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Kelechi Iheanacho Completes Move To Sevilla

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Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho has arrived in Spain to complete his transfer to La Liga side Sevilla.


Sevilla confirmed Iheanacho’s arrival with a photo of him at the airport and wrote in Igbo: “Nnọọ Kelechi” which in English means “Welcome Kelechi”.

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According to Italian journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Iheanacho is expected to sign a two-year deal with Sevilla.

If he completes the move, he would become the second Nigerian to sign for Sevilla following the arrival of Chidera Ejuke this summer.

Iheanacho would join Sevilla as a free agent after the expiration of his contract at Leicester City, who won promotion back to the Premier League.

The 27-year-old scored 35 goals in 173 games for Leicester and won the FA Cup, Community Shield and the Championship title.

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CAF Fines Benin Republic $30,000 For Misconduct In Rwanda

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According to CAF Disciplinary Board, a fine of $5,000 is for violating article 45 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, while $50,000 is for misconduct by officials at the end of the match.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has fined the Beninese Football Federation $30,000 for non-cooperation during their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda.

According to CAF Disciplinary Board, a fine of $5,000 is for violating article 45 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, while $50,000 is for misconduct by officials at the end of the match.

However, $25,000 is suspended bringing total fines to $30,000 to the Benin Football Federation.

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The statement partly read: “The CAF Disciplinary Board charged the Beninese Football Federation for its non-collaboration with the Disciplinary Board, in violation of article 45 of the CAF Disciplinary Code during their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Qualifiers fixture against Rwanda.

“The CAF Disciplinary Board found the Beninese Football Federation and imposed a fine of USD 5,000 for violation of article 45 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

“The DC Board also imposed a fine of USD 50,000, with USD 25,000 suspended for misconduct of its officials at the end of the match.”

The body said the decision reflects the CAF’s commitment to upholding disciplinary standards in African football.

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It should be recalled that in May 19, 2023, Benin Football Federation was charged following an incident that took place ahead of their TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2023 Cote d’Ivoire qualifier match against Rwanda after the latter complained that during their training session, Benin officials interrupted their official training session.

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EPL: Guardiola rules Man City out of title race, eyes January signings

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Pep Guardiola has declared there is “no chance” of Manchester City winning the Premier League this season.

This comment follows the club’s 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday— their second win in 14 matches across all competitions.

The win leaves City fifth on the table, trailing leaders, Liverpool, by 14 points.

In a late Sunday statement on the Premier League website titled “‘No chance’ – Guardiola rules Man City out of title race,” the Catalan manager admitted the title is already out of reach.

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“Hopefully the new year can help us bounce back,” Guardiola said post-match. “It is not enjoyable right now, it is just relief. We have done incredible things for many years. It is not the best.”

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he was more blunt.

He said, “We are far away from winning the Premier League. We accept there’s already no chance of that, but we have other things to fight for – FA Cup, top four… and winning games helps.”

January reinforcements needed

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With the transfer window opening on Wednesday, Guardiola hinted at incoming signings to bolster his injury-hit squad.

“In some positions we need help,” Guardiola admitted. “When we’re all together, we’re the team we were, but with important players out for weeks and months, it’s so difficult.”

City’s injury struggles, particularly in defense and midfield, have taken their toll.

“I thought central defenders would be fit all season, but we have struggled—holding midfield and central defenders, we need help,” he said.

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“The market is the market—it’s not easy, it’s expensive, so we will see what the club can do.”

Guardiola 500 matches at City

Despite City’s struggles, Sunday’s win marked a personal milestone for Guardiola – his 500th match as Manchester City manager. Reflecting on the achievement, Guardiola spoke with pride.

“Yeah definitely [proud],” he said. “It is better to celebrate it with a victory and the new year. I am so proud. I would cry now. I’m so proud to be a part of this club.”

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“Today when they told me, ‘You are going to do 500 games,’ I said ‘Wow.’ But we are judged in the last 13. In the other 480 games, they have been an incredible period and yeah, more to come.”

Record of dominance

While City’s form has dipped this season, Guardiola’s legacy at the club remains unparalleled. Since his arrival in 2016, no Premier League manager has come close to matching his achievements.

City have claimed six of the last eight Premier League titles, including an unprecedented four in a row last season. They also completed the Treble in 2022/23, echoing Manchester United’s historic feat from 1999.

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Since Guardiola took charge, City have accumulated 45 more points and scored 83 more goals than any other team in the league.

Guardiola is the first Premier League manager to oversee 500 matches since David Moyes hit that landmark with Everton in 2013. As the league’s longest-serving active manager, Guardiola’s reign at City surpasses Brentford’s Thomas Frank by two years.

Only Sir Alex Ferguson, with 13 Premier League titles, has more than Guardiola’s six – but with more milestones ahead, Pep’s chapter in City’s history is far from over.

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FULL LIST: Salah, De Bruyne, Son 79 EPL stars nearing contract expiry

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Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah tops a notable list of 79 Premier League players who will be free to negotiate moves with foreign clubs from January 1.

The Mirror reported on Monday that under the Bosman rule, players in the final six months of their contracts, which expire on June 30, 2025, are permitted to sign pre-contract agreements with clubs abroad.

Salah, along with Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, has sparked speculation over his future as his contract nears its end.

Similarly, Manchester City must make decisions about Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan. De Bruyne, widely regarded as one of the league’s finest midfielders, has yet to confirm his future amidst City’s ongoing challenges.

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Rivals Manchester United face uncertainty, with six players out of contract, including Harry Maguire, Christian Eriksen, and breakout star Amad. Speculation surrounds the Red Devils’ plans, as some players may leave for free or be sold in January.

London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham also face critical moments. Arsenal’s midfielders Thomas Partey and Jorginho are approaching the end of their deals, leaving questions about the club’s long-term strategy. Meanwhile, Tottenham could lose club captain Son Heung-min unless decisive action is taken.

Chelsea are comparatively unaffected, with reserve goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom the sole player nearing contract expiry.

In contrast, Newcastle United and Everton each have eight senior players nearing the end of their contracts. Newcastle’s Callum Wilson and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin are among the notable names.

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Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood, with 11 goals this season, and defender Ola Aina may draw interest from abroad, as their contracts also expire in June.

Here is the full list of Premier League players nearing contract expiry in 2025:

Arsenal – Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Kieran Tierney

Aston Villa – Kortney Hause, Robin Olsen

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Brighton – Tariq Lamptey, Jakub Moder, Joel Veltman, James Milner, Imari Samuels

Brentford – Christian Nørgaard, Josh Dasilva, Ben Mee

Bournemouth – N/A

Chelsea – Lucas Bergstrom

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Crystal Palace – Tyrick Mitchell, Will Hughes, Jeffrey Schlupp, Nathaniel
Clyne, Joel Ward, Remi Matthews

Everton – Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucouré, Michael Keane, Idrissa Gueye, Ashley Young, Seamus Coleman, João Virgínia, Asmir Begović

Fulham – Kenny Tete, Adama Traoré, Raúl Jiménez, Carlos Vinícius, Tom Cairney

Ipswich Town – Axel Tuanzebe, Cameron Burgess, Massimo Luongo

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Leicester City – Jamie Vardy, Daniel Iversen, Danny Ward

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Vítězslav Jaroš

Manchester City – Kevin De Bruyne, İlkay Gündoğan, Scott Carson

Manchester United – Amad, Harry Maguire, Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelöf, Jonny Evans, Tom Heaton

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Newcastle United – Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson, Fabian Schär, Jamaal Lascelles, Martin Dúbravka, Emil Krafth, Mark Gillespie, John Ruddy

Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood, Ola Aina, Harry Toffolo, Willy Boly

Southampton – Kyle Walker-Peters, Adam Lallana, Jack Stephens, Joe Lumley

Tottenham – Son Heung-min, Ben Davies, Fraser Forster, Sergio Reguilón, Alfie Whiteman

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West Ham United – Vladimír Coufal, Danny Ings, Michail Antonio, Łukasz Fabiański, Aaron Cresswell

Wolves – Nélson Semedo, Mario Lemina, Pablo Sarabia, Craig Dawson.

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