° Xabi Alonso

Former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has reached an agreement with Liverpool to become the club’s next manager.

According to Spanish outlet OK Diario, Liverpool are considering a three-year deal for the Spaniard. The proposed agreement would run for three seasons.

Alonso has long been viewed as a perfect candidate for the Liverpool job due to his strong ties with the club and his growing reputation as one of Europe’s most promising tacticians.

The Spaniard spent five seasons at Anfield between 2004 and 2009, winning the Champions League in 2005 and becoming a fan favourite during one of the most memorable periods in the club’s history.

His coaching achievements with Bayer 04 Leverkusen have further enhanced his reputation, placing him among the most sought-after young managers in European football.

Photo: Chief Festus Onigbinde

Mr Oyekunle Onigbinde, the last child of the late national coach Festus Onigbinde, has said that although his father was sick, he fought well to stay alive.

Oyekunle made the remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Tuesday.

Describing his father as a generous man who cared for everyone, Oyekunle said that his death on Monday came as a huge shock.

“He fought well to stay alive.

“He was sick, but due to old age, his body couldn’t fight the recovery.

“My father was very accommodating; he pulled everyone together.

“He didn’t care who you were; he just wanted everyone happy and united.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the African referees and video assistants selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, notably without a single Nigerian official on the list.

This absence has fueled a wider discussion about African referee representation at the global tournament. While CAF’s selection features a blend of experienced and emerging talents, the most surprising omission for many across the continent is highly-rated Somali official Omar Abdulkadir Artan, whose exclusion has largely overshadowed other selections

The chosen officials include Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, recognized for consistent performance, alongside established names like Algeria’s Mustapha Ghorbal, DR Congo’s Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo, Egypt’s Amin Omar, and Gabon’s Pierre Ghislain Atcho.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team comprises Algeria’s Lahlou Benbraham, Egypt’s Mahmoud Ashour, and Eswatini’s Letticia Viana.

CAF stated that selections were based on “rigorous assessments of consistency, experience, and performance in continental and international fixtures.”

However, the complete lack of Nigerian representation, coupled with Artan’s unexpected omission, has prompted significant scrutiny and questioning of the selection criteria and process for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

(Source: Leadership)