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Oshoala Shortlisted for 2023 Ballon d’Or: An Impressive Achievement

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By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

In a remarkable feat, Asisat Oshoala, the talented forward from both the Nigerian Super Falcons and Barcelona, has been selected as a nominee for the prestigious 2023 Ballon d’Or accolade.

This esteemed recognition was officially announced by France Football, the esteemed award’s organizer, via their verified Twitter account.

An Exemplary Nomination

Asisat Oshoala finds herself competing against four other outstanding players in the Socrates Award category of the illustrious Ballon d’Or.

Among the contenders are Vinicius (Brazil/Real Madrid), Antonio Rudiger (Germany/Real Madrid), Marcus Rashford (England/Manchester United), and Alex Morgan (USA/San Diego Wave).

Such esteemed company highlights the exceptional talent Oshoala possesses and the recognition she has garnered on the global stage.

One crucial factor contributing to Asisat Oshoala’s nomination is her commendable work through the Asisat Oshoala Foundation. This foundation aims to empower young women through a combination of sports and education.

Oshoala’s commitment to uplifting and inspiring the next generation of female athletes and scholars serves as a testament to her dedication and passion beyond the football pitch.

Asisat Oshoala’s inclusion as a nominee for the 2023 Ballon d’Or exemplifies her remarkable achievements and contributions to the world of football. Her talent, coupled with her impactful philanthropic efforts, makes her an inspiration to aspiring athletes and young women across the globe.

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Nigerian Boxer ‘Success’ Olanrewaju Dies After Ring Collapse

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A Nigerian boxer, Segun “Success” Olanrewaju, has died after slumping during a boxing match in Ghana.

The Secretary-General of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Remi Aboderin confirmed the death of the boxer on Sunday.

The 40-year-old boxer, nicknamed “Success”, stumbled to the canvas while fighting Jon Mbanugu, a Ghanian, at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra, on Saturday.

Olanrewaju was not punched or near his opponent when he collapsed violently in round three of the light-heavyweight bout.

The referee called the match immediately, and medical aid was ushered into the ring.

Olarenwaju died after he was rushed to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Ther boxer was a former West African and national light-heavyweight champion.

He competed in 24 bouts with 13 wins, eight losses, and three draws.

In 2022, Chukwuemeka Igboanugo, another boxer, also died after suffering a technical knockout (TKO) in a bout at the National Sports Festival (NSF) in Delta.

Igboanugo died after he took a fatal blow to the nose and did not survive the hit.

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Mateta Set to Make FA Cup Return for Palace Following Severe Injury

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Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta is poised to return to action in the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham this Saturday, having recovered from a serious ear injury sustained in the previous round.

The 27-year-old French striker has been sidelined since his last match, during which he required 25 stitches to his left ear after a collision with Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the FA Cup fifth round on March 1. The incident, in which Roberts struck Mateta as he charged out for the ball, resulted in the goalkeeper receiving a six-game suspension.

During this hiatus, which included a two-week international break, Mateta has been working on his fitness. Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed on Friday that Mateta, who has netted 15 goals across all competitions this season, is now ready to return to the pitch at Craven Cottage.

“He has been training with us for two weeks now,” said Glasner, emphasizing that Mateta has been practicing with protective gear. “We had an internal match during the international break where he played for 60 minutes without any issues. He’s prepared for the game.”

Mateta will don a protective mask for the match against Fulham. Glasner humorously suggested, “I told him he might as well try water polo given his height. It may look a bit unusual, but he feels comfortable in it. If he scores a header tomorrow, then we’ll know it was the right decision regarding his protection.”

The incident has drawn strong reactions, with Palace chairman Steve Parish labeling it the “most reckless challenge” he has ever witnessed. However, Mateta took a more forgiving stance, describing the play as a result of “too much emotion” during the game. He shared, “Liam reached out to me while I was in the hospital, and I reassured him that it was alright; it’s part of football. He was concerned and apologized.”

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— AFP

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2026 World Cup: Lessons from Super Eagles’ two matches under Chelle

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