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Okocha tops list of most dribbles in W’Cup game

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Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, tops the list of most dribbles in a single FIFA World Cup game since 1966, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

According to a survey by Opta, the former Paris Saint Germaine midfielder made a total of 15 successful dribbles against Italy at the 1994 World Cup in the USA totaling 83 per cent.

Brazil’s Jairzinho and England’s Paul Gascoigne are tied in second place on the list with 13 dribbles respectively.

Jairzinho recorded his feat against Uruguay at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico while Gazza was outstanding with his skills against Cameroon at the World Cup hosted by Italy in 1990.

Italy’s Sandro Mazzola is fourth on the list. The legendary former Inter striker made 12 successful dribbles against Poland at the 1974 edition of the tournament in Germany averaging 75 per cent.

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During his playing career, Mazzola won four Serie A titles in 1963, 1965, 1966 and 1971, two European Cups in 1964 and 1965 and two Intercontinental Cups in 1964 and 1965.

German winger, Reinhard Libuda, is ranked fifth on the list after recording 12 successful take-on during Germany’s clash with Bulgaria at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

The trio Johan Cruyff, the late Diego Maradona and Eusebio also recorded 12 dribbles in a World Cup game.

Cruyff had 12 successful dribbles against Sweden at the 1974 edition of the tournament in Germany while Maradona recorded the same number of dribbles against England at the 1986 edition just as Eusebio did against Hungary at the 1966 edition.

The quartet Jean Tigana, Maradona, Jose Valencia, Lionel Messi also made 11 successful dribbles in a World Cup game according to Opta.

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Tigana at the 1982 World against Austria recorded 11 dribbles while at the same tournament, Maradona also totaled 11 take-ons in their clash with Austria.

Jose Valencia also had 11 dribbles vs Hungary at the 1978 edition just as Lionel Messi against Mexico at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Meanwhile, Eden Hazard had 10 successful dribbles in two games at the 2018 World Cup against Brazil and France.

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BREAKING: Manchester United Sack Michael Carrick As Manager

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Manchester United have reportedly sacked Michael Carrick following an internal review conducted by the club over the past 48 hours.
Carrick was informed of the decision on Thursday, November 12, 2026, bringing his spell in charge of the Premier League giants to an end.
The decision reportedly followed a series of internal discussions and an assessment of the club’s current situation, with the management deciding to part ways with the former Manchester United midfielder.
Carrick’s departure marks another managerial change at Old Trafford as the club looks to chart a new course and revive its fortunes.
The club is yet to officially announce his departure.

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Toxic Politics: NFF Officials Block Peter Obi From Greeting Flamingos

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Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting members of the country’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, at an airport.

Obi claimed that the officials were afraid of losing their jobs if they allowed him to approach and welcome the players.

The former Anambra State governor made the allegation in a post on his X handle on Monday, expressing concern over what he described as the growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria.

According to him, he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he sighted the Flamingos, who had just returned to the country and were preparing to leave the airport.

Obi said he subsequently asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could approach the players and congratulate them.

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However, he alleged that the NFF officials turned down the request, insisting that he should not be allowed to interact with the team.

“I was informed that officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had refused and had requested that I not approach them because, if I did, they would all lose their jobs,” Obi wrote.

He further claimed that the incident was not the first time he had been prevented from interacting with members of a Nigerian national team.

Recalling an incident on March 25, 2025, Obi said that when he travelled to Uyo for a World Cup qualifying match, the state governor warmly received him at the VIP stand.

He alleged that after the match, when other government officials went to greet the players, he was prevented from doing the same, with officials reportedly citing fears of losing their jobs.

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Obi expressed concern that what he described as the culture of toxic politics had continued to worsen since 2025, adding that the situation appeared to deteriorate with each passing year.

He maintained that political differences should not be allowed to undermine national unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation.

“It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences,” he added.

The Flamingos arrived in Abuja on Monday following their 2-1 victory over Japan in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.

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Brazilian Referee Issues 51 Red Cards After 40-Minute Football Brawl

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A football referee in Brazil has reportedly issued 51 red cards following a mass brawl involving players and officials during a youth football match between Uberlandia and Mamore.
The incident occurred during a Minas Gerais Under-20 Second Division encounter on Sunday, with the confrontation reportedly lasting about 40 minutes before military police intervened.
According to Brazilian newspaper O Tempo, the violence erupted in the 54th minute after Mamore player Davi allegedly taunted the opposing team’s bench while celebrating his side’s third goal.
The situation reportedly escalated when Uberlandia’s goalkeeping coach, Paulo Sérgio Dias Dos Santos, ran onto the pitch to confront the player.
A video of the incident, which went viral on Thursday, showed the scale of the chaotic confrontation.
Chairs and stretchers were allegedly used as weapons during the melee, while the referee’s report claimed that ball boys representing Uberlandia also joined the violence, throwing punches and kicks.
The match official, Drosghic Modesto, further alleged that he received death threats and other threats of violence from different individuals following the incident. He subsequently filed a police report over the threats.
The match was suspended for 40 minutes before it was eventually abandoned.
The referee reportedly issued 51 red cards, comprising 43 players and eight members of the two teams’ technical crews.
According to Guinness World Records, the previous record for the highest number of red cards in a single football match was 36, recorded during an Argentine Primera D fixture in 2011.
The latest incident has drawn attention to the disturbing level of violence that can erupt during football matches.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Hangs Up Boots, Retires From International Football At 41

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Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 41, bringing an end to his 23-year career with the national team.
Ronaldo announced his decision on Thursday in a video shared on his official Instagram account, expressing gratitude to the Portuguese people for their support throughout his international career.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made 234 appearances for Portugal, scoring 146 goals to become the country’s all-time leading scorer and the highest goalscorer in men’s international football.
In his retirement message, Ronaldo said it was time to hand over the iconic number seven jersey to the next generation of Portuguese players.

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Super Falcons Receive $100,000 Each as Tinubu Fulfils Reward Pledge

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons players have received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each, while members of the technical crew and officials received $50,000 each, following the fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s financial pledge to the team for winning the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The National Sports Commission (NSC) announced the payment in a statement on Monday, describing it as the completion of the financial component of the presidential reward package for the team’s record-extending 10th continental title.

The players had earlier received title documents for their three-bedroom apartments in Abuja, alongside certificates of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, commended President Tinubu for fulfilling his promise, describing the gesture as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to recognising sporting excellence.

“The Super Falcons made Nigeria proud, and Mr President has honoured his commitment to them in full. This means a great deal to the team and to Nigerian sports,” Dikko said.

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He expressed appreciation to the President for ensuring that the promised rewards were delivered within a short period.

The commission attributed the successful payment to collaboration between the NSC and the Ministries of Finance, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and Housing and Urban Development.

Dikko noted that the fulfilment of the promise represented a departure from previous experiences in which Nigerian athletes had to wait several years before receiving rewards announced by the government.

He urged Nigerian athletes to draw encouragement from the development, assuring them that their sacrifices and achievements would be recognised.

The Super Falcons clinched their 10th WAFCON title in July 2025 after staging a remarkable comeback from two goals down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final in Rabat.

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Tinubu announced the reward package during a presidential reception for the team on July 28, 2025, promising each player the naira equivalent of $100,000 and members of the technical crew $50,000 each.

He also promised the team three-bedroom apartments and national honours.

The development follows a similar reward arrangement for Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, whose players received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each in September 2026 after winning their fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket title in 2025.

Members of the basketball team’s technical crew and officials also received $50,000 each, alongside housing documents and OON certificates.

In December 2025, the Federal Government also presented housing title documents and national honours to members of the Super Eagles following their silver-medal finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

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