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CAF Unveils Referee, Other Match Officials For Nigeria vs Ivory Coast AFCON Final

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The President of the Confederation of Africa Football, Patrice Motsepe, has urged Nigeria to bid for the FIFA World Cup as he confirmed that the country’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will attend the final of the 2023 AFCON.

At 9 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, the host of the 2023 AFCON, Ivory Coast, and the Super Eagles of Nigeria will clash in the final of the tournament at the Alassanne Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan.

Initial reports claimed that the vice president of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, will attend the final. Recall that the vice president was in attendance when the Super Eagles defeated South Africa via penalties in the semi-final on Wednesday, February 7.

During a press conference at the Palace de la Culture in Trechville, Abidjan on Friday, reporters asked Motsepe when a country in Africa will host the FIFA World Cup again. And the South African football administrator said Nigeria should bid for it.

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He went further to reveal that he would discuss the possibility with President Tinubu when he attends the 2023 AFCON final on Sunday.

The CAF president said, “Nigeria must put in a bid. The Nigerian president (Bola Tinubu) is coming to watch the final on Sunday. I will have a conversation with him about it.”

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Transfer: Chelsea, Man Utd, six others battle for Osimhen

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Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is in contact with up to eight teams about a possible summer transfer.

These clubs include Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Manchester United, Juventus, and Galatasaray.

Osimhen is now on holiday in Nigeria and will take his time deciding on his future club.

This was revealed by Goal’s transfer insider, Valentin Furlan.

Furlan wrote on X on Saturday: “Eight teams have contacted Victor Osimhen, per me and

@RudyGaletti, in the last few days: “Galatasaray, Juventus, PSG, Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, AC Milan, and Real Madrid.

“Osimhen in no rush to decide his future.”

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Reinvented Olympic Balloon Makes Paris Comeback

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The 2024 Summer Olympics might be over, but French authorities are hoping Parisians and tourists can “relive” last year’s magic when the iconic symbol of the Games returns next week.

During the Paris Games, the Olympic cauldron tethered to a balloon flew into the Parisian sky at sunset every day, with thousands flocking to see the seven-metre (23 feet) wide ring of environmentally friendly fire.

On Thursday evening, President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo visited the Tuileries Garden near the Louvre, where workers were installing the redesigned balloon and ring.

“We are going to relive this!” a beaming Macron said in a video posted on X.

The balloon, which will no longer carry the Olympic branding, will take to the skies on June 21 during France’s annual Fete de la Musique festival of street music.

It will be accessible to visitors every summer evening from June 21 to September 14 for the next three years, until the next edition of the Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

Its flame made up of clouds of mist lit by LED rays will remain the same.

The flame is still “100 percent electric”, according to Pierre Viriot, communications director at state-owned power utility EDF.

But unlike last year, it will be turned off at night.

The reconstruction of the balloon and the ring has been financed by the Olympic Organising Committee and EDF.

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Manchester City Endorse AC Milan Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for £46.5m

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Manchester City have completed the signing of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for an initial fee of £46.5 million, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Netherlands international joins the Premier League champions on a five-year contract, becoming Pep Guardiola’s fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, and Rayan Cherki.

Reijnders joins City in time to be eligible for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States later this month, with a potential debut lined up for June 18 against Wydad FC.

“I am ecstatic to be signing for Manchester City,” said Reijnders. “City are one of the biggest teams in the world, with the best coach, world-class players and outstanding facilities. Under Pep Guardiola, City have won so many titles and I want to help keep that going with a lot more success in the coming years.”

Capped 23 times by the Netherlands, Reijnders was an unused substitute in his country’s 8-0 win over Malta on Tuesday night. He enjoyed a standout season with Milan, scoring 15 goals in 54 appearances and earning the Serie A Midfielder of the Season award.

His arrival comes amid the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, with Guardiola looking to bolster City’s midfield options after finishing third in the Premier League last season.

See also Information minister congratulates Super Eagles
Reijnders is expected to play a key role in City’s domestic and international campaigns as they aim to reclaim the league title and secure more silverware under Guardiola’s leadership.

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