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What a week it has been for sports fans! The UEFA Champions League was back on the screens. It was exciting watching all of Europe’s big teams battle it out on the pitch! From stunning setbacks to intriguing comebacks, there was no shortage of drama, upsets, and thrills across the sporting world this past seven days! In this week’s First 11 – a recap of the most talked about headlines in sports – we are breaking down all the biggest moments and storylines in the world of sports!

So, grab some popcorn, let’s get started!

Ahmed Musa Returns From Hiatus

Charity, they say, begins from home! So, First 11 kickstarts from Nigeria where in a surprising move, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle invited Ahmed Musa to Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later in the month. The Kano Pillars man was part of the team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) but played no minute in the side’s silver-winning campaign.

Since then, Super Eagles managers have not invited the former Leicester City forward forward. But he has been included in the 39-man provisional list for the must-win games, sparking debates among football fans. Nigeria are fourth in the five-team lot having managed just a miserable three points from four games played in Group C of the African qualification series for the 2026 World Cup.

Super Falcons Still African Queens

Meanwhile, the Super Falcons have continued their dominance of women’s football in Africa, maintaining their top spot on the continent. In the latest FIFA rankings released Thursday, the Nigerian senior female national team was ranked 36th on the global scene.

South Africa, 18 places behind the Nigerian girls, are second in Africa, dropping four places from the last rankings. Morocco are third in the continent and 60th on the world stage.

The rankings come months before Nigeria take to the stage in a bid to wrestle the Wpmen AFCON (WAFCON) crown from South Africa.

Champions League: Liverpool Come Up Clutch

Switching gears to the Champions League now! Liverpool came up clutch on Wednesday seeing off Paris Saint-German (PSG) in a clash that headlined the first leg of the round of 16. In a match that saw PSG enjoy the lion’s share of possession but lacked ruthlessness, Liverpool were fortunate to win the tie thanks to Harvey Elliott’s strike – his first touch after his introduction late into the game. Arne Slot’s side will now hope to add to the lone goal win in the return leg next week.

Arsenal, in another game in the competition, demolished PSV 1-7 to have a leg in the quarter-final of the tournament. Real Madrid defeated rivals Atletico 2-1 while Benfica lost to Barcelona.

In the all-German tie, Bayern Munich beat Dortmund, Feyenoord lost to Inter Milan and Aston Villa bashed Club Brugge of Belgium.

Sociedad Frustrate Man United

But there were also actions in the Europa League on Thursday with Manchester United continuing their poor run of games. The English side were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad. What is behind Man United’s struggles? Can they turn their season around?

Chelsea saw off FC Copehangen in the UEFA Conference League to ease the pressure on Coach Enzo Maresca.

Joey Barton Stirrs AFCON Debate

In other football news that made headlines in the week, it appears the last has not been heard about the AFCON pedigree. This time, former Manchester City player Joey Barton doubled down on English ex-international Jamie Carragher’s claim that the tournament is not a major competition while discussing Liverpool star Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.

Carragher came under fire over the comment but in defence of the Englishman, Barton claimed no African defender can lace the former Liverpool star’s shoes.
Infantino on World Cup

Moving on to some cheering news! The World Cup now comes in a new style! That is because starting from the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey, they will be a Super Bowl-style half-time show.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said the Coldplay band members Chris Martin and Phil Harvey will determine the artists who will perform.

The decision followed a meeting of FIFA’s commercial and media partners in Dallas ahead of the 2026 tournament which will be co-hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The World Cup promises to be an exciting time!

READ ALSO: Canada, Mexico Trade War Makes 2026 World Cup ‘ Exciting’—Trump

A Billion Dollar Show

In a related event, FIFA will pay a total prize money of one billion dollars to participants in the Club World Cup in the United States later this year.
The figure is significantly higher than the prize money offered for either the last men’s or women’s World Cups.

Isak Burgled

On a sad note, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak’s home was raided by a “professional group of travelling burglars” who stole his car and jewellery worth £68, 000 ($87, 000), a court heard on Wednesday.

The Sweden international was not in his house in Northumberland, in northeast England, when the gang broke in through a glass door last April, Newcastle Crown Court was told. The thieves had already stolen jewellery and clothes worth more than £1 million from a businesswoman and designer goods worth £100, 000 from another woman in the previous days.

Osaka Crashes Out

Heading to the courts, Naomi Osaka was shattered after a heartbreaking defeat in the Indian Wells on Wednesday. She fell 6-4, 6-4 to Camila Osorio in the Japanese star’s first tournament since injury forced her out of the Australian Open.

Former world number one Osaka, now ranked 56th in the world, looked rusty against the 52nd-ranked Colombian, struggling to find the range on her powerful groundstrokes on a chilly night in the California desert.

Historic James

Still in the courts but this time in basketball, LeBron James became the first player in the NBA to score 50, 000 career points, extending his lead as the league’s record scorer by reaching a milestone tally that may never be surpassed. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar went into the game against the New Orleans Pelicans with 49, 999 regular and postseason points after a 17-point performance in Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers. But it did not take long for the 40-year-old NBA icon to get the solitary point needed to reach the 50, 000-point mark. This feat cements James ‘ status as one of the greatest to have played the game!

Maradona: Trial To Begin For Healthcare Pro

Back to football! Four years after the death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, seven healthcare professionals will go on trial next week accused of negligence during his final days.

More than 100 witnesses, including members of Maradona’s family and doctors who tended to him down the years, will take the stand throughout the four-month trial, which starts Tuesday in the Buenos Aires suburb of San Isidro.
The seven defendants risk between eight and 25 years in jail if convicted.

Fonseca Banned

Lastly, the French League’s disciplinary commission banned new Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca until November after an altercation with a referee.
To compound his plight he has also been banned from entering his own team’s changing rooms until mid-September, the commission’s president Sebastien Deneux announced.

As the world marks International Women’s Day, the spotlight shines on an extraordinary group of women, each carving her unique path and leaving a mark in her respective field. &nbsp,

In the outskirts of Jos, 26-year-old Atsuku Msenhemba Mercy tends to her poultry farm with pride. As the founder and owner of M’s Poultry Farm, she’s redefining agribusiness, creating opportunities in a sector often overlooked by youth.

In the bustling streets of Lagos, Blessing Onyedinma, 28, navigates her korokpe (minibus) with confidence. A female Danfo driver in Lagos, Blessing defies stereotypes and commands respect in a traditionally male-dominated profession. Her daily journey exemplifies strength and the pursuit of equality on the roads.

Meanwhile, in Victoria Island, the night comes alive with the beats of Ayomide Olufawo, better known as DJ Ayofawoin. Breaking into the competitive world of music, she moves crowds with energy and talent, proving that passion and rhythm can break barriers.

Omobolaji Oyeleye, as the owner of Esther Bouncers, she has redefined private security with her female-led team, challenging norms and championing safety in creative ways.

Alhaja Joke Take Logan, the revered Iya Loja of Obalende Market, is the heartbeat of her community. Her leadership ensures the vibrancy of local trade, and her advocacy supports countless market women in achieving economic independence.

The creative arts are no less inspiring. Taiwo Aina’s lens captures stories as a freelance photographer, while Sandra Patrick teaches yoga, sharing wellness and balance in every pose. Florentina Agu, the founder of Hertunba, brings elegance to life with her stunning fashion creations, and Pius Onome’s brushes work magic as a makeup artist, transforming faces into canvases of beauty.

Seiyefa Prekake, the visionary behind This is Kokore and Lead Designer for Gemona West Lifestyle Company, redefines contemporary African aesthetics with her bold designs. Dionette Ezimorah, a. k. a. Supercar Girl, speeds into the male-dominated field of automotive journalism, blending expertise with charm.

Last but not least, Ifueko Oyegun, a real estate consultant and property broker at MDS Properties Limited, helps people find their dream spaces, showcasing how women are thriving in corporate landscapes.

Nottingham Forest dealt a major blow to Manchester City’s bid to qualify for the Champions League as Callum Hudson-Odoi’s late winner sealed a 1-0 victory in the top four shoot-out on Saturday.

City have been reduced to battling for a place in next season’s Champions League after a dismal campaign.

Even that usually routine target is far from assured for Guardiola’s men following their ninth league defeat this term.

With six titles in the past seven seasons, City have rarely had to worry about their place in the Premier League’s top four in the Pep Guardiola era.

Yet they left the City Ground looking anxiously over their shoulders after a first league loss to Forest since 1997.

Fifth-placed Chelsea, just one point adrift of City, will go above the champions if they beat lowly Leicester on Sunday.

Finishing fifth could still be enough for City to reach Europe’s elite club competition depend on the results of the English clubs who remain in continental competitions this term.

For City to achieve that modest goal, they will have to significantly improve on the latest limp display in a turbulent season.

Third-placed Forest are four points clear of City thanks to only their third win in their last eight league games.

Enjoying a fairytale season just a year after battling relegation, the former European champions are closing on a berth in the Champions League for the first time since 1980-81.

After Forest’s former defender Stuart Pearce was rushed to hospital having been taken ill on a flight this week, his old club displayed a big screen message reading ‘ Get Well Soon Stuart’, after three minutes of the Premier League game, recognising Pearce’s old shirt number three.

– City Ground erupts –

Forest were able to draw on the ultra-aggressive Pearce’s trademark fire and brimstone in a stirring finale that followed a tepid first half.

Nico Gonzalez fired just wide from 25 yards as City tried in vain to seize the initiative in a nervous start from both teams.

The unseasonably sunny weather by the banks of the River Trent gave a soporific feel to what should have been a high-tempo clash with so much at stake.

City went close when Josko Gvardiol picked out Phil Foden, whose goal-bound shot was blocked by Nicolas Dominguez, before Bernardo Silva wastefully fired over with Erling Haaland unmarked and waiting for a pass that never came.

Jeremy Doku’s strike forced Forest keeper Matz Sels into action for the first time.

But a woeful effort from Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White finished closer to the corner flag than the goal, an ugly misfire in keeping with the scrappy fare.

Anthony Elanga crossed to the far post where Dominguez’s volley finally forced Ederson to make a save soon after the interval.

Guardiola sent on Omar Marmoush, Kevin De Bruyne, Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic in a bid to spark City into life.

The changes didn’t have the desired effect as Forest found late momentum.

Ederson made a fine save, turning Hudson-Odoi’s curler onto the post.

De Bruyne’s free-kick was saved by Sels, but Hudson-Odoi stole the points as the City Ground erupted in the 83rd minute.

Gibbs-White conjured an inch-perfect pass to Hudson-Odoi and the forward cut inside before drilling a superb strike past Ederson’s weak attempted save at the near post.