Sports
Super Eagles drop in latest FIFA rankings as Spain climb to 3rd

By Francesca Hangeior
The Super Eagles have dropped to 39th position in the latest FIFA rankings, slipping one place from their previous rank of 38th.
This comes as Spain, the new Champions of Europe, leap five places to claim the 3rd position globally.
The Super Eagles, currently without a manager following Finidi George’s resignation, remain within the top five teams on the African continent.
Morocco, ranked 14th in the world, retains its status as the number one team in Africa, a position solidified by their historic semi-final run in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Teranga Lions of Senegal follow closely, ranking 19th globally.
Mo Salah’s Egypt is positioned 36th in the world, while Sebastien Haller’s Ivory Coast holds the 38th spot, placing them third and fourth in Africa, respectively.
Nigeria completes the top five in Africa, despite their slight drop in global rankings.
The rest of Africa’s top ten includes Tunisia (41), Algeria (46), Cameroon (51), Mali (53), and South Africa (57).
On the global stage, EURO 2024 winners Spain have moved from eighth to third, reflecting their recent success. England, the runners-up, have also improved their standing, moving up to fourth.
Argentina maintain its position at the top of the rankings after adding the 2024 Copa America trophy to their 2022 FIFA World Cup victory. France remain steady in second place.
Sports
Osimhen’s brace fires Galatasaray to Turkish cup glory

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen delivered a sensational performance, scoring twice to lead Galatasaray to a commanding 3-0 victory over Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup final at Gaziantep Stadium.
The win secured Galatasaray’s 19th Turkish Cup title and their first since 2019.
Osimhen has been instrumental throughout Galatasaray’s cup run, bagging a brace in their 2-1 quarter-final win over Fenerbahçe and adding a goal and assist in the 5-1 semi-final rout of Konyaspor.
Facing a determined Trabzonspor side, last year’s runners-up, Galatasaray struck early through Baris Alper Yilmaz, who finished off a precise cutback from Yunus Akgün in the 5th minute.
Osimhen took center stage in the second half. He powered through a defender to double the lead, then capped a swift counter-attack with his second goal, his 35th of the season, putting the result beyond doubt.
The match also saw Osimhen face off against compatriot Anthony Nwakaeme, who was hoping to inspire Trabzonspor to glory on his return.
This triumph marks Osimhen’s first trophy with Galatasaray and the fourth of his career, adding to his U-17 World Cup, U-23 AFCON (both in 2015), and Serie A (2023) titles.
His 35-goal haul also sets a new record, surpassing Mario Jardel’s 24-year milestone to become the highest-scoring foreign player in a single season for Galatasaray.
Sports
Flying Eagles beat Senegal, advance to U-20 AFCON semifinals

Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have secured a place in the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations U-20 tournament and qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Senegal.
The tightly contested knockout stage encounter ended goalless after regular and extra time, with both teams unable to find the back of the net.
Ultimately, it was Nigeria who triumphed 3–1 in the penalty shootout.
The match, held in the knockout stage of the continental youth championship, saw the two sides locked in a stalemate throughout regulation and extra time.
Despite numerous attempts from both sides, neither team could break the deadlock, leading to a penalty decider.
Nigeria converted three of their spot-kicks, while Senegal managed only one, allowing the Flying Eagles to clinch the win and progress to the last four of the competition.
The result not only sends Nigeria into the semifinals of the U-20 AFCON but also confirms their place in the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Sports
Brazil appoints Carlo Ancelotti as national team coach

Veteran Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti has been officially appointed as the new head coach of Brazil’s national football team, according to reports by sports journalist David Ornstein. The 65-year-old will take over the role on May 26, immediately after overseeing his final match with Real Madrid against Real Sociedad in La Liga.
Ancelotti’s appointment marks a historic moment as he becomes the first foreigner to manage Brazil’s senior men’s team. Ornstein confirmed that all agreements have been finalized and contracts signed, with the transition negotiated amicably between Ancelotti, Real Madrid, and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The deal was led by Diego Fernandes on behalf of the CBF.
One of the most decorated coaches in football history, Ancelotti will be tasked with leading Brazil through their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, aiming for a record-extending sixth World Cup title when the tournament kicks off in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Athletic previously reported that Ancelotti had agreed to take charge through the 2026 World Cup. He will succeed Dorival Júnior, who was dismissed in March after 14 months at the helm.
Ancelotti’s debut on the Brazil touchline is expected on June 6, in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.
Since returning to Real Madrid in 2021, Ancelotti has added two La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy to his illustrious resume, which includes eight major European finals. However, recent performances by Madrid have been underwhelming, including a Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal, a Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona, and trailing Hansi Flick’s side by seven points in La Liga with three games to go.
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