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AFCON Qualifiers: Osimhen’s Hattrick Helps Super Eagles Sink Sao Tome 6-0

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The Nest of Champions, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state, on Sunday, once more proved a fertile hunting ground for Nigeria’s Super Eagles as they thrashed the Patriots of Sao Tome and Principe, 6-0, to wrap up the 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

The comprehensive routing was marked by a hat-trick from Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen and a goal each from Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi, and substitute, Samuel Chukwueze.

The victory ensured the team finished top of Group A ahead of Guinea Bissau.

With the team already qualified for the AFCON next year in Ivory Coast, they needed just a point to clinch the group top spot.

However, the Super Eagles went a step further by picking the maximum three points and scoring a combined 16 goals in two legs against their opponents in the process.

It didn’t take too long before the goals started rolling in.

On 13 minutes, Osimhen got his first, rising highest to head home a corner from Lookman.

Lookman made it 2-0 In the 27th minute. After receiving a pass from Wilfred Ndidi, he cut inside from the left and drilled a low shot past the São Tomé keeper.

The second half produced four more goals for Jose Peseiro’s side with Nottingham Forest striker, Awoniyi making it 3-0 in the 51st minute with a brilliant strike after he received a floated pass from Kelechi Iheanacho.

Osimhen got his second goal from the penalty spot on 69 minutes to put the Eagles 4-0 ahead after being fouled inside the box by the São Tomé keeper.

Ten minutes later, he completed his hat-trick to make it 5-0.

There was still enough time for A.C. Milan winger, Chukwueze to also get on the score sheet.

The Eagles ended the qualifying campaign with 15 points, scoring 22 goals, and conceding 4.

Osimhen also finished as the top scorer with 10 goals, 5 more than Senegal’s Sadio Mane in second.

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Tragedy Hits Spanish Football As Tenerife Striker Jesus De Miguel Dies At 30

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Spanish football has been thrown into mourning following the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died at the age of 30 after suffering serious injuries in a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a second-division match.

Tenerife confirmed the player’s death on Tuesday, November 3, revealing that he died at 8:00 a.m. following complications from injuries sustained during the encounter.

The incident occurred towards the closing stages of the match, which was tied at 2-2, when Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international, rushed out of his goal and collided with De Miguel in the middle of the pitch.

SEE ALSO: Spain’s World Cup Joy Turns to Horror as 13-Year-Old Dies in Celebration Disaster

The goalkeeper was sent off following the incident, while the match was subsequently abandoned.

Spanish media reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest after the collision and was resuscitated. However, Tenerife later announced that his neurological condition had deteriorated before he eventually died.

In a statement announcing the tragedy, the club expressed profound sadness over the loss of the striker and extended its condolences to his family, friends and supporters.

“Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe this is real, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death, at 8:00 am (7am GMT), of Jesus de Miguel Alameda,” the club said.

De Miguel joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025 from Castellon and had spent just over a season with the Spanish side.

Tributes have continued to pour in from across Spanish football, including former Barcelona defender and FC Andorra majority shareholder Gerard Pique.

“I am so deeply sorry. Rest in peace, Jesus,” Pique wrote on social media.

FC Andorra also expressed its condolences to De Miguel’s family, teammates and Tenerife, while Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and several other Spanish clubs sent messages of sympathy.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation equally expressed its grief, describing the news as deeply saddening and extending its condolences following the striker’s death.

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Sanwo-Olu Pledges Full Support as Lagos Prepares to Host 2026 CAF Awards

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged the state government’s full support for the successful hosting of the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.

Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Sunday after meeting with a CAF delegation led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly.

The governor said his administration would pay particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access to ensure a memorable experience for participants and visitors.

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In a statement shared on his social media account, Sanwo-Olu said, “Meeting with the CAF delegation, led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly, I assured them of our full support, with particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access.”

He described Lagos as a city with the energy and capacity to host major international events.

“Lagos is a city of talent, culture, enterprise and youthful energy,” the governor said.

He added, “We look forward to welcoming football leaders, stakeholders and visitors from across Africa and beyond, while showcasing our hospitality and ability to host major international events.”

The meeting comes as preparations continue for the continental football awards, which will bring together prominent figures in African football to celebrate outstanding performances and achievements.

The latest engagement follows the arrival of a 15-member CAF delegation in Nigeria on Friday, October 16, for a final inspection of facilities ahead of the awards and the organisation’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly.

The delegation, led by Emeruwa, was expected to assess facilities in Lagos and Abuja as part of efforts to evaluate the country’s readiness to host the two events.

The inspection also followed an earlier visit by CAF officials in August, when Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in Lagos’s readiness to host the awards after a delegation inspected the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, in Iganmu.

The 2026 CAF Awards are scheduled to hold in Lagos on December 7, while Abuja is expected to host the CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21.

The awards ceremony will recognise outstanding performances and achievements in African football, bringing together players, coaches, officials and other stakeholders from across the continent.

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Iheanacho Flaunts Turkish Nickname

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After scoring twice and providing an assist as Bursaspor beat Muglaspor 3-0 in the Turkish 1. Lig on Thursday, Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho took to social media to declare himself boss.

The Super Eagles forward who moved to the Turkish league from Celtic to Bursaspor has made history, becoming the first football player to score in 10 consecutive league matches for the club and in the Turkish professional league football.

He took to his social media handles to flaunt his Turkish nickname – “Agabey”.

In a post on his verified handle on X, the Nigerian forward shared a picture of himself in traditional Turkish dress with a new nickname, “Agabey”. The caption read, “We go ball till eternity, Kelechi Agabey.”

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The word is a respectful Turkish title that translates as “Big Brother” or “Boss”.

The 30-year-old has now scored in all 10 games he has played for Bursaspor, and including his appearance for the Super Eagles, he has found the net in 11 straight matches. He has 14 goals and three assists since joining from Celtic.

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