EPL: Guardiola declares Rodri ‘best player in the world’

Published

11 months ago

August 22, 2025

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, said Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is fit to return against Tottenham on Saturday and remains for him “the best player in the world.”

The Spanish midfielder missed the majority of last season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Arsenal in September.

Rodri made his return towards the end of the campaign before a setback saw the 29-year-old miss parts of pre-season and last weekend’s 4-0 win at Wolves to begin City’s Premier League campaign.

“He’s still so far the best player in the world until we elect a new one in a few months,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“I don’t have any doubts about his potential and quality.

“Just consistency at training, weeks, training, games, minutes, and after everything will be fine.”

Rodri’s comeback is a major boost to City’s chances of winning back the Premier League title after finishing a distant third last season.

There were encouraging signs for Guardiola in the convincing win at Molineux as new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki scored.

Goalkeeper James Trafford also started his first senior game for City in his second spell at the club.

But Guardiola said he is yet to decide who will start in goal against Spurs with Ederson, who has been linked with a move to Galatasaray, now back and available.

“The new players bring a new energy, new everything.

“I’ve changed four or five or six times (backroom) staff, and it’s tough, but they always bring new energy and ideas.

“Players are the same, and James brings his youth and desire to play at the club he was born and grew up in.

“We’re happy with the performance, but it’s just the first game. (We need to) Just be consistent in the way we play and improve in the way we have done, and we have to do better against the Spurs.”

City defender Ruben Dias also signed a two-year extension to his contract on Friday, keeping the Portuguese international at the Etihad until 2029.

“I am thrilled. City is where I want to be — at the top of the sport, competing for trophies,” said 28-year-old Dias, who joined the club from Benfica in 2020.

“The club’s ambition aligns perfectly with mine, and as a footballer, there is nothing better than that.

“I love Manchester — it is my home now — and I love the Manchester City fans.

“When I think about the trophies we have won and the way we have played our football during my time here, I couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else.”

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CAF Accepts Joint Bid Of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger To Host 2032 AFCON

Published

11 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially accepted the joint declaration of interest submitted by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The decision follows a productive meeting between CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and the presidents of the football federations of the three countries.

The joint bid is being spearheaded by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger seeking to stage Africa’s biggest football tournament together for the first time.Women’s Football Apparel

CAF commended the three nations for their collective ambition and commitment to strengthening regional cooperation through football, describing the initiative as a significant step towards promoting unity and development across the continent.

The acceptance of the declaration of interest marks the beginning of the bidding process, with the three countries expected to continue working with CAF to meet the requirements for hosting the 2032 AFCON.

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Sports

NSSF boss, Olabisi Joseph elected ISF Africa president

Published

12 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation, Mrs Olabisi Joseph, has been elected Continental President for Africa of the International School Sport Federation during the 2026 ISF General Assembly in Belgrade, Serbia, The PUNCH reports.

A total of 82 countries attended the General Assembly, with 79 votes cast during the election.

Joseph’s emergence makes history as she becomes the first African woman and the first woman in the history of the ISF to be elected to the continental leadership position.

Her election is seen as another milestone for Nigeria’s growing influence in the development and administration of school sports across Africa.

In a statement signed by NSSF Secretary-General Oba Funsho, the federation congratulated Joseph on her achievement and pledged its support for her tenure.

“On behalf of the NSSF executives, state coordinators, management, staff and the entire Nigerian student community, we celebrate this milestone and pledge our full support as she takes on this continental responsibility to advance school sports for African children,” the statement read.

“We congratulate her and wish her a successful and impactful tenure.”

Joseph made history in 2019 when she became the first female president of the NSSF after emerging unopposed at the federation’s elective congress held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

A former secretary of the federation, she was re-elected for a second term during the NSSF Annual General Meeting held in Lagos in 2024.

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Sports

Rafiu Durosinmi set to become Genk’s record signing

Published

12 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Super Eagles sriker Rafiu Durosinmi is set to become Genk’s most expensive signing after the Belgian club agreed a €10.5m (about N16.6bn) deal with Pisa for the Nigerian striker, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

According to Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, the deal includes performance-related bonuses, while Pisa will also retain a 10 per cent sell-on clause.

The transfer will eclipse Genk’s previous record of €7m, paid to Celta Vigo for Theo Bongonda in 2019.

Durosinmi, 23, only joined Pisa from Czech side Viktoria Plzen in January for a fee believed to be around €9m. However, he struggled to make an impact in Italy, scoring once in 12 competitive appearances.

Pisa’s relegation from Serie A has also influenced the decision to cash in on the Nigerian, with the club now set to recover most of their investment while retaining a stake in any future transfer.

Genk, meanwhile, are betting on Durosinmi rediscovering the form that made him one of the most highly-rated strikers in the Czech Republic.

The Belgian club have enjoyed success with Nigerian forwards, with Paul Onuachu becoming one of the league’s most prolific strikers before earning a move to the Premier League.

Tolu Arokodare also revived his career at Genk, winning the Belgian Pro League Golden Boot before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Standing at 1.92 metres, Durosinmi fits the profile of the powerful centre-forward the club has traditionally developed, and Genk believe he can follow the same path as his compatriots.

The move could also boost his Super Eagles ambitions. With Victor Osimhen, Onuachu, Arokodare and Akor Adams competing for places in Eric Chelle’s attack, regular football and goals in Belgium could bring Durosinmi back into contention for Nigeria.

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