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Rwandan newspaper maps out 5 battle zones in Rwanda vs Nigeria World Cup qualifier

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Nigeria’s captain, William Troost-Ekong in a battle with Rwanda striker Innocent Nshuti

As the build-up to the Group C World Cup qualifiers of Rwanda and Nigeria continues, Rwanda’s lead newspaper, The New Times has established key battle fronts to be expected on Friday at theAmahoro Stadium.

Keenness is the key word as Rwanda aims to consolidate the Group C leadership while the underperforming Super Eagles aim to get their hopes back on track.

New Times has established five key battles to look out for in the match.

Claude Niyomugabo vs Ola Aina

It was a fascinating battle when the two players last faced each other which was in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Kigali on September 10, 2024.

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Niyomugabo played as if he was possessed and Ola Aina will admit he has never been tormented by another fullback in his career like that. The Nottingham Forest star got booked on the stroke of halftime by Moroccan referee Karim Sabry for pulling the jersey of Niyomugabo who had left him for dead.

It will be another fierce battle on Friday and Niyomugabo will want to show again that he can compete against some of the best in the world.

Kevin Muhire vs Wilfred Ndidi

Muhire ran the show against the more experienced Ndidi and occasionally left the Nigeria deputy skipper marking only shadows.

Muhire was so swift, his passes, and ability to move into empty spaces and others were spot on when the two teams met in September last year.

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Will the Rayon Sports skipper be able to replicate that performance or will Ndidi come out victorious this time? Only time will tell.

Victor Osimhen vs Ange Mutsinzi

Ange Mutsinzi did a good job by man-marking the Nigerian star when the two teams met six months ago. Osimhen was restricted to just three chances when he came on in the second half as Amavubi pulled a 0-0 draw.

The telepathic understanding between Mutsinzi and his defensive partner Thierry Manzi worked on the day as though the former was marking Osimhen, the latter stood close so as to offer additional support.

Osimhen is expected to start on Friday and will the Amavubi pair be able to hold him for 90 minutes? Mutsinzi may have learnt his lessons as in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, he pocketed Sadio Mane for 95 minutes before conceding a 96th-minute penalty as Amavubi lost 1-0.

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Bonheur Mugisha vs Ademola Lookman

Lookman was the most dangerous Nigerian player the last time the two teams met in Kigali in September 2024.

The Atalanta star played as a number 10 and he caused problems for Bonheur Mugisha early in the game before the Stade Tunisien player warmed himself into the encounter and had a wonderful outing.

It will be an intriguing battle again between the two players should Eric Chelle choose to deploy Lookman as a number 10.

Nigerian attack vs Fiacre Ntwari

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Fiacre Ntwari made an incredible 11 saves as Amavubi drew 0-0 with Nigeria at the same venue in a 2025 AFCON qualifier in 2024. Ntwari earned praise from then Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen who described him as the man of the match and one of the best keepers he has seen.

Nigeria is spoilt for choice in attack. They have Osimhen, Victor Moses, Umar Sadiq, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare and others who cause havoc on any day.

They will start firing from all angles as usual and Ntwari must have to prove his mettle again by saving Amavubi as he did in September 2024.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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As major global sporting events beckon, Morocco’s monarch launches the Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed rail project

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King Mohammed VI launched construction work Thursday on the Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed Rail Line (LGV) at Rabat-Agdal train station.

As Morocco continues to attract global visitors, especially in the sporting segments, infrastructural development is ongoing.

The latest is the Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed Rail Line (LGV) at Rabat-Agdal train station, paving the way for a new era of ultra-modern rail infrastructure across the country.

The project was launched on Thursday by the monarch, King Mohammed VI. Apart from being a centre of major sporting events, Morocco recently launched a tourism initiative that will make the kingdom the ultimate destination.

The internal transport system is being overhauled. The 430-kilometre project forms part of a $9.6 billion railway development program that will transform the country’s transportation network.

It will be recalled that the 2030 FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by Morocco along with Spain and Portugal.

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It is the first ever transcontinental edition of the World Cup, which also marks the 100th anniversary of the global championship.

According to information from the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), the  Kenitra-Marrakech  LGV reflects Morocco’s strategic vision for sustainable development, particularly the promotion of low-carbon collective mobility solutions.

“This project demonstrates Morocco’s firm determination to continue developing the national rail network,” said an official statement during the ceremony, noting the railway’s role as “the backbone of a sustainable and inclusive transport system.”

The high-speed line will connect Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech while serving Rabat and Casablanca airports.

It will drastically reduce travel times, with journeys between Tangier and Rabat taking just one hour, Tangier to Casablanca 1 hour 40 minutes, and Tangier to Marrakech 2 hours 40 minutes — saving over two hours compared to current durations.

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Saudi Arabia open to 64-team World Cup in 2034

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 World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Third Round - Group C - Saudi Arabia v China - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - March 20, 2025 Saudi Arabia fans in the stands REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

Saudi Arabia would be ready and willing to host a 64-team World Cup in 2034 if FIFA accepts a controversial proposal to expand the tournament from 48, according to the kingdom’s sports minister.

South America’s CONMEBOL has officially suggested staging the centenary 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco with 64 teams, but the idea has been opposed by some other continental confederations.

Next year’s tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will have 48 countries participating, up from 32 in 2022.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal told a select group of reporters at the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah that his country would have no objection to an increase in the numbers for 2034.

“We’re ready, or we will be ready, inshallah (God willing). If that’s a decision that FIFA takes and thinks that that’s a good decision for everyone, then we’re more than happy to deliver on it,” he said.

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He pointed to the infrastructure already in place for Islamic pilgrims, with four million people attending Mecca for Umrah during Ramadan this year and five million expected for the Hajj.

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 FIFA expected to confirm Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup hosts – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – December 11, 2024 A model of the proposed Roshn Stadium is seen inside the Saudi Arabia World Cup bid exhibition REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

The global soccer governing body officially announced Saudi Arabia as hosts of the 2034 men’s World Cup in December, a bid that was uncontested but strongly criticised by rights organisations.

The Kingdom has invested heavily in sport over the last few years, but critics accuse it of ‘sportswashing’ its human rights record. The country denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its national security through its laws.

The bid book pledged 15 stadiums, new or refurbished, by 2032 and which are expected to be completed with the help of migrant labour.

Al-Faisal said worker safety was of the highest priority and Saudi organisers were talking regularly with FIFA and 2022 hosts and neighbours Qatar, the first World Cup in the region, to learn from their experience.

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He said the death, reported last month, of a worker at the Aramco Stadium construction site in Al Khobar had come after millions of hours without issue.

“Every incident we take seriously, we file an investigation, we look what went wrong,” said the minister. “Unfortunately, in construction, these things happen.”

He said Saudi Arabia was part of the International Labour Organisation and a 2021 Labour Reform Act had abolished the kafala system that binds migrant workers to one employer and prevents them from leaving without the employer’s approval.

Alcohol, prohibited for observant Muslims, is banned in Saudi Arabia and Al-Faisal confirmed the World Cup would be dry.

“The law now here in Saudi is that there’s no alcohol. Will that change in the future? We don’t know. But I don’t see it really affecting our sporting events at all,” he said.

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“We’ve had more than 100 international events so far. We’ve had people come from all over the world to attend these sporting events. And everyone’s happy with the hospitality, the setup, the experience that they get.

“I don’t see it as an issue, to be honest. So I hope it’s not going to be an issue”.

Alcohol was not sold at stadiums in Qatar, where drinking in public is illegal, in 2022 but beer was available at designated fan zones and in some hotels.

-Reuters

 

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Another continental body, CONCACAF opposes CONMEBOL’s 64-team World Cup 2030 proposal

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Inglewood, California, USA; Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is interviewed for TV before the Concacaf Nations League final between Mexico and Panama at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images/File Photo

A 64-team World Cup in 2030 should not be considered, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has said, joining some other confederations in opposing a plan presented by CONMEBOL.

CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez last week officially proposed staging the 2030 World Cup with 64 teams, up from the 48 set to take part in next year’s edition, with the tournament to be hosted largely by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

The opening matches will take place in Uruguay, where the first World Cup was hosted in 1930, along with Argentina and Paraguay.

“I don’t believe expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is the right move for the tournament itself and the broader football ecosystem, from national teams to club competitions, leagues, and players,” Montagliani told ESPN, opens new tab.

CONCACAF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The CONMEBOL plan would have a long way to go for approval, with the 48-team 2026 edition already expanded from the 2022 tournament, when 32 countries took part.

The 2026 tournament is set to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

“We haven’t even kicked off the new 48-team World Cup yet, so personally, I don’t think that expanding to 64 teams should even be on the table,” said Montagliani.

His comments echoed complaints by UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin, who this month voiced opposition to the idea, and Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who told AFP, opens new tab he fears expansion would lead to chaos.

-Reuters

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