought stretching back to 1976.

Instead, they become just the fourth hosts to lose in a final – having seen the past 12 who have reach the showpiece end up as champions.

The moment which broke their hearts came from Villarreal man Gueye, a towering midfield presence who has been one of the tournament’s standout players.

Having burst forward from just inside the Moroccan half, he shrugged off a tired-looking challenge from Hakimi just outside the box and smashed a left-foot rocket into the top right-hand corner, clipping the underside of the bar as it went in.

Morocco did their best to fight back, with substitute Youssef En-Nesyri stooping to head just wide at the near post 10 minutes after Gueye’s goal and Aguerd’s header off the bar following in the second half of extra time.

But Senegal also had chances to extend their lead, with Paris St-Germain teenager Ibrahim Mbaye’s slaloming run and shot blocked by a lunging Hakimi and Cherif Ndiaye denied by a brilliant double save from Bounou.

At the other end, Mendy was being bombarded with missiles thrown by fans behind his goal, with one invader making it onto the pitch next to the former Chelsea stopper before security managed to force him away.

The recriminations over the way in which this game ended will go on for some time – but Senegal are unlikely to care.

If this is to be Mane’s final Afcon he has bowed out in style, and the sight of him being hoisted on to the shoulders of his team-mates, trophy in hand and having had the captain’s armband thrust upon him, will hopefully last longer.

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