Connect with us

Sports

SEE FULL LIST: 20 African countries to vote for 2026 Ballon d’Or

Published

on

Twenty African nations are eligible to vote for the 2026 Ballon d’Or after making the top 100 of the FIFA men’s world ranking used to determine the award’s international jury.

France Football, which organises the award, said the men’s Ballon d’Or is decided by an international jury of specialised journalists, with one representative from each of the 100 highest-ranked nations in the FIFA men’s world ranking.

The 2026 regulations state that the FIFA ranking in effect when the voting lists were published on September 8 was used to determine the jury.

Each journalist will select and rank 10 players from the 30 Ballon d’Or nominees.

The first-ranked player receives 15 points, followed by 12, 10, eight, seven, five, four, three, two and one point for the 10th choice.

The 20 African nations represented in the 100-country jury are:

  1. Morocco — 6th in FIFA ranking
  2. Senegal — 18th
  3. Egypt — 24th
  4. Nigeria — 26th
  5. Algeria — 29th
  6. Côte d’Ivoire — 31st
  7. DR Congo — 41st
  8. Cameroon — 43rd
  9. Mali — 53rd
  10. South Africa — 54th
  11. Tunisia — 57th
  12. Burkina Faso — 62nd
  13. Cabo Verde — 64th
  14. Ghana — 65th
  15. Guinea — 81st
  16. Gabon — 84th
  17. Angola — 87th
  18. Uganda — 89th
  19. Zambia — 90th
  20. Benin — 94th

The other 80 countries in the top 100 are from Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Oceania.

Prominent Journalists Heading the African Jury

France Football maintains data privacy for the complete individual roster until full voting charts are published post-ceremony. However, among the African journalists who have been publicly identified as Ballon d’Or voters are:

  • Nigeria: Samm Audu (Representing Nigeria via Score Nigeria).
  • Ghana: Michael Oti Adjei (Celebrated sports broadcaster and head of sports at Media General, executing Ghana’s ballot).
  • Egypt: Inas Mazhar (Veteran journalist, former CAF Media Officer, and longstanding vote holder for the Pharaohs).
  • South Africa: Mark Gleeson (Highly respected African football commentator, analyst, and statistician representing Bafana Bafana).
  • Morocco: Mustapha Badri (Renowned editor and director of the prominent Moroccan sports publication Al Mountakhab)
See also  Argentina face FIFA sanction over Falklands banner display during World Cup

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on October 26, when the winner of the men’s award will be announced.

The award covers performances during the 2025-26 season, including domestic and international competitions.

France Football said the reference period ran from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, including the 2026 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations for the men’s award.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Bayern president plays down Haaland move amid City uncertainty

Published

on

Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has downplayed suggestions that Erling Haaland could become an immediate target if Manchester City face relegation.

Speaking to BILD on Sunday, Hainer was asked whether Bayern Munich would sign the Norwegian striker if City were forced out of the Premier League because of their ongoing financial charges case.

“We have Kane, Olise, Diaz and more. We scored over 120 goals last season. So, I think we are very well equipped in attack,” Hainer said.

The Bayern chief insisted the club currently does not need to strengthen its forward line, which already features Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Díaz.

However, he left the door slightly open for the longer term.

“If we’re talking about the future in a few years, then there will be a new situation, and we’ll see,” Hainer added.

Severe sanctions, including the possibility of relegation, remain under discussion pending any appeal.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

See also  Michael Jordan’s ‘last dance’ jersey sells for record $12.3m – Report reveals
Continue Reading

Education

SEE FULL LIST: OAU, Ghana varsity top 2026 West African University Games medal table

Published

on

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has emerged overall champion of the 15th West African University Games, winning 122 medals, according to the official medal table shared on the Games’ social media handles on Sunday.

The host institution won 33 gold, 50 silver and 39 bronze medals to finish ahead of the University of Ghana, which secured second position with 59 medals, comprising 26 gold, 21 silver and 12 bronze.

Benson Idahosa University finished third with 21 gold, 10 silver and seven bronze medals, while the University of Ibadan placed fourth with 17 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals.

The rankings are based on the number of gold medals won, followed by silver and bronze medals where necessary.

Below is the full medal table for the 15th West African University Games, hosted by OAU in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Full WAUG 2026 medal table

2026 WAUG Medal Table

– 1. Obafemi Awolowo University: 33 gold, 50 silver, 39 bronze — 122 medals

– 2. University of Ghana: 26 gold, 21 silver, 12 bronze — 59 medals

– 3. Benson Idahosa University: 21 gold, 10 silver, seven bronze — 38 medals

– 4. University of Ibadan: 17 gold, 12 silver, 13 bronze — 42 medals

– 5. Lagos State University: 10 gold, four silver, three bronze — 17 medals

– 6. Afe Babalola University: nine gold, 14 silver, 19 bronze — 42 medals

– 7. Delta State University, Abraka: seven gold, two silver, two bronze — 11 medals

– 8. University of Ilorin: six gold, four silver, six bronze — 16 medals

See also  AFCON: All 8 countries eliminated ahead of Round of 16 fixtures

– 9. University of Cape Coast: six gold, one silver, nine bronze — 16 medals

– 10. Nile University of Nigeria: six gold, one silver, two bronze — nine medals

– 11. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology: five gold, four silver, three bronze — 12 medals

– 12. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology: three gold, five silver, six bronze — 14 medals

– 13. Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi: two gold, three silver, five bronze — 10 medals

– 14. University for Development Studies: two gold, two silver, two bronze — six medals

– 15. University of Abuja: one gold, six silver, six bronze — 13 medals

– 16. University of Energy and Natural Resources: one gold, two silver, seven bronze — 10 medals

– 17. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti: one gold, one silver, four bronze — six medals

– 18. Osun State University: no gold, six silver, 10 bronze — 16 medals

– 19. Lead City University: no gold, two silver, one bronze — three medals

– 19. University of Ilesa: no gold, one silver, six bronze — seven medals

– 20. Plateau State University: no gold, one silver, one bronze — two medals

– 21. Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho: no gold, no silver, four bronze — four medals

– 22. Federal University of Technology, Akure: no gold, no silver, three bronze — three medals

OAU describes Games as investment in youth

In a report published on October 5, 2026, on its website, OAU said the opening ceremony brought together 50 universities, with more than 1,500 athletes and officials expected to participate across 18 sports.

See also  PHOTOS: President Trump awarded inaugural Fifa peace prize at World Cup draw in Washington

Speaking at the ceremony, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, said, “For OAU, the Games are an investment in the future of our youth.”

WAUG 2026 mascot, Ori-Olokun

He said the university wanted the infrastructure and systems developed for the competition to continue benefiting its community after the Games.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony, WAUG President Ibrahim Tanko Shaibu urged athletes to give their best while respecting their opponents and officials.

“Give your best, respect your opponents and officials,” he told the athletes, according to OAU’s October 5 report.

In a separate notice published on October 11, OAU said the closing ceremony would celebrate the achievements of participating athletes and institutions, as well as the spirit of fair play, resilience and friendship during the Games.

The 15th West African University Games were scheduled to run from October 2 to 12 at OAU, Ile-Ife.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Sports

Leverkusen coach, director address Boniface walkout

Published

on

Victor Boniface’s frustration sparked a warning from Bayer Leverkusen chief Simon Rolfes after the Nigerian striker headed down the tunnel following his omission from Saturday’s dramatic 4-3 Bundesliga win over Mainz.

The Super Eagles forward was overlooked once again as coach Carles Martínez made his final substitutions in the 84th minute, introducing Equi Fernández and Jonas Hofmann for Aleix García and Patrik Schick.

With no chance to enter the game, Boniface reportedly headed to the dressing room instead of remaining with his teammates on the bench.

The incident has raised fresh questions about the striker’s situation at Leverkusen, where his playing time has been severely limited this season.

Boniface has made just one Bundesliga appearance, featuring for five minutes in the opening-day 3-2 defeat to SV Elversberg. Despite his limited involvement, he provided an assist for Christian Kofane.

He has since been overlooked against Union Berlin, Leipzig and Mainz, while missing out entirely against Augsburg.

Martínez admitted he had not noticed the walkout during the match but promised to discuss the matter with the Nigerian.

“If that’s what happened, we’ll speak to him,” the coach told Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, insisting that selection decisions were part of football.

Rolfes, meanwhile, responded with humour but made his position clear.

“Perhaps he went into the dressing room a little too early today. It won’t happen next time,” the sporting director said.

Despite the warning, Rolfes praised Boniface’s improving fitness and professionalism, describing him as a good member of the squad and training group.

See also  Tyson Fury Vows To Knock Out Anthony Joshua Within Seven Rounds

With Christian Kofane recently injured, the Nigerian could now have an opportunity to revive his Leverkusen campaign.

The Europa League trip to Lech Poznań on Thursday could provide the frustrated striker with a chance to prove his worth — if Martínez gives him the opportunity.

For Boniface, the message is clear: patience must accompany ambition as he fights to reclaim his place.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Trending