Interviewer: "Is pineapple on pizza acceptable?" 🍍🍕

Chiesa: "I don't care."

Interviewer: "Can you have a cappuccino after 12 o'clock?"

Chiesa: "I don't care."

Interviewer: "If I went to your house, what would be your signature dish?"

Chiesa: "Don't come to my house."

🥲😂

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has officially confirmed the venue and schedule for the African Qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Inter-Continental Playoff tournament. 

This high-stakes mini-tournament will determine the final African team to compete for the continent's last slot at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The playoff tournament will be held from November 13 to 16, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco. It features four African powerhouses: Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
 
The semi-finals are scheduled for Thursday, November 13, 2025, and will be played at two venues: El Barid Stadium and the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex. A draw on October 30, 2025, will determine the specific venue for each fixture.
 
The confirmed semi-final matches are: Nigeria's Super Eagles vs. Gabon — Kick-off at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT). Cameroon vs. DR Congo — Kick-off at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).

The winner of the tournament will advance to the FIFA Inter-Continental Play-off in March 2026. This is where they will compete for Africa’s 10th and final slot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
 
The tournament’s grand final is slated for Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium, kicking off at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT). 

This represents the last hurdle for one of these four nations to join Africa’s already-qualified teams on football's biggest stage.

Galatasaray President, Dursun Özbek has disclosed that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen’s contract with the club does not contain a release clause.
 
Osimhen, who was on loan to Galatasaray last season, joined the Turkish Süper Lig champions on a permanent transfer this summer, officially ending his time with Italian side Napoli. That permanent deal was finalized after Galatasaray reportedly triggered the €75 million release clause in Osimhen’s Napoli contract.

Addressing widespread speculation that a similar exit clause was included in his new contract with Galatasaray, Özbek put the reports to rest, revealing that there was no such thing.

“Osimhen’s contract does not have an exit clause. He is extremely successful and will serve Galatasaray for many years," Özbek stated.
 
The President acknowledged the high transfer fee paid to Napoli but defended the investment: "It may be said that the amount we transferred [to Napoli] was high, but today the price of the football public service is low and the player’s value is much higher.”

Özbek assured stakeholders of the club’s adherence to regulations, adding, "Every footballer’s contract we make is very transparent. Contracts in accordance with the rules of TFF [Turkish Football Federation] and UEFA. Our values that suit Galatasaray and our march to success will continue unchanged.”

England winger Marcus Rashford has said he is enjoying his time at Barcelona as the Catalan club holds an option to make his move from Manchester United permanent.

Barcelona signed Rashford on loan from United in the summer transfer window and have the option to make the move permanent next summer for £28 million.

United manager Ruben Amorim made it clear that Rashford had no future at Old Trafford, and the 27-year-old spent the summer holding out for a move to the Spanish champions.

Rashford has made a bright start for Barca with five goals and four assists in 12 appearances so far this season.

The England international is keen to become a permanent member of Hansi Flick’s squad.

Asked if he wants to stay at Barcelona, Rashford told ESPN: ‘Oh yeah, for sure.

‘I’m enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player is an honour.’

Rashford also feels that it was time for a change in his career having been with United since he was seven years old.

‘It was so many years in one place. People forget this, but 24 years, 23 years of my life was with Manchester United,’ Rashford said.

‘So sometimes you just need a change. I think maybe this is the case with me and yeah, I’m enjoying everything.’

Vincent Kompany has signed a new contract to remain head coach at Bayern Munich until summer 2029, extending his original deal that was set to run until 2027.

The Belgian manager took over Bayern in summer 2024 and guided them to Bundesliga glory in his first season, winning the title back off Bayer Leverkusen.

He then picked up more silverware this August with the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup.

"It feels like I've been here a lot longer and that I know the club well," former Manchester City captain Kompany said in a statement.

"It's been a great experience so far. We've started on a wonderful journey. Let's keep working hard and celebrate much more success!"

“I’m delighted about this extension,” said Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl. “When we signed Vinny, we had a clear imagination of our path together, and he’s quickly proved that he’s taking Bayern forward both on and off the pitch.

“He’s a figure of identification who unites the players, the fans and everyone at the club. And we want to create something long term with him.”

The 39-year-old coach has Bayern flying with 11 wins in 11 games this season, sitting atop the Champions League and Bundesliga tables.

Over his 67 competitive matches at the helm, Kompany has won 49 (nine draws, nine defeats). His record in the Bundesliga reads 32 wins, seven draws, and only two defeats across 41 matches, which works out at 2.51 points per game. Only Pep Guardiola boasts a better return in the league’s history (2.52).

Super Falcons forward, Ifeoma Onumonu has announced her retirement from professional football, concluding a career that spanned more than a decade across the United States, France, and Nigeria.

The 31-year-old shared the news in a statement on Instagram in the early hours of Saturday, October 4, expressing deep gratitude for her journey and calling her retirement a “natural conclusion” to a lifelong discovery that began at the age of eight.

"It is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to my playing career on the pitch,” Onumonu wrote. 

She reflected on her earliest memories playing with a youth team called Magic in the United States, recalling the joy of simply being on the field: “All I wanted to do was run as fast as I could and score. I didn’t much care about winning or losing; I just loved playing.”

 Onumonu noted she "had the profound pleasure of lifting an NWSL championship trophy, representing Nigeria at the Olympics and a World Cup, and helping to lift the African Cup of Nations trophy with the Super Falcons for a historic 10th time.”

“This is not a goodbye to football, but a new beginning,” she stated. “I am excited to explore opportunities off the pitch, using the skills and lessons learned from my time on it.”

 “Thank you to all the staff, teammates, coaches, doctors, fans, and my incredible friends and family for your unwavering support through the years. Although my time as a player has come to an end, my love and devotion for this game will never waver.” she concluded

The American-born striker, who made her senior debut for Nigeria in 2021, was part of the country’s 2023 Women’s World Cup squad and also represented the Super Falcons at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. She featured in the team’s WAFCON triumph in July 2025, which secured the country’s record-extending 10th continental title.

Her involvement in that tournament, held in Morocco, was limited to a 54-minute outing in the goalless draw against Algeria during the group stage. Despite limited playing time, she remained one of the squad’s older players.

The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has named 23 players ahead of the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and the Benin Republic.

The Malian tactician handed a first call-up to Sevilla of Spain striker Akor Adams, with Captain Willian Troost-Ekong leading the list, while Semi Ajayi, Terem Moffi, Alhassan Yusuf, and Olakunle Olusegun all return after spells away from the national side.

Stanley Nwabali keeps his spot as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, with Amas Obasogie and Adebayo Adeleye named as backups. The defensive lineup includes Felix Agu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi, Benjamin Fredrick, and Calvin Bassey.

In midfield, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alhassan Yusuf bring a blend of experience and dynamism to the squad.

See full squad below..

Goal Keepers

Stanley Nwabali

Amas Obasogie

Adebayo Adeleye

Defenders

Felix Agu

Bruno Onyemaechi

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Semi Ajayi

William Troost-Ekong

Calvin Bassey

Benjamin Fredrick

Midfielders 

Alex Iwobi

Wilfred Ndidi

Frank Onyeka

Alhassan Yusuf

Forwards

Simon Moses

Ademola Lookman

Tolu Arokodare

Victor Osimhen

Terem Moffi

Cyriel Dessers

Samuel Chukwueze

Akor Adams

Ola Olusegun

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, has become the first Nigerian to score 10 goals in the UEFA Champions League (UCL). 

The 26-year-old striker reached the milestone after scoring the lone goal in Galatasaray’s 1-0 win over Liverpool at the RAMS Park on Tuesday night, September 30.

Osimhen converted a penalty kick with Alisson Becker diving the wrong way after Dominic Sobozlai had smacked Barış Alper Yılmaz in the face to concede the penalty.

The goal took Osimhen ahead of Obafemi Martins to become the highest scoring Nigerian in the UCL, excluding qualification matches.

He also became the first Nigerian to score for three different clubs in the UCL. He had earlier scored for Lille and Napoli in the competition.

Brighton and Hove Albion have congratulated Nigeria international Chiamaka Nnadozie for finishing fourth in the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year category at the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
 
Nnadozie was one of five goalkeepers shortlisted for the award, which was won by England and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton. Ann-Katrin Berger of Germany and Gotham finished second, Spain and Barcelona’s Cata Coll placed third, while Netherlands and Arsenal’s Daphne van Domselaar came fifth.

Reacting to the achievement, Brighton wrote on their women’s X handle:
“Chiamaka Nnadozie is fourth in the #TrophéeYachine rankings at this year’s #BallonDor! Congratulations on your nomination, Chiamaka!”

Meanwhile, Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu also secured fourth place in the Women’s Coach of the Year award. The category was won by Sarina Wiegman of the Netherlands, who guided England to victory at the European Women’s Championship.

Madugu earned recognition for leading the Super Falcons to a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco.

Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca has told Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi that their struggles at Stamford Bridge are nothing compared to the tough life his father endured as a fisherman.

Speaking at a press conference, Maresca drew a sharp comparison:

“My father is 75 years old and for 50 years he has been a fisherman, working from two o’clock in the morning until 10 in the morning. That is a hard life. Not for players.”

Sterling, 30, remains Chelsea’s highest-paid player on more than £300,000 a week but has been exiled from the first team, training alone at Cobham with no path back into the squad. Disasi, 27, finds himself in the same situation, though on a smaller wage and with a contract that runs until 2029.
 
The Professional Footballers’ Association has raised concerns, ensuring both players still have proper facilities as they wait for the January transfer window.

Sterling recently broke his silence, posting a late-night training picture on Instagram, highlighting the lonely reality of life in Chelsea’s so-called “bomb squad.”
 
Maresca, however, downplayed suggestions of unfair treatment:

“I’ve been in Raheem’s and Axel’s situation as a player, and I know it’s not the best feeling. But this happens at every club in the world. If you are not involved in the squad, you are simply not involved.”

Sterling has yet to play a game under Maresca. His last Chelsea appearance was in May 2024, under Mauricio Pochettino, before spending a loan spell at Arsenal where he failed to replicate his Manchester City form.

The winger’s exclusion has sparked debate in English football, with some calling it disrespectful given his decorated career — four Premier League titles, five League Cups, an FA Cup, and 82 England caps.