Carlo Ancelotti’s latest Brazil squad announcement has stirred controversy in Spain, with Barcelona questioning what they see as double standards in player management.

The Italian coach has opted to rest Real Madrid trio Éder Militão, Vinícius Júnior (suspended for one match), and Rodrygo, yet called up Barcelona winger Raphinha for two fixtures that carry little real significance in Brazil’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

Brazil, already assured of a place at the 2026 finals, host Chile at the Maracanã on Thursday, September 4, before making a testing trip to El Alto on Tuesday, September 9, to face Bolivia at 4,150 metres above sea level.

 While the Rio clash carries prestige, the high-altitude Bolivia match is viewed as physically draining and largely inconsequential.

According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Barcelona are now lobbying the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to release Raphinha after the first match, sparing him the arduous trip to Bolivia. Club officials want to protect his fitness and ensure his availability for coach Hansi Flick as the season enters a decisive phase.

For Barça, the issue highlights an apparent imbalance. While Real Madrid’s stars are spared from unnecessary international exertion, their own forward is being asked to shoulder risks the club believes are avoidable.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

South Africa’s coach Hugo Broos has admitted that Nigeria’s Super Eagles remain the toughest hurdle to Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, despite the Nigerians’ poor start in Group C.

Speaking to South African outlet IOL, the Belgian tactician stressed that his players cannot afford to underestimate Nigeria ahead of their September 9 clash in Bloemfontein.

“We knew from the start that the team we had to beat was Nigeria,” Broos said. “Even though they started badly, they can still qualify.”

The Super Eagles sit fourth in the group with seven points, trailing leaders South Africa by six.

Victory in Bloemfontein would revive the Super Eagles’ faltering campaign, while defeat could make their path to the 2026 World Cup in North America significantly more difficult.

With Bafana Bafana leading the standings and Nigeria desperate to reignite their charge, the match is shaping up as a decisive battle in Group C.

South Africa’s coach acknowledged that despite their stuttering start, the Super Eagles remain the group’s biggest threat.

 “We knew from the start that the team we had to beat was Nigeria,” he admitted. “Even though they started badly, they can still qualify.”

For Nigeria, the clash in Bloemfontein offers a chance to revive their faltering campaign and cut down the six-point gap between them and the group leaders.

Anything short of victory could leave the Super Eagles facing an uphill battle to reach the 2026 finals.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria will come up against one of their own when they travel to Bloemfontein for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa, after Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos included Nigerian-born defender Ime Okon in his final squad.

Okon, who was born to a Nigerian father and South African mother but grew up in South Africa.

He has been making waves in the Premier Soccer League and has now earned a place in Broos’ squad for the back-to-back qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria.

The 20-year-old centre-back could line up against the Super Eagles in Bloemfontein on September 9, in what is already being billed as a decisive clash in Group C.

While South Africa sit comfortably at the top of the group with 13 points, Nigeria are languishing in fourth with just seven points from six matches.

Victory for the Super Eagles would revive their campaign, but defeat could leave their hopes of reaching the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico hanging by a thread.

Before hosting Nigeria, Bafana Bafana will face Lesotho on September 5 at the Free State Stadium, which Lesotho are using as their temporary home ground.

Broos, according to a South African publication, IOL,  has cautioned his squad against complacency, reminding them that Lesotho held Nigeria to a shock draw in Uyo earlier in the qualifiers.

“The biggest mistake the South African players can make is underestimating Lesotho,” Broos warned. “We beat them before, so we must beat them again.”

Who is Ime Okon?

Ime Okon was born in 2004. He came through the youth ranks at SuperSport United before making his breakthrough into the first team, where his composure on the ball and aerial strength quickly caught the eye.

 Although eligible to represent Nigeria, Okon opted to represent South Africa at the international level, featuring in youth squads before earning his senior call-up under Hugo Broos.

For Nigeria, however, the spotlight will not only be on their desperate need for points but also on the intriguing subplot of facing Ime Okon — a player born to a Nigerian father but now donning South African colours in one of the continent’s fiercest football rivalries.

Bafana Bafana squad:

Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, Sydney Mobbie, Zuko Mdunyelwa, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndame, Ime Okon, Samukelo Kabini, Siyabonga Ngezana, Teboho Mokoena, Luke le Roux, Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha, Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Lyle Foster, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners, Mohau Nkota and Mduduzi Shabalala.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H