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AFCON 2025: Super Eagles can win title after World Cup disappointment — Babangida
Former Nigeria international Tijani Babangida believes the Super Eagles can redeem themselves by winning the title at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Eric Chelle’s side lost to Democratic Republic of Congo in the final of the African playoffs.
Babangida, however, believed winning the title in Morocco will erase the pains of the World Cup disappointment.
“I think that after the unfortunate experience of missing the FIFA World Cup back to back, it is still very painful to digest this reality,” the former Ajax winger said in an interview with Tribal Football.
“However, the next target is the AFCON tournament, which can be used to redeem the image of Nigeria football.”
The Super Eagles will be looking to win a fourth AFCON title when hostilities start in Morocco next weekend.
They were runners-up at the last edition of the competition hosted by Morocco.
Reece Walsh has been snubbed from winning the 2025 International Rugby League Golden Boot award.
The Broncos full-back was pipped to the coveted accolade by Harry Grant.
Brown also beat New Zealand star Dylan Brown to win his maiden golden boot, after Brown had been crowned player-of-the-match in all three of New Zealand’s games during their Pacific Cup triumph.
Brown was widely expected to claim the biggest individual award of his career.
But the Newcastle-bound playmaker, who has put pen to paper on the NRL’s richest contract, was narrowly pipped at the post by Grant, with the Melbourne hooker impressing judges during Australia’s 3-0 Ashes rout of England.
Melbourne teammate Cameron Munster was also overlooked, despite being named man of the series by a seven-person judging panel at the end of the Ashes.
Reece Walsh (pictured) has been snubbed from this year’s International Rugby League Golden Boot award
Instead, Kangaroos star Harry Grant (pictured) secured his maiden Golden Boot title after a brilliant Ashes series with The Kangaroos
It came as Brisbane centre Julia Robinson won the women’s award after being the stand-out player of the Pacific Cup for the Jillaroos.
After scoring seven tries in four games for Australia this year, Robinson was unanimously voted player of the year in the women’s game.
The vote was not so clear-cut in the men’s space.
Brown was the outright star of this year’s Pacific Cup, scoring the match-winner against Samoa before scoring two tries and setting two more up against Tonga.
Then in the tournament’s final, he busted nine tackles and set up three tries in the 36-14 win over Samoa to be named both player of the match and series.
But ultimately the panel of Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Ruben Wiki, James Graham and Petero Civoniceva were won over by Grant’s output in England.
Grant was Australia’s best player in the third Test at Leeds and also impressed while deputising for Isaah Yeo as captain when the Kangaroos secured the Ashes in Liverpool.
Walsh, meanwhile, enjoyed an excellent series for Australia, fresh off the back of guiding the Broncos to snap their 19-year wait for an NRL premiership. He was crowned player-of-the-match during his side’s first Ashes Test victory against England, scoring two tries and gaining 243m during the match.
Grant also beat New Zealand star Dylan Brown (left) to the coveted Golden Boot title
The Melbourne Storm hooker impressed judges during Australia’s 3-0 Ashes rout of England
Kiwi forward Joseph Tapine was also in the running and finished behind Grant and Brown in a close vote for the award.
‘Harry showcased his skill and leadership in the first Ashes Series for 22 years and played a key role in Australia’s win over their great rivals,’ IRL chair Troy Grant said.
‘He constantly had the England defence back-pedalling with his clever dummy-half running, topped the tackle count for the Kangaroos, captained Australia at Liverpool and scored a brilliant try to blow the match open at Leeds.
‘For Harry to perform at that level – and with the same consistency – on the international stage, confirms his standing as one of the game’s best players.’
Meanwhile, Robinson’s success comes after she was narrowly beaten to the Dally M by Broncos teammate Tamika Upton this year.
After leading the race with two rounds to go, Robinson was rested from the penultimate round and finished three points behind Upton.
Robinson then became the Jillaroos’ leading try-scorer of all time in the Pacific Cup by taking her career tally to 22, highlighted by an acrobatic try of the tournament against Samoa.
‘Her try against Samoa elevated women’s rugby league to another level,’ Troy Grant said.
‘Fans around the world marvelled at Julia’s ability to time her run perfectly and fly through the air like a superhero.’
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Reece Walsh is SNUBBED from top international award after Broncos superstar’s standout season
By Joshua Osinowo
A three-day basketball boot camp organised by the Ready Leaders Foundation is currently underway at the Alake Sports Centre inside the Ijeja Stadium, Abeokuta, Ogun State, attracting young female talents from across the region.
The initiative is led by former youth international and Ogun State basketball standout star, Onome Akinbode-James, who returned from the United States where she is a student at Duke University, to host the programme.
Onome, a 2016 silver medal winner at the U-16 Afro-Basket Tournament in Madagascar, said the basketball camp , was an opportunity to empower girls through sport, leadership and personal development.
According to the organisers, turnout for the event has been impressive, with 60 players and 15 coaches participating in the intensive sessions. The girls have been fully kitted for the programme, which focuses not only on basketball techniques but also on life skills and personal growth.
The camp, which started yesterday, continues until Friday and features top female coaches in Nigeria working hands-on with participants.
Organisers noted the programme is designed to introduce “new dimensions of basketball learning” while also giving young athletes exposure and mentorship opportunities.
The Ready Leaders Foundation hopes the camp will inspire future stars and strengthen female participation in the sport across Ogun State and beyond.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has been handed a lifeline by the club’s hierarchy despite Wednesday night’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League.
The defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu came after goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland turned the match in City’s favour, cancelling out an early finish from Rodrygo. Speaking after the game, Alonso admitted his side were not mentally sharp enough to withstand City’s pressure.
“It was a very competitive match with different moments. We started strongly with Rodrygo’s goal and a few other chances, but when you are not at your best mentally, in ten minutes they took the lead from very little, with the corner and the penalty,” Alonso said.
He added that the squad continued battling despite a growing list of injury problems. The coach said, “The team kept going right until the end and has not lost face despite all the difficulties we are facing, like injuries.”
The loss fuelled fresh speculation around Alonso’s future, particularly after reports suggested the club could sack him if Madrid fell again to Pep Guardiola’s side. The tension around the Bernabeu was already heavy after fans booed the players off during last weekend’s shock 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo.
However, Spanish outlet Marca reports that Real Madrid have decided to give Alonso more time to steady the team. They have won only two of their last eight matches across all competitions and have slipped in both the LaLiga and Champions League tables.
Despite their faltering form, Madrid remain inside the automatic qualification places for the Champions League, sitting seventh, with the top eight securing spots for next season.
Several senior players were said to have voiced their support for Alonso in the dressing room after the loss to City, urging the club to stick with the manager as they continue searching for consistency.
Real Madrid travel to Alaves on Sunday in the Spanish La Liga as they look to halt their slide.
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Joe Aribo could be set for a sensational return to Scottish Premiership giants, Rangers, DAILY POST reports.
Aribo left the Light Blues for Southampton in July 2022.
The Nigeria international has struggled for regular playing time at Southampton this season, managing just 114 minutes of action.
The 29-year-old has reportedly been told he can seek a move elsewhere by the Saints.
Turkish Super Lig clubs, Göztepe and Trabzonspor are said to be interested in the player.
A return to Rangers in January is also said to be on the card for Aribo, according to reports in Scotland.
The midfielder remain a popular figure at the Ibrox following an impressive three-year spell.
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has been named Sportsman of the Year in Turkey, Completesports.com reports.
Osimhen went home with the individual accolade at the 2025 GQ Türkiye Men of the Year Awards.
The Nigeria international was instrumental to Galatasaray’s domestic success last season.
Read Also:Done Deal: Super Falcons Forward Joins NWSL Club North Carolina Courage
The 26-year-old registered 37 goals and seven assists across all competitions for Okan Buruk’s men.
Osimhen has scored 11 times in 14 outings across all competitions for the Yellow and Reds in the current campaign.
The striker expressed gratitude to the organisers, the club, and the supporters after receiving the award.
“I want to say a big thank you to GQ. Can’t forget my Galatasaray family. This means so much to me and my family. I appreciate everyone who has supported me up to this hour,” he said. “I will continue to do my best for my family, for Galatasaray, for the fans all over the world,” he stated.
By Adeboye Amosu
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Michigan coach Sherrone Moore’s night from hell ends in jail over alleged assault after married father-of-three fired from $30m job
Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was spending the night behind bars after a tumultuous day that began with the implosion of his career over an affair with a staffer.
Moore, 39, a married father-of-three, was sacked for the ‘inappropriate relationship’ on Wednesday and just hours later detained over an assault at an apartment complex in Ann Arbor.
The coach was in custody at Washtenaw County Jail early Thursday after the alleged assault on the 3000 block of Ann Arbor Saline Road.
Pittsfield Police responded to the apartment at 4.10pm Wednesday, just moments before it was publicly announced that Moore was fired from his $6million per-year coaching job.
The University of Michigan had uncovered evidence of ‘an inappropriate relationship with a staffer’ and swiftly released him from the lucrative coaching gig.
The identity of the staffer has not been revealed publicly. Moore has been married since 2015 to his wife, Kelli, the mother of their three children.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel stunned the college football world with his shock announcement about Moore on Wednesday.
‘This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior,’ Manuel said.
Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore, pictured with wife Kelli, was taken into police custody hours after he was fired from his job as police investigated an alleged assault
Moore has been married to his wife, Kelli, since 2015. They share three daughters together. Moore was fired earlier in the day over an alleged ‘inappropriate relationship’
Moore was arrested after the alleged assault on the 3000 block of Ann Arbor Saline Road
An anonymous source told The Athletic that the school received a tip regarding the relationship, which led to the investigation.
That inquiry did not initially produce evidence of a relationship, but ‘additional evidence came to light in the last 24 hours that led to Moore’s dismissal.’
Moore, who went 16-8 as the head coach of the now-No. 18 Wolverines, was set to coach the team in the Citrus Bowl against the No. 13 ranked Texas Longhorns on New Years Eve.
Associate head coach Biff Poggi has been elevated to interim head coach in the wake of the firing.
Moore was hired under former head coach Jim Harbaugh – the current head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers – as the tight ends coach in 2018. He worked his way up to becoming the offensive coordinator by 2021.
In 2023, while Harbaugh was suspended in the midst of recruiting violations as well as a sign-stealing scandal, Moore served as interim head coach and led the Wolverines to victory in all four contests.
After Harbaugh left at the conclusion of Michigan’s 2023 national championship-winning season, Moore was elevated to being the full-time head coach.
The Wolverines went 8-5 under Moore in his first season – beating fierce rivals Ohio State and winning the ReliaQuest Bowl.
This year, while they couldn’t beat Ohio State, Michigan improved to a 9-3 record.
Moore was officially hired as Michigan’s head football coach in 2024 on a lucrative contract
Moore took over from Jim Harbaugh after he left for the Los Angeles Chargers job. Moore served as interim coach for Harbaugh amid a pair of scandals in the 2023 season.
Earlier in the season, Moore was suspended for two games after he was found to have deleted text messages sent to Connor Stallions – the former Michigan analyst at the center of the sign-stealing scandal.
Moore signed a deal in 2024 that would pay him roughly $6million per year through the 2029 season.
His buyout was listed at $13.89million, according to USA Today’s college football salary database.
It was the second-lowest buyout among all listed Big Ten coaches – with the exception of USC and Northwestern, which are private schools and do not publicly disclose contract details.
However, due to Michigan’s move to fire Moore for cause, it’s possible they’d be off the hook for some – or all – of that buyout figure.
The news stunned the college football world, with fans reacting in shock.
Dave Portnoy, a Michigan alum and the founder of Barstool Sports, posted, ‘On a serious note there have been a lot of schools over the years who have looked the other way with scandals. I’d just like to say I’m proud that Michigan refused to do the same.’
Earlier this season, Moore was suspended two games for his role in a sign-stealing scandal
Prior to Michigan, Moore played on the offensive line at the University of Oklahoma.
He then got his coaching start as a graduate assistant at Louisville, where he would eventually become the tight ends coach.
From there, he moved to Central Michigan for the same job. In 2017, he had the titles of associate head coach and recruiting coordinator added to his role.
The timing of this firing couldn’t be any worse for the Wolverines – not because of the bowl game, but because of the few available coaches they could hire to replace Moore.
2025 saw a much busier-than-normal coaching carousel – with top schools hiring and firing coaches left and right.
This season, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida, Penn State, UCLA, Virginia Tech, Michigan State and many more Division-I schools went out and hired themselves new coaches.
Now, Michigan is caught in a situation where the pool of suitable candidates who can match the ambition of this storied job is aggressively diluted.
Barring the Wolverines going out and poaching a coach who signed an extension this season, or convincing an NFL coach to move to Ann Arbor, it’s more likely than not that Michigan is led in 2026 by someone who is not of the caliber they need.
Two possible coaches who could move to Michigan are Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer (L) and Washington’s Jedd Fisch (R)
The firing may lead to some Michigan players, like quarterback Bryce Underwood, transferring
Possible candidates include under-pressure Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and Washington head coach Jedd Fisch among others.
It may also have a massive effect on the construction of their roster. In addition to the transfer portal opening on January 2, the NCAA allows recruits a 30-day transfer period in the wake of a coach’s firing.
Among the names to watch to enter the portal include star quarterback Bryce Underwood, who Moore flipped from LSU in 2024 before the freshman had a standout season.
Moore is the sixth football staffer hired under Harbaugh who have had run-ins with police.
Former offensive coordinator Matt Weiss was charged with hacking and was accused by federal prosecutors of stealing thousands of private, intimate images of student-athletes. Weiss has pled not guilty to all 24 charges he’s facing.
Director of football operations Jim Minick and assistant coaches Denard Robinson and Greg Scruggs were arrested for alleged DUI.
Michigan’s former director of performance science, Fergus Connolly, was also arrested for DUI – but was also charged with multiple felony counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. After being transported to a hospital, Connolly allegedly attempted to bite someone.
Real Madrid boss, Xabi Alonso has suggested why his team lost 2-1 to Man City in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media in the press room after the game, Alonso suggested that Real Madrid were not at their best mentally against the visitors.
Recall that goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland ensured Pep Guardiola’s side defeated the Los Blancos.
Rodrygo did score a goal for the Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“It was a very competitive match with different moments. We started strongly with Rodrygo’s goal and a few other chances, but when you are not at your best mentally, in ten minutes they took the lead from very little, with the corner and the penalty,” Alonso said.
“The team kept going right until the end and has not lost face despite all the difficulties we are facing, like injuries.”
Real Madrid will now face Alaves in an away LaLiga tie in their next game this weekend.
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has praised his team’s brilliant display against Napoli in Wednesday’s Champions League game.
Recall that Benfica defeated Napoli 2-0 to still keep a slim hope of qualifying for the playoffs.
Reacting after the game, Mourinho stated that the Benfica players worked hard for the victory against Napoli.
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“We started very well, everything we prepared happened and I think the players read the game perfectly. They played well, showed spirit, cohesion, intelligence,” Mourinho told TribalFootball.
“Then they showed class, confidence, and managed to exploit the spaces we found. We caused a lot of problems with Ivanovic getting in behind.
“It’s a great win that keeps us in the fight. The next two games will be extremely tough, against Juventus and Real Madrid, but we’re still in it.”
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Horror as car plows into Anaheim high school running team, hospitalizing eight with one critical
Eight student track athletes from Anaheim High School have been hospitalized with one in a critical condition after being hit by a car at an intersection waiting at a traffic light.
The driver, a 27-year-old male, is under investigation Wednesday night for driving under the influence but no arrest has been made as of yet.
The coach of the high school runners, who are aged between 16 and 17 years old, was following them on a bicycle and was a few feet away when the car, a red Toyota sedan, swerved wildly into where the students were standing near Harbor and North street in Anaheim.
‘They (the students) were on the sidewalk, waiting for the light to turn so they could continue their practice run,’ Matt Suter, a spokesperson at the Anaheim Police department, told the broadcaster.
‘We’re still interviewing witnesses to determine what exactly happened and why this occurred. They (students) have varying degrees of injuries.
‘We’re not worried about fatalities right now, but you never know. We are worried about the students that were hit. The coach saw it happen right in front of his eyes, which is devastating.’
Eight high school athletes have been hospitalized, one critical, after being hit by a car
The high school coach was following behind the runners when the car plowed into them
A security camera caught the moment the car swerved across the intersection
Images from the scene show the red Toyota crumpled in one corner of the intersection with debris strewn across the sidewalk and into the road.
Footage also showed students being loaded onto a stretcher, with one in a neck brace and another bleeding from the arm.
Accoutant Brian Saylors witnessed the horror unfold shortly after 3pm, as well as inadvertently recording the moment via the security camera outside of his nearby office.
‘We had our camera from this side of the building,’ he said to ABC. ‘The traffic was normal, it was busy, going back and forth.
‘We noted the car coming from this direction and turned right, right behind it was the car that ended up right in the corner.
‘It didn’t slow down, it just turned to the right and into the corner where a bunch of schoolkids were waiting for the signal to change.’
Ashleigh Aitkin, the mayor of Anaheim, said: ‘We are still trying to make sense of what happened with an immediate focus on ensuring all who are hurt are getting the best medical care possible.’
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Horror as car plows into Anaheim high school running team, hospitalizing eight with one critical
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Aryna Sabalenka defends upcoming ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios – as prominent tennis presenter rips into the Aussie
- Exhibition match in Dubai on December 28
Aryna Sabalenka is adamant her upcoming ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition clash with Nick Kyrgios will not be a meaningless gimmick that damages women’s sport.
The four-time grand slam champion and world No.1 has defended the contest against Australia’s world No.672 on December 28, claiming it will help take women’s tennis to a higher level.
And the two-time Australian Open winner has no doubt whatever the result in Dubai, there will be one real winner.
‘He’s in a lose-lose situation,’ Sabalenka said of Australia’s injury-hit former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios. ‘I’m in a win-win situation.’
In an interview with the BBC, which itself has been criticised in Britain for deciding to screen the event, Sabalenka dismissed the suggestions of those who believe the women’s game would be belittled if she loses.
‘I don’t agree,’ she said. ‘I am not putting myself at any risk. We are there to have fun and bring great tennis. Whoever wins, wins.’
“I’m going to show that women are strong and powerful.” 💪
Aryna Sabalenka says the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios will continue to help women’s tennis 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/ToG2X3hQvw
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 10, 2025 
World number one Aryna Sabalenka is adamant her ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition clash with Nick Kyrgios on December 28 won’t be a meaningless gimmick that damages women’s sport
Kyrgios – who is widely expected to emerge triumphant – isn’t feeling the pressure, telling reporters: ‘I’ve lost tennis matches before, so it’s not really a big deal’
‘It’s so obvious that the man is biologically stronger than the woman, but it’s not about that. This event is only going to help bring women’s tennis to a higher level.’
That view has been countered by many critics, including leading British TV tennis presenter Catherine Whitaker, who has dismissed the event as ‘a dog whistle publicity stunt’.
She was particularly scathing of Aussie maverick Kyrgios, saying: ‘I see absolutely nothing to be gained for women’s tennis – I see only bleakness.
‘It’s a crass commercial venture and a vehicle for one of the most outspoken misogynists in tennis who just wants attention.’
The match is an echo of the famous 1973 Battle of the Sexes match when Billie Jean King defeated 55-year-old former grand slam winner Bobby Riggs with a reported 90 million TV viewers tuning in.
Four months earlier, Riggs had beaten Australian star Margaret Court in a similar match in Ramona, California.
But Kyrgios, unlike Riggs, is still an active Tour player even though he’s played barely any tennis in 2025 because of injuries.
‘It’s not going to be an easy match for Nick,’ Sabalenka said. ‘I’m going to be there competing and showing women are strong, powerful and good entertainment.’
Kyrgios’s participation has also been criticised because he admitted assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2021 and last year had to distance himself from influencer Andrew Tate after sharing one of the self-proclaimed misogynist’s posts.
But he told BBC Sport he’s a different person now, adding: ‘You make comments when you’re younger and you change.
‘I’m not going to sit here and say I’m an amazing role model, but I’ve grown and I’m definitely more mature now.’
Kyrgios also insisted he wasn’t worried about losing to Sabalenka.
‘This is all a bonus. I’ve lost tennis matches before, so it’s not a big deal,’ he said.