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Finidi To Manage Super Eagles Against Ghana

Int’l friendly: Finidi To Manage Super Eagles Against Ghana, Mali

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Int’l friendly: Finidi To Manage Super Eagles Against Ghana, Mali—-Former Nigeria forward Finidi George will occupy the chief’s corner in the dugout when the Super Eagles confront West African arch-rivals Ghana in an international friendly in Marrakech on Friday.
A statement by Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Tuesday said George had been appointed by the NFF to hold the reins in the meantime.
A group of 22 players are expected to engage Ghana and Mali in this month’s international window.
“On Friday, George, from a family of football stars (elder brother Alari and younger brother Igeniwari of blessed memory were established players), will bellow instructions from the touchline.
“This is coming 21 months after he began to understudy Portuguese José Santos Peseiro, who led the Eagles to runners-up position at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire earlier in the year,” it said.
George, a former Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis winger, made a scoring debut for Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Burkina Faso at the National Stadium, Lagos on  July 27, 1991.
On his debut in 1991, George, who also featured for Calabar Rovers and Sharks FC in the domestic scene before heading to Europe, scored one and made four assists for legendary ‘goalsfather’ Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory).
He also assisted the latter to score Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA on 19th June 1994.
Actually, George scored the goal that took Nigeria to her first FIFA World Cup finals, when he put Nigeria ahead against hosts Algeria in a crucial qualifier in Algiers on 8th October 1993.
The match eventually ended 1-1 and earned Nigeria a ticket to the finals in America.
The statement added that, as at Tuesday’s lunchtime, 12 of the 22 players expected had arrived in Morocco’s fourth-largest city.
It said that defenders Gabriel Osho and Tyronne Ebuehi, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi having been knocked out by injury.
“At the team’s Adam Park Hotel in Marrakech are goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi and Benjamin Tanimo.
“Also are midfielders Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar and Ademola Lookman.
“Others include goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defender Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and forward Kelechi Iheanacho were being expected in Marrakech by Tuesday.
“Only Turkey-based defender Bright Osayi-Samuel is being expected on Wednesday,” it stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African vice champions will take on Ghana on Friday before confronting Les Aigles of Mali at the same Grand Stade de Marrakech on March 26.

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BREAKING: Kane Completes Historic Ballon d’Or and Gerd Müller Trophy Double

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BREAKING: Kane Completes Historic Ballon d’Or and Gerd Müller Trophy Double—-Harry Kane added another remarkable achievement to his historic night by winning the 2026 Gerd Müller Trophy alongside the Men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first player to claim both honours in the same year.

The Gerd Müller Trophy recognises the season’s leading goalscorer, making it a fitting addition to Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph after a prolific 2025/26 campaign for Bayern Munich and England.

The England captain reportedly scored 73 goals in 65 appearances across club and international football, underlining the extraordinary scoring form that helped propel him to the top of the individual honours.

Kane’s double recognition highlights two distinct aspects of his season: his overall performances, rewarded by the Ballon d’Or, and his outstanding goalscoring output, recognised by the Gerd Müller Trophy.

It also adds to the significance of a night in which Kane ended England’s 25-year wait for a Ballon d’Or winner and became Bayern Munich’s first recipient since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.

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OFFICIAL: Harry Kane Wins 2026 Ballon d’Or, Becomes Bayern Munich’s First Winner Since Rummenigge

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OFFICIAL: Harry Kane Wins 2026 Ballon d’Or, Becomes Bayern Munich’s First Winner Since Rummenigge—-The England captain ends a 25-year wait for an English winner and becomes the first Bayern Munich player to claim football’s most prestigious individual award since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.

Harry Kane has been crowned the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or winner, capping a remarkable season with Bayern Munich and England to secure the biggest individual honour of his career.

The 33-year-old striker was announced as the winner at Monday’s ceremony in London on October 26, beating a competitive field featuring Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and eight-time winner Lionel Messi.

Kane’s triumph represents a historic moment for both English and German football, ending two lengthy waits for the prestigious award. He becomes the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001 and the first Bayern Munich player to claim it since Rummenigge in 1981.

Kane’s Extraordinary Season Seals Ballon d’Or Glory

Kane’s award follows a prolific 2025/26 campaign in which he recorded 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country, underlining his status as one of the world’s most effective attacking players.

His performances were central to Bayern Munich’s domestic success, as the German giants retained the Bundesliga title and continued their pursuit of silverware across competitions.

Beyond his goalscoring numbers, Kane’s movement, finishing, link-up play and leadership made him a crucial figure for Bayern, helping the England captain strengthen his case for football’s most coveted individual prize.

First Bayern Winner Since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

Kane’s victory ends Bayern Munich’s 45-year wait for a Ballon d’Or winner.

The club’s previous recipient was Rummenigge, who claimed the award in consecutive years in 1980 and 1981 during his distinguished playing career.

Kane now joins an exclusive group of Bayern legends to have won the honour, alongside Rummenigge, Gerd Müller and Franz Beckenbauer.

The achievement further strengthens Kane’s legacy in Munich after his move from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, when he arrived in Germany determined to compete for major trophies and elevate his career to another level.

Kane Ends England’s 25-Year Wait

For English football, Kane’s victory ends a quarter-century drought that stretches back to Owen’s triumph in 2001.

Owen won the award following an outstanding year with Liverpool, during which he helped the club secure five trophies, including the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup.

Kane now becomes the fifth Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, following Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen. His success places him among the most celebrated English players in the history of the sport.

A Landmark Achievement for England’s Captain

Kane’s success also reflects his continued importance to the England national team. His goalscoring form for club and country helped strengthen his position among the leading contenders during a season in which individual performances and international achievements carried significant weight.

After years of prolific scoring in the Premier League with Tottenham, Kane’s move to Bayern has brought further team success and now the individual recognition that had eluded him.

The Ballon d’Or represents another milestone for a striker whose career has been defined by consistency, professionalism and an exceptional ability to find the net.

Kane Takes His Place Among Football’s Elite

Winning the Ballon d’Or places Kane among a select group of footballers to have received the award, which has recognised the game’s outstanding individual performers since 1956.

His victory is particularly significant because it brings an end to two historic droughts: England’s wait since 2001 and Bayern Munich’s since 1981.

For Kane, the achievement crowns a remarkable campaign and adds a defining chapter to his career. For Bayern and English football, it marks a long-awaited return to the top of the Ballon d’Or podium.

 

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