France and Paris Saint-Germain attacker Ousmane Dembele won the men’s FIFA Best award at a ceremony in Qatar on Tuesday, while Barcelona midfield maestro Aitana Bonmati collected the women’s prize.
Dembele, 28, won the Ballon d’Or in September, rewarding an exceptional season with PSG, which included the Ligue 1 club’s first Champions League title.
“I wanted to thank my teammates. Hard work pays off, it’s been a fantastic year for me, both individually and collectively,” said Dembele after the ceremony, which took place on the eve of the Intercontinental Cup final between PSG and Flamengo, also being held in Qatar.
Former Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona forward Dembele, who was part of the France team that won the World Cup in 2018, scored 35 goals in all competitions as PSG claimed a French league and cup double as well as European glory.
PSG’s Spanish coach Luis Enrique was named best coach of a men’s team, ahead of Barcelona’s Hansi Flick and Liverpool’s Premier League winning manager Arne Slot.
Bonmati, 27, was crowned women’s player of the year for the third time in a row, after also picking up her third consecutive Ballon d’Or in the autumn.
“I am grateful to have the honour,” she said, before thanking her team-mates and coaches, as well as the fans who voted for her.
England manager Sarina Wiegman picked up the award for coaching a women’s side after she won a third consecutive Euros title in the summer.
In the goalkeeping category, Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined Manchester City after winning the Champions League with PSG, picked up the men’s award, while Chelsea’s Euro 2025 winner Hannah Hampton won the trophy in the women’s category.
Santiago Montiel won the coveted Puskas award for best goal of the year thanks to his overhead kick from outside the penalty area for Independiente against Independiente Rivadavia in an Argentinian top flight match.
Lizbeth Ovalle’s scorpion kick for Tigres against Guadalajara in a Mexican league match won the Marta award.
The winners were chosen by a combined vote of fans, media representatives, captains and national team coaches for their performances between August 11, 2024 and August 2, 2025.
After days of intensive training session in Benzilima, German coach Gernot Rohr is confident that his Cheetahs of Benin would be at the ready for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opener against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Beninese side who drawn in what on paper looks like a tricky Group D along with Senegal and Botswana, will open their account against the DRC on December 23, two days after the kick-off of the 35th edition of the continental showpiece, at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat.
But days after setting up their pre-AFCON training camp in the peaceful Moroccan city of
Benzilima otherwise known as the “Green Province”, Rohr remains upbeat ahead of Benin’s fourth AFCON campaign
“ We are already here in Morocco and precisely in Benzilima which is a cool place for our training,” Rohr, the former Nigeria’s trainer who led the Super Eagles to a bronze medal finish at Egypt 2019, told NationSport. “ It has good condition and good for our preparation for the AFCON.”
The Cheetah’s other schedule will see them clash against Botswana at the Rabat Olympic Stadium on December 27th and Senegal at the Tangier Grand Stadium on December 30th.
In a related development, Benin’s assistant coach and head scout Tunde Adelakun, has enthused that the Cheetah’s would give a good account of themselves at Morocco 2025, adding they are ready to pick up their gauntlets after missing out of qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup in the North America.
“I want my team to play good football, and let the clubs know that it was worth it to release [the players] at a very difficult time of the season,” Adelakun told BBC Sport Africa. “I’d love to win the tournament. The journey will be tough [but] what I’ve got at the moment is seven AFCON finals (matches) to navigate.”
He added: “Losing out [on] qualification for the World Cup was a bitter pill we found really hard to swallow. “We’ve put it behind us, there’s no regrets [and] we’re proud of what we did. It’s time to get onto the African stage and prove to the world what we are made of.”
Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Eno, MTN, BET9JA,GTI, NDDC in the mix
The Super Eagles trio of Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray , Ademola Lookman of Atalanta and Calvin Bassey of Fulham lead nominations for the 12th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.
The organizers of the awards announced this at a media gathering at the Johnwood Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday, 16 December.
Speaking at the event organized to celebrate partners, members of the College of Voters, and journalists, Dr. Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, reaffirmed organizers’ confidence in the voting process coordinated by SIAO Partners, the accounting firm that has been at the helm of the collation and auditing of the results since 2014.
“ We would like to thank SIAO Partners and express our confidence in the results that will be presented at this gathering. We have worked with SIAO Partners for over 11 years, and during this period, they have consistently demonstrated professionalism and commitment to this national project, ” Dr Philips said.
Also speaking at the event, Afolabi Lawal, Senior Manager at SIAO Partners, stated that the accounting firm adhered to all due process while collating and auditing the results.
While announcing the names of nominees, Dr. Ademola Olajire, the NFF Director of Communication, stated that the Federation continues to support the Nigeria Pitch Awards because the award process is credible and transparent.
In the King of the Pitch category, Lookman, the 2024-winner of the award, will face competition from Bassey and Osimhen.
The Queen of the Pitch Award will be a stiff battle between Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton & Hove Albion Women FC, Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto, and Rasheedat Ajibade of PSG Feminine.
Super Eagles new defensive sensation, Benjamin Frederick (Dender E.H.), will hope to starve up competition from Bassey and Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest) for the Defender of the Year award.
The Midfielder of the Year category will be a fierce competition between Alex Iwobi (Fulham ), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)and Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş).
In their second nominations, Lookman and Osimhen will face competition from Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United) for the Rashidi Yekini Award for the Best Striker of the Year.
The award for the Football Friendly Governor of the Year will be a straight contest between Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
Dr. Philips also announced that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will be honoured with the Special Achievement in Sports Award at the 12th Award Ceremony. This is in recognition of the Commission’s invaluable contributions to the growth of sports through its organization of the Niger Delta Games.
ALL THE NOMINEES:
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Kayode Bankole Remo Stars & TS Galaxy F.C.
Maduka Okoye Udinese Calcio
Stanley Nwabali Chippa United F.C.
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Benjamin Frederick F.C.V. Dender E.H.
Calvin Bassey Fulham F.C.
Ola Aina Nottingham Forest F.C.
MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR
Alex Iwobi Fulham F.C.
Frank Onyeka Brentford F.C.
Raphael Onyedika Club Brugge
Wilfred Ndidi Beşiktaş J.K.
RASHIDI YEKINI AWARD FOR THE BEST STRIKER OF THE YEAR
Ademola Lookman Atalanta BC
Anas Yusuf Nasarawa United
Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Remo Stars F.C
Rivers United F.C
Super Falcons
COACH OF THE YEAR
Daniel Ogunmodede Remo Stars F.C
Finidi George Rivers United F.C
Justine Madugu Super Falcons
SAM OKWARAJI AWARD
Kunle Soname Bet9ja
Patrick Olusegun Odegbami Nigerian Ex-International
Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K
STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Delta State
Kwara State
Lagos State
FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE YEAR
Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium , Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
The Super Eagles last night suffered a 2-1 loss to Egypt in their pre-Africa cup of Nations (AFCON) warm-up match at the Cairo International Stadium .
Both teams used the friendly encounter top ascertain the readiness of their squad for the forthcoming 2025 AFCON which opens in Morocco on December 21 and they both game a good account of themselves with te Pharaohs running away with a hard- earned victory in front of their home fans.
While Pharaoh’s Coach Hossam Hassan rested Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Man City Omar Marmoush, coach Eric Sekou Chelle handed out first international start to Pisa midfielder Akinsanmiro.
But it was the home side that raced in front in the 28th minute through Midfielder Mahmoud Saber who met Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed’s cross with a right-footed shot into the empty net.
The Super Eagles fought back and were rewarded with the equalizer in the added time of the first half as defender Chidozie Awaziem headed home from very close range following a free kick.
At the restart, Chelle drafted some fresh legs as goalkeeper Amas Obasogie replaced Stanley Nwabali; Bruno Onyemaechi replaced Zaidu Sanusi; Semi Ajayi came in for Chidozie Awaziem; Cyriel Dessers replaced Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Ademola Lookman came in for Raphael Onyedika.
Nevertheless, It was the Egyptians that netted the winning goal through Mohammed in the 52nd minute and they held out despite the Super Eagles; brave fight in a match another newly invited, Salim Fago Lawal made his debut as replacement for defender Igoh Ogbu in the 85th minute.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles’ top striker Victor Osimhen as well as Moses Simon are expected to fly straight to Morocco to link up with the team after missing out of the friendly match against Egypt yesterday.
New invitee Usman Mohammed and Fulham striker Samuel Chukwueze teamed up with the rest of the squad yesterday bring together 26 players in Cairo.
The Super Eagles, who are drawn in Group C along with Tanzania, Uganda and Tunisia, will fly out tomorrow from Cairo in a chattered flight to their AFCON base in Fes.
Frank Onyeka; Calvin Bassey; Alex Iwobi; Wilfred Ndidi; Bruno Onyemaechi; Cyril Dessers; Akor Adams; Chidera Ejuke; Raphael Onyedika; Ryan Alebiosu Salim Fago; Chidozie Awaziem, Usman Mohammed and Samuel Chukwueze.
World Cup organisers on Tuesday announced a cheaper category of tickets after sustained criticism of the prices at the 2026 competition in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA, the governing body of world football, said in a statement that it had created “Supporter Entry Tier tickets set at 60 US dollars each and available for all 104 matches, including the final”.
It said the plan was “designed to further support travelling fans following their national teams across the tournament”.
FIFA said that the $60 (51 euros) tickets would be reserved for fans of qualified teams and would make up 10 percent of each national federation’s allotment.
Fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE), which last week called prices “extortionate” and “astronomical”, responded by saying the FIFA was offering too little.
“While we welcome FIFA’s seeming recognition of the damage its original plans were to cause, the revisions do not go far enough,” FSE said Tuesday in a statement.
Last week, FSE said ticket prices were almost five times higher than in 2022 in Qatar.
“If a supporter were to follow their team from the first match to the final it would cost them a minimum of $6,900,” it said at the time, adding that World Cup organisers had promised tickets priced from $21 in a bid document released in 2018.
On Tuesday, FSE said FIFA was reacting to complaints.
“For the moment we are looking at the FIFA announcement as nothing more than an appeasement tactic due to the global negative backlash,” FSE said.
“This shows that FIFA’s ticketing policy is not set in stone, was decided in a rush, and without proper consultation – including with FIFA’s own member associations.
“Based on the allocations publicly available, this would mean that at best a few hundred fans per match and team would be lucky enough to take advantage of the 60 US dollar prices, while the vast majority would still have to pay extortionate prices, way higher than at any tournament before.”
The organisation also criticised the failure to make provisions for supporters with disabilities or their companions.
Announcing the $60 tickets on Tuesday, FIFA said that national federations “are requested to ensure that these tickets are specifically allocated to loyal fans who are closely connected to their national teams”.
FIFA also said that if fans bought tickets for games in the knock-out rounds only to find their team eliminated at earlier stage, they “will have the administrative fee waived when refunds are processed.”
It added that it was making the announcement “amid extraordinary global demand for tickets” with 20 million requests already submitted.
The draw for tickets of all prices in this first round of sales will take place on Tuesday, January 13.
Paris St-Germain have been ordered to pay former striker Kylian Mbappe 60m euros (£52.5m) in unpaid salary and bonuses by a French court.
Mbappe had been seeking 263m euros (£231.5m) from his former club after the long-running dispute reached a Paris labour court in November.
The European champions were counter-suing the France captain for 240m euros (£211m).
The 26-year-old Real Madrid forward claimed the nine-figure sum as damages in response to a contract dispute and ill-treatment by the club.
However, he was awarded just over a fifth of that amount in court on Tuesday.
The court recognised that PSG had failed to pay three months of his salary between April and June 2024 as well as an ethics bonus and a signing bonus under his contract.
It is believed that the majority of the money awarded to Mbappe was bonuses, rather than his salary.
In May, a 55m euro sum in the club’s accounts was frozen following a request by Mbappe’s legal team.
“We are satisfied with this ruling. This is what you could expect when salaries went unpaid,” Mbappe’s lawyer Frederique Cassereau said.
In a statement, Mbappe’s legal team added: “This judgement confirms that commitments entered into must be honoured. It restores a simple truth: even in the professional football industry, labour law applies to everyone.
“Mr Mbappe, for his part, scrupulously respected his sporting and contractual obligations for seven years, right up to the final day.”
While accepting the court’s ruling, PSG haven’t ruled out appealing against the decision.
The club had been seeking compensation for Mbappe’s failed 300m euro transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in 2023.
He joined Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer the following summer.
The club’s statement read: “Paris St-Germain takes note of the judgement pronounced by the Paris Labour Court, which it will execute, while reserving the right to appeal.
“Paris St-Germain has always acted in good faith and with integrity, and will continue to do so. The club is now looking to the future, based on unity and collective success, and wishes the player the best for the rest of his career.”
Mbappe’s decision not to move to the Saudi Pro League, coupled with his refusal to sign a contract extension, sparked a dispute lasting more than two years, with the forward believing he was sidelined by the French champions.
He was not invited to take part in the club’s pre-season tour of Asia and missed their first match of the 2023-24 campaign.
He was later reinstated to the side – a decision PSG said followed Mbappe’s agreement to forgo some of his end-of-contract payments to protect the club’s financial health.
However, Mbappe’s representatives dismissed the claim as “fantasy” at November’s hearing.
PSG also accused the player of acting “disloyally by concealing for nearly 11 months, between July 2022 and June 2023, his decision not to extend his contract” and said the club had suffered “significant damages” as a result of his actions.
Mbappe was at PSG from 2017 to 2024, initially on loan from Monaco and later on a permanent transfer, and won 15 trophies in the French capital.
He is PSG’s all-time leading scorer, with 256 goals in 308 games, including 44 goals in 48 matches in his final season.
Two-weight world champion and WBC number one heavyweight contender, Lawrence Okolie (22-1, 16 KOs), will make his historic professional debut on African soil as he headlines ‘Chaos in the Ring II’ against Ghanaian powerhouse Ebenezer Tetteh (23-3, 20 KOs).
The blockbuster event is set for Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the Detty December Festival Grounds in Lagos.
Promoted by former world champion Amir Khan and Dr. Ezekiel Adamu (CEO of Balmoral Group) in partnership with Queensberry Promotions, the night forms a centrepiece of the “Detty December” cultural festival.
For the 33-year-old Okolie, who was born in London to Nigerian parents, the fight represents more than just a ranking defence.
Having already captured world titles at cruiserweight and bridgerweight, he is now focused on becoming a three-weight world champion in 2026.
“Fighting in Lagos means everything to me. This is where my family is from. This is the dream,” Okolie said. “On 21 December, under the Detty December lights, I’m putting on a show you won’t forget.”
His opponent, Ebenezer Tetteh, is a durable veteran known for his knockout power, having recently gone seven gritty rounds with British star Dillian Whyte.
In the co-main event, 2016 Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka (14-3, 11 KOs) brings his elite pedigree to Nigeria.
The French heavyweight aims to climb back into world title contention against German veteran Patrick “Big Patrick” Korte (23-5-1, 19 KOs) in a ten-round showdown.
Promoter Amir Khan expressed the magnitude of the card: “I’ve fought all over the world, but this Lagos card is special. Okolie headlining Africa for the first time, Tony Yoka bringing heavyweight fire… we’re giving fans a night they’ll never forget.”
The event features a blend of international prospects and fierce local rivalries:
Harley Benn, son of boxing legend Nigel Benn, faces Ghanaian warrior Elvis Ahorgah.
Unbeaten Prospects: Shiloh Defreitas (6-0) puts his record on the line against the rugged Taye Fajimi (10-0).
Local Rivalries: Two all-Nigerian six-round clashes see Basit Adebayo face Sikiru Shogbesan, and Isaac Chukwudi battle the heavy-handed Raheem Animashaun.
Female Talent: Emerging stars Nene Joy Ojo and Sandra Darkwah Boateng will also feature in a four-round contest.
‘Chaos in the Ring II’ will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN, marking a landmark moment for African boxing as it joins a star-studded December calendar featuring global icons like Gunna and Busta Rhymes.
The Super Eagles camp in Cairo has grown to 22 players with the arrival of Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu, ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) international friendly match against Egypt.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman and defenders Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel reported to camp earlier on Monday at the Renaissance Hotel, joining a steadily increasing squad.
Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Igoh Ogbu and midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi were also among the latest arrivals to bolster the team.
They linked up with early arrivals Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who had checked in on Sunday.
Super Eagles Media Officer Promise Efoghe told NAN that 20 players participated in the team’s first training session held on Monday evening.
“Training went smoothly and the players showed good energy and commitment, which is encouraging at this stage of preparations,” Efoghe said.
Efoghe said that Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika and Alebiosu arrived shortly after training, raising the number of players in camp to 22, with six more expected.
He said as part of preparations, the Super Eagles would play a friendly against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium.
“The friendly will help the technical crew assess team shape and readiness ahead of the AFCON challenge,” Efoghe said.
Nigeria, three-time champions, and seven-time winners Egypt will clash at 8 p.m. Egypt time (7 p.m. Nigeria time) in the build-up to the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
Efoghe confirmed that the team will depart Cairo for Féz on Thursday aboard a chartered flight to continue final preparations.
Nigeria’s quest for a fourth continental title, following victories in 1980, 1994 and 2013, begins on Dec. 23 against Tanzania, under the theme “NAIJA 4 THE WIN.”
The Eagles will also face Tunisia on Dec. 27 and Uganda on Dec. 30 in Group C, with all matches scheduled for the Complexe Sportif de Féz.
Egypt, the only nation to win AFCON three consecutive times, will battle South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe in Group B, with matches holding in Agadir.
Ndidi, Adams, Alebiosu, four others swell camp to 22
Team off to Fés on Thursday
The Super Eagles have commenced their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo, holding their first training session yesterday evening at the Cairo International Stadium.
Paul Onuachu’s arrival yesterday increased the number of players in camp to 15, as head coach Eric Chelle and his technical crew begin fine-tuning the squad ahead of a pre-tournament friendly against Egypt tonight.
Several key players, including Stanley Nwabali, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Francis Uzoho, took part in the session, while Wilfred Ndidi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Cyril Dessers, Akor Adams , Chidera Ejuke, Raphael Onyedika and Ryan Alebiosu later arrived the team’s Renaissance Hotels ‘ camp.
In a related development, the Super Eagles will depart Cairo for the Moroccan city of Fés aboard a chartered flight on Thursday.
Nigeria’s campaign for a fourth continental crown (following triumphs in 1980, 1994 and 2013), is already themed NAIJA 4 THE WIN, and rolls off the ground on Tuesday, 23rd December with a clash against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars, in a repeat of the opening match of the 1980 finals that Nigeria hosted and won.
The Eagles will then clash with 2004 hosts and winners Tunisia on Saturday, 27th December, before their final Group C encounter against Uganda’s Cranes on Tuesday, 30th December. All of Nigeria’s group phase matches hold at the Complexe Sportif de Fés.
The Pharaohs, who are the only country to have achieved three consecutive triumphs (2006-2010), have to negotiate things with 1996 hosts and winners South Africa, as well as Angola and Zimbabwe in Group B. Their matches will take place at the Stade d’Agadir in the city of Agadir.
SUPER EAGLES IN CAIRO
Francis Uzoho ; Stanley Nwabali; Calvin Bassey; Fisayo Dele-Bashiru; Ebenezer Akinsanmiro; Amas Obasogie; Semi Ajayi; Ademola Lookman; Bright Osayi-Samuel; Igho Ogbu ; Tochukwu Nnadi; Zaidu Sanusi; Paul Onuachu; Frank Oyekan; Alex Iwobi , Wilfred Ndidi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Cyril Dessers, Akor Adams , Chidera Ejuke; Raphael Onyedika and Ryan Alebiosu.
Three-time winners Nigeria and seven-time champions Egypt will be at each other’s jugular at the Cairo Stadium tonight, in a friendly match meant to prepare both teams for their campaigns at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals kicking off in Morocco on Sunday.
Both teams will have the opportunity to test a clutch of newbies, with Nigeria manager Eric Sékou Chelle able to field the likes of goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Usman Muhammed, Tochukwu Nnadi and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, and forwards Paul Onuachu and Salim Fago Lawal, if he so desires.
Pharaohs’ Coach Hossam Hassan, himself an AFCON legend, scored seven goals as Egypt won the 1998 edition of the championship in Burkina Faso, finishing as joint top scorer with South Africa’s Benni McCarthy, whose team ended up with the silver medals.
Hassan will most probably weave his game plan for the friendly match and the AFCON tournament itself around Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah, who, despite a hefty trophy shelf, is looking for his first AFCON title. There will also be Manchester City of England’s Omar Marmoush, Al Ahly’s Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Emam Ashour and Mahmoud Trezeguet.
There are also CAF Champions League holders Pyramids’ Mohamed Hamdy and Mostafa Fathi, and UAE-based Ibrahim Adel, as well as Mostafa Mohamed of FC Nantes in France.
Chelle is most likely to set his store by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi Calvin Bassey and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
The match will kick off at 8pm Egypt time (7pm Nigeria time).
