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PHOTOS: Spain World Cup Winners Fabian Ruiz, Gavi Honoured With Body Weight In Tomatoes

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Spain’s World Cup-winning midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Gavi received an unusual homecoming gift on Wednesday after being rewarded with their body weight in tomatoes by their hometown of Los Palacios y Villafranca.

The pair returned to the town, located south of Seville, following Spain’s World Cup triumph in North America. Ruiz, who started the final against Argentina, and Barcelona star Gavi wore their winners’ medals as they were welcomed by local officials and hundreds of supporters during a civic reception at the town hall.

As part of a long-standing local tradition, both players stepped on to weighing scales to determine the amount of tomatoes they would receive. Ruiz will be presented with 85kg, while Gavi is set to collect 68.5kg.

Local officials said the tomato presentation “has become a hallmark of the municipality for honouring its great athletes”.

Former Spain winger Jesus Navas also attended the ceremony. Navas became the first player from Los Palacios y Villafranca to win the World Cup when Spain lifted the trophy in 2010. He and Ruiz were similarly rewarded with tomatoes after Spain won Euro 2024.

The celebrations also included further recognition for the trio. The town’s sports pavilion already bears the names of Navas and Ruiz, while football pitches will now be renamed in honour of Ruiz and Gavi.

“In addition, the town hall will promote the construction of a monument dedicated to the three champions from Los Palacios,” said a town council statement.

“In this way, the city council wants to pay permanent tribute to three athletes who represent the pride of an entire town and who, with their sporting and human trajectory, have become role models for several generations of children and young people.”

See also  Napoli, Lille under probe for fraud in Osimhen ideal

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

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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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See also  Davis Cup: Nigeria earns comeback win against Algeria
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NSSF boss, Olabisi Joseph elected ISF Africa president

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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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Rafiu Durosinmi set to become Genk’s record signing

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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.

See also  See players locked in three-way Golden Boot race at the 2026 World Cup

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