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Chelle Backs 2 Yests AFCON Cycle As CAF Reviews Tournament Format

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Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has endorsed calls to return the Africa Cup of Nations to its traditional biennial schedule, saying the two-year cycle is vital for the growth of African football.

 

Chelle, who led Mali at the 2023 AFCON and Nigeria at the 2025 edition, argued that holding the continent’s biggest tournament every two years would give African nations more chances to improve, develop players and face top-level opposition.

Speaking in an interview ,he said: “For me, it’s perfect because when you want to improve, having one tournament every four years is difficult. So, having a tournament every two years now is perfect, so we can continue to improve.”

The Confederation of African Football had announced plans to switch AFCON to a four-year cycle, but CAF president Patrice Motsepe has recently hinted that the decision could be reviewed, reopening the debate over the competition’s future.

Chelle insists more frequent tournaments would help African teams close the competitive gap with international rivals.

“We can grow together; we will play two big tournaments instead of the other nations playing one tournament,” he added.

The Super Eagles boss also stressed the importance of regular high-level international competition in preparing African sides for the FIFA World Cup. He believes a biennial AFCON would offer valuable experience and help teams sharpen their tactical and technical abilities.

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Plateau United Humbles Kano Pillars 4-0 In Jos

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Plateau United produced a dominant display to thrash Kano Pillars 4-0 in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday Eight encounter in Jos on Sunday.

 

The hosts took an early lead through P. Samson in the third minute before D. Ojo doubled their advantage deep into first-half stoppage time to give Plateau United a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.

Kano Pillars struggled to find a way back into the contest after the interval, with Plateau United maintaining their attacking pressure and control of the game.

S. Ayanrinde extended the hosts’ lead in the 82nd minute, putting the result beyond doubt before S. Nenrot completed the rout with a fourth goal in the fourth minute of added time.

The emphatic victory underlined Plateau United’s attacking strength as they capitalised on home advantage to hand the visitors a heavy defeat.

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Vinicius And Girlfriend Announce  Break Up Amid Real Madrid Struggles

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Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior and Brazilian influencer Virginia Fonseca have ended their relationship for a second time, four months after reconciling, with the announcement coming a day after the Brazilian winger was sent off against Villarreal.

 

Virginia’s press team confirmed the separation on Sunday, October 11, saying the decision was mutual and denying reports of a dispute.

The development comes after Vinícius received a straight red card in Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Villarreal, leaving him at risk of missing the October 25 El Clásico against Barcelona.

“Virginia Fonseca and Vini Jr. are no longer together. There was no conflict, there was no fight, only the understanding that they should no longer continue as a couple,” her representatives said.

Rumours of a fresh split emerged on Saturday after the 27-year-old Brazilian influencer travelled from Madrid to Miami with her children.

Reports suggested the couple had argued, but her team had previously said the trip was planned so the children could visit their father, singer Zé Felipe.

Neither Virginia nor Vinícius had publicly explained the reasons for the latest separation at the time of the announcement.

The pair’s relationship became public in 2025, and they confirmed their romance in October that year. Virginia announced their first separation on May 15, 2026, after seven months together, saying she preferred to end a relationship that no longer made sense rather than remain in it.

They reconciled in July, appearing together publicly at the launch of Virginia’s business in Goiânia on July 20. They later displayed matching commitment rings on social media in September, suggesting their relationship had resumed seriously.

The latest announcement ends that reconciliation after roughly three months.

The breakup comes during a difficult period for Vinícius on the pitch. On Saturday, he came off the bench—after losing his starting berth due to loss of form—in the 52nd minute against Villarreal and appeared to have scored Real Madrid’s second goal before VAR intervened.

The goal was disallowed after a review showed that Vinícius had pulled Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba’s hair during the build-up. Referee Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos then sent the Brazilian off for violent conduct in the 72nd minute.

Real Madrid still won 1-0 through Yan Diomande’s 62nd-minute goal, but Vinícius now faces a possible suspension.

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NPFL: Katsina United Outshines Enyimba In Six-Goal Thriller

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Katsina United defeated Enyimba 4-2 in a thrilling Nigeria Premier Football League ,NPFL, Matchday Eight encounter at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Friday.

 

The victory ended Enyimba’s three-match unbeaten run in the league.

Katsina United took the lead in the sixth minute when Emeka Onyema inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

The hosts doubled their advantage six minutes later through Mubarak Sani.

The Ikon Allah Boys maintained their two-goal lead until the half-time break.

Luis Dadong extended Katsina United’s advantage in the 60th minute, putting the hosts firmly in control of the contest.

Enyimba, however, responded with two quick goals as Chidera Michael reduced the deficit in the 67th minute before Charles Egbe struck again in the 75th minute to make it 3-2.

With the visitors threatening to complete a comeback, Umar Rabiu scored the home team’s fourth goal in the 80th minute to seal an entertaining 4-2 victory for the home side.

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