By Dan Opara

In the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Nigeria is currently ahead of Benin Republic by a score of 3-0.

The decisive goal was scored by Ademola Lukman, who is playing with Atlanta FC in Turkey, just before halftime, in the 45th minute.

The match is taking place at the Uyo Stadium in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

In a decisive display second half of football prowess, Nigeria’s Super Eagles triumphed 3-0 over Benin Republic in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match held in Uyo.

Ademola Lookman played a pivotal role by netting two goals, one in each half of the game.

Victor Osimhen, making a significant impact off the bench, scored the third goal, further solidifying Nigeria’s dominance.

This victory propels Nigeria to the top of Group D in the qualifiers.

The Super Eagles will next face Rwanda on Tuesday, September 10, as they continue their campaign toward the AFCON finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo has made football history by becoming the first men’s player to score 900 goals in official matches.

The Portuguese forward achieved this remarkable feat during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League clash against Croatia in Lisbon on Thursday, securing his 900th goal with a precise volley from 6 yards out, assisted by Nuno Mendes.

The goal gave Portugal a 2-0 lead, and they went on to win the match 2-1.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner now sits 58 goals ahead of his closest competitor, Lionel Messi, who has 842 goals to his name. Brazilian football legend Pelé ranks third with 765 official goals.

Ronaldo was previously the first player to surpass the 800-goal mark, a milestone he reached during his second stint at Manchester United in late 2021. In addition to his 769 club goals, Ronaldo boasts a record 131 goals for Portugal in 209 appearances, making him the highest-scoring player in international football.

Messi and former Iranian forward Ali Daei follow on the list with 109 international goals each.

The 39-year-old forward, currently playing for Al Nassr, has no plans to slow down and has set his sights on an even bigger milestone.

In a recent interview with former teammate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo revealed his ambition to reach 1,000 career goals by the time he turns 41, provided he remains injury-free.

Rebecca Cheptegei represented Uganda in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics 2024 [File: Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports]

Uganda’s Olympian Cheptegei dies after being set on fire by boyfriend

Marathon runner Cheptegei died aged 33 due to multiple organ failure after suffering 80 percent burns when her boyfriend poured petrol on her and set her on fire in Kenya.

Uganda’s Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died four days after being set on fire by her boyfriend, the country’s Olympic chief said.

“We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei … following a vicious attack by her boyfriend,” Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) President Donald Rukare said in a post on X on Thursday.

The 33-year-old succumbed to the burns she suffered when her boyfriend poured petrol on her and set her ablaze in Kenya, making her the third female athlete to be killed in the country since October 2021.

“[Cheptegei] passed today morning after her organs failed,” Owen Menach, senior director of clinical services at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), told the Reuters news agency, adding that a full report regarding the circumstances of her death would be released on Thursday afternoon.

Peter Ogwang, Uganda’s minister of state for education and sports, described her death as “tragic”.

“Kenyan authorities are investigating the circumstances under which she died and a more detailed report and program will be provided in due course,” he said.

UOC chief Rukare termed the incident a “cowardly and senseless act” and said it had deprived the country of a “great athlete”.

“Her legacy will continue to endure,” he added.

We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a vicious attack by her boyfriend. May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a… pic.twitter.com/V8Mog3oMOX

— Donald Rukare (@drukare) September 5, 2024

Cheptegei had sustained burns to three-quarters of her body, the acting head of MTRH in the Rift Valley city of Eldoret, where she was being treated, told reporters on Tuesday.

Identifying the accused as her partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, police said he doused Cheptegei with petrol and set her alight on Sunday at her home in Endebess in the western county of Trans-Nzoia.