Sports
England prepared for racism fears in Serbia World Cup qualifier — Kane
England captain Harry Kane has confirmed UEFA’s three-step protocol for discriminatory behaviour has been discussed by the players amid fears of racist abuse in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier in Serbia.
Kane and his team are in Belgrade to face Serbia in a vital showdown at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, where the capacity has been reduced by 15 per cent due to previous fan behaviour.
FIFA punished the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) for “discrimination and racist abuse” in a match against Andorra in June.
After the latest in a long line of unsavoury incidents, the FSS has urged Serbian fans to “support our national team in the right way” against England, who faced racist abuse on their 2019 trips to the Balkans in Montenegro and Bulgaria.
Kane was also the Three Lions’ skipper during those incidents in Podgorica and Sofia.
The Bayern Munich striker said England’s players have spoken about UEFA’s protocols and are willing to leave the pitch if necessary.
“We had a meeting and we discussed the protocols from UEFA’s point of view,” he told reporters on Monday. “I don’t think we like to discuss it too much.
“Our focus is on the game. Our focus is on trying to beat Serbia on the pitch.
“Everything can happen, of course, and we’re prepared for that, but ultimately we’re not thinking about that.
“We’re thinking about the football, the game, like the Serbia FA put out, is about enjoying, respectful, enjoy the game, and we hope that’s the case.”
Asked if he was willing to take the players off during the match in protest at any racist abuse, Kane said: “We’re prepared to do what UEFA protocols allow us to do.
“I thought we handled that situation away in Bulgaria really well. And it’ll be no different.
“These are the things that are hard to talk about now, because we don’t know if it’s going to happen or not. But ultimately, like I said, we’re prepared.
“We had a discussion as a group so that if in the event does happen, we’ll be prepared to do what is necessary.”
– ‘Loud but dignified’ –
England boss Thomas Tuchel hopes the high-stakes qualifier between the top two in Group K will pass without any incidents in the stands.
“The people in charge at the FA talked with us about it, yeah. We are aware,” said Tuchel, whose side are five points ahead of Serbia.
“And, still, I always believe in the good, so I always believe that we will have a high-level sporting competition and celebrate the sport for what it is, a respectful and emotional match.”
Serbian fans have been warned by FSS general secretary Branko Radujko to behave on Tuesday or risk damaging their World Cup hopes.
“This match of truth also carries great responsibility. We are still under special monitoring of UEFA,” he said.
“Every inappropriate reaction, insult or incident could cost us dearly on our path to the USA, Mexico and Canada, including the possibility of having to play a decisive match with Albania behind closed doors.
“That is the reason I sincerely and seriously call on you: let us cheer from the heart but let it be fair. We can be loud but dignified. Let our support be a source of strength, not a risk for the national team.”
AFP
Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo on Friday.
Madagascar stunned the home crowd at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium by taking the lead in the 16th minute through E. Kari, who converted a pass from R. Ponti.
Nigeria responded before half-time, with debutant George Ilenikhena restoring parity after combining with Alex Iwobi to finish off the move.
The Super Eagles completed the comeback in the second half when another debutant, Moses Usor, scored to put Eric Chelle’s side 2-1 ahead.
Nigeria held on to secure all three points and make a winning start to their Group L campaign.
The result is particularly significant because Tanzania, one of the group’s co-hosts, already has an automatic place at the 2027 AFCON finals.
Consequently, only the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will claim the remaining qualification ticket from the group.
The Super Eagles will next travel to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday for their second Group L fixture, while Madagascar will face Tanzania.
Nigeria were without Victor Osimhen for the match after the Galatasaray striker was ruled out of the opening two qualifiers while recovering from a muscle injury.
Team FCT have emerged winners of the Abuja Zone of the ongoing 2026 First Bank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation Inter-Secondary School Football Competition.
The FCT side finished top of the zonal standings with 10 points to secure the first position, while Plateau State came second with 7 points.
Other teams that participated in the Abuja Zone competition were representatives from Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
Speaking after FCT emerged champions of the zone, 16-year-old Victor Onyebuchi, an emerging star and a student of GSTC Garki, praised the organisers for providing young footballers with an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Onyebuchi said he had hoped and prayed that FCT would emerge winners of the group, expressing delight that his wish had been fulfilled.
He, however, stressed that the team must work harder ahead of the national final, where they will aim to compete for the overall title.
“I am very happy that FCT emerged winners of the group. I prayed for this and my wish has come true. Now, we have to work harder for the national final and hopefully emerge champions,”
Onyebuchi said.
The promising midfielder also revealed that the competition represents an important platform in his ambition to become a professional footballer.
“My dream is to become a professional footballer in Nigeria and later play for the national team. I believe this tournament can give me the opportunity to achieve that dream.”
The Abuja Zone was one of the zonal centres for the 2026 First Bank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation Inter-Secondary School Football Competition, designed to provide young players with a platform to develop and showcase their football abilities.
Former Super Eagles captain and Al-Ahli star, William Troost-Ekong, has converted to Islam.
Troost-Ekong was said to have recited the Shahadah in Doha, Qatar, where he plays for Qatar Stars League club Al-Ahli, as reported by a Qatari press, “Al-Arab” on Wednesday.
A respected Islamic cleric, Dr Muhammad Salah, also shared a video on his verified Facebook account wherein the defender recited the testimonies.
The 33-year-old defender first moved to the Arab region in the summer of 2024, when he signed for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Khaleej.
He joined Qatari side, Al-Ahli in January 2026 on a one-and-a-half-year contract and has since played 14 matches across all competitions, including a single appearance in the current season.
On the international stage, Ekong won 83 caps for Nigeria between 2015 and 2025, scoring 8 goals.
He reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire and was named best player of that edition.
Troost-Ekong also represented Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games, establishing himself as one of the country’s most experienced defenders of the past decade.
He enjoyed a distinguished international career with Super Eagles, making more than 70 appearances for the Super Eagles.
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