Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel says Cristiano Ronaldo has tainted his legacy by leaving the Portugal camp, but insists the forward should still be celebrated for what he has given football, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Ronaldo made headlines recently after leaving the national team’s camp during the last international break following a disagreement with new coach Jorge Jesus. He had accused the former Benfica coach of lying and showing him no respect after being dropped for the UEFA Nations League game against Norway last month.

The 41-year-old has since apologised, and the Portuguese Football Federation has issued a suspension.

Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel said no player should walk out on the national team, least of all a captain.

“The last thing you will do is to walk out of your national team or your football club as a captain, as someone everybody looks up to. It just takes away everything you stand for. I do not care what deal he had with the manager or not,” Mikel said.

The former Chelsea midfielder also defended Jesus and said Ronaldo should know that a manager is employed to win matches and can go back on an agreement over playing time.

Mikel still believes the five-time Ballon d’Or winner deserves respect as his career nears its end saying, “We should be celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo now towards the end of his career. He has given so much to football. Even if you are not a Cristiano Ronaldo fan, you cannot deny what he has done for the game.”

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

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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

– 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

– 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.

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.”

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

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