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Just in: Osimhen sidelined from Napoli’s squad as Lukaku picks jersey number 9

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Napoli’s Victor Osimhen has found himself sidelined as the Serie A club has handed his iconic number 9 jersey to their new signing, Romelu Lukaku.

This development follows a summer of intense transfer speculation and a reported fallout with the club’s hierarchy, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Nigerian striker, who played a pivotal role in securing Napoli’s first Scudetto in four decades, was at the centre of a tug-of-war between several top clubs.

However, despite last-minute bids from Saudi giants Al-Hilal and English side Chelsea, Osimhen remains with the Partenopei, a situation that has left many fans and pundits puzzled.

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New Napoli manager Antonio Conte, who has a history with Lukaku from their successful stint at Inter Milan, appears to have no place for Osimhen in his plans.

Conte’s preference for the Belgian striker is seen as a key reason behind the decision to strip Osimhen of his number 9 shirt.

Napoli had reportedly reached an agreement with Saudi club Al Ahli for a fee of around £67 million, but negotiations hit a snag when the Italian club demanded a higher fee.

This prompted Al Ahli to shift their focus to Brentford’s Ivan Toney, ultimately securing the English forward for a £40 million move.

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Toney, who had already undergone a medical in London on Deadline Day, became the more straightforward option for the Saudi side.

The failed transfer saga has left Osimhen in a precarious position, with reports suggesting he could be sidelined until January when the transfer window reopens.

This situation is in contrast to his recent successes, including being named African Footballer of the Year and finishing 8th in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

After a successful 2023 season, tensions between the striker and Napoli had already been simmering, especially after the club’s official TikTok account released a controversial video that many interpreted as disrespectful.

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Despite the public fallout, the former Wolfsburg striker extended his contract with Napoli until 2026.

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Sadio Mane Builds $20.4m Mango Processing Plant In Hometown

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Senegalese football star, Sadio Mane, has launched a CFA11.7 billion ($20.4 million) agro-industrial project in his hometown of Bambali, southern Senegal, aimed at expanding mango processing and creating jobs.

The project, known as SM10 Agro, was launched on September 19 in Bambali, Sedhiou Region.

The complex will include a processing plant with an annual capacity of 8,500 tonnes of mangoes, producing mango pulp, dried fruit and mango butter.

It will also include a 500-hectare plantation of Kent mangoes.

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The project is located in Casamance, Senegal’s leading mango-producing region, where limited processing facilities have contributed to significant post-harvest losses.

Senegal loses an estimated 30 to 45 percent of harvested fruit annually, with poor farming practices, harvesting and transportation challenges, and limited processing outlets among the factors contributing to the losses, Ecofin Agency reported.

Speaking at the launch, Mane said he wanted his legacy to extend beyond football.

“I don’t want to be remembered only for the goals I scored. Before the stadiums, the lights and the victories, there was, of course, Bambali. This is where my dreams began… We want to help create jobs and develop agriculture,” Mane was quoted as saying.

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The facility is expected to allow more mangoes to be processed locally, including fruit that may not qualify for export to European Union markets because of phytosanitary requirements.

A 2023 study by the Initiative Prospective Agricole et Rurale, cited by Ecofin Agency, found that existing mango processing facilities in Casamance were concentrated mainly in the Ziguinchor region, while Sedhiou and Kolda remained poorly equipped despite producing local mango varieties.

The study also identified limited access to packaging and labelling services in Casamance as a challenge for processors, forcing some businesses to depend on Dakar for the services.

Mane’s investment comes as Senegal’s mango export industry recovers from recent difficulties linked to fruit-fly infestations and other phytosanitary problems.

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Senegal exported about 27,000 tonnes of mangoes in 2021, but export volumes subsequently declined following problems that affected access to the European market.

Exports to Europe reportedly rose to more than 19,000 tonnes in 2026, up from about 14,000 tonnes the previous season, following improved phytosanitary measures, particularly efforts to control fruit flies.

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Mohammed Salah Fined, Banned In UK From Driving For Six Months Over Speeding Case

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Former Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah, has been banned from driving for six months after failing to identify the person driving his Rolls-Royce when it was caught speeding in Cheshire, United Kingdom.

Court documents reported by the BBC showed that the vehicle was recorded travelling at 36mph in a 30mph zone in Wilmslow on March 27.

Salah, 34, failed to respond to a notice issued by Cheshire Constabulary requiring information about the driver and did not enter a plea.

He was prosecuted at Warrington Combined Court under the Single Justice Procedure, which allows magistrates to deal with certain cases without a public hearing.

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A court spokeswoman said Salah was convicted of failing to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of the vehicle.

He was disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to pay £1,044.

The incident occurred three days after Salah announced his departure from Liverpool at the end of the 2025/26 season, bringing his nine-year spell at the club to an end.

Liverpool had described Salah as oneof the greatest players in the club’s history when it announced his departure on March 24.

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Salah scored 257 goals in 442 appearances for Liverpool before leaving the club for Turkish side Trabzonspor after the 2025/26 season.

He currently plays for Trabzonspor in Turkey.

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Man City Survive Sunderland Scare, Liverpool Sneak Past Bournemouth

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Manchester City moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League after surviving a thrilling Sunderland fightback to claim a 5-3 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

City capitalised on Arsenal’s shock 3-0 defeat to Brighton but were pushed all the way by a Sunderland side that refused to surrender despite falling behind three times.

Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring with his first Premier League goal since his £125 million ($167 million) move from Chelsea, curling a free-kick that caught Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs off guard at his near post.

Sunderland, who had defeated AZ Alkmaar in Europe during the week, showed no signs of fatigue as Brian Brobbey levelled after converting Enzo Le Fee’s pass.

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Rayan Cherki restored City’s lead with a composed finish, only for Brobbey to respond again four minutes later after a slick Sunderland move.

Antoine Semenyo put the hosts back in front before half-time and appeared to have settled the contest when he struck again with an accurate left-footed finish shortly before the hour mark.

But Brobbey completed his hat-trick when Nilson Angulo raced onto a ball over the top and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma before setting up the Sunderland striker.

City were forced to withstand further pressure, with Donnarumma involved in a couple of nervous moments and Ruben Dias clearing the ball off his own goal line.

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Erling Haaland eventually ended Sunderland’s hopes of a comeback by adding City’s fifth goal, while also maintaining his record of scoring against every Premier League opponent he has faced.

The victory extended Enzo Maresca’s perfect start as he takes on the daunting task of succeeding Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager.

Liverpool Edge Bournemouth

Liverpool also secured an important victory, beating Bournemouth 1-0 on Andoni Iraola’s return to the south coast.

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Iraola received a warm reception from Bournemouth supporters after previously guiding the Cherries into Europe for the first time in the club’s history.

His success eventually earned him the Liverpool job, but his start at Anfield has been inconsistent, making Saturday’s victory particularly valuable before the three-week international break.

Liverpool were far from their best but found the decisive breakthrough when Cody Gakpo’s cross fell perfectly for Alexander Isak, who fired home his fourth goal of the season.

The result lifted Liverpool to sixth place, just one point behind third-placed Brighton.

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Leeds Held by Palace

Leeds missed the opportunity to climb into third place after being held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace at home.

Palace thought they had taken the lead in the second half when Tyrick Mitchell found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside during the build-up.

United Under Pressure

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Manchester United will look to ease the pressure on manager Michael Carrick when they travel to bottom-of-the-table Fulham.

United have collected just four points from their opening four league matches and were knocked out of the League Cup by Brighton in midweek after surrendering a 2-0 lead at home for the first time in 50 years.

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