The World Wrestling Entertainment has launched a continent-wide talent competition to uncover Africa's next WWE Superstar in collaboration with its Sub-Saharan Africa broadcast partner, SuperSport.

In order to promote Lagos as the host city for a multi-day trial in February 2023, the campaign was unveiled during an interactive media briefing in Lagos.

The US delegates to the meeting with the SuperSports team were headed by James Kimball, Head of Talent Operations and Strategy for WWE, and Marc Jury, Chief Executive of SuperSports.

Nigerians and residents of other African nations may now apply for the position of Africa's Next WWE Superstar, and applications will be accepted through December 18th, according to Kimball.

“Interested candidates are to submit a video highlighting their potential to become a WWE Superstar. Successful applicants will be invited to participate in the Lagos tryout in February 2023.

A select number of tryout participants will be awarded an all-expense-paid experience to continue their tryout journey alongside current and prospective WWE superstars, ahead of WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles in April 2023.”

The best performers may be given a full-time WWE developmental contract at the conclusion, according to Kimball, and they would start their new careers at the WWE Centre in Orlando, Florida.

According to Kimball, Africa is a key focus of their updated global talent recruiting strategy, and this campaign in Lagos would mark the beginning of what they hope would develop into an ongoing, multi-country effort to build ties throughout the globe.

“We at WWE identify talent that will resonate with our passionate and loyal African fanbase ever increasing in Africa especially in Nigeria.

“The region has incredible potential to serve as a meaningful talent development hub for WWE and we look forward to working with our tremendous partners in Nigeria at SuperSport.

“Our target is to uncover the next generation of superstars through this program,” Kimball said.

Similarly, Marx Jury, for the SuperSports team said that the continent abounds with athletes and this would be a perfect opportunity to showcase fresh talents.

“There is a massive appetite among African audiences for WWE action and entertainment, we expect this initiative to be very popular with aspirants.

“SuperSport looks forward to telling this exciting story in the weeks and months to come.”Jury said.

To strengthen the friendly ties between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco, Ibrahim Gusau, president of the Nigeria Football Federation, met with Moha Ou Ali Tagma, the Moroccan ambassador to Nigeria.

Gusau informed Tagma that the visit was made in appreciation of the cooperation that the NFF and Nigeria Football teams had received from the embassy in the past as well as in recognition of the significant role that Morocco was currently playing in African football. Gusau was joined by NFF First Vice President Felix Anyansi-Agwu and board members Margaret Icheen and Sharif Rabiu Inuwa.

“We have just come in as new board of the NFF, and having served on the previous board and fully aware of the co-operation that Your Excellency and Mission Staff have afforded the NFF and Nigerian football over the years, and the need to foster stronger ties with Morocco, we have decided to come and explore the possibility of excellent partnership agreements that could benefit both countries in the long run.

“The accomplishments of Morocco in the area of infrastructure and organizational capacity cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone fully involved in African Football will appreciate the role that Morocco is playing at the present. As we speak, our Bayelsa Queens are playing in the CAF Women Champions League ongoing in Morocco. Our Super Falcons played in the Women AFCON there a few months ago and the Super Eagles played an AFCON qualifier there in June.”

“The FA president, Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa, is a friend and brother, and very passionate about the African game. The NFF will seek ties with Morocco that will ultimately benefit Nigeria Football in the area of development.”

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was a "mistake".

Blatter was president of world football's governing body when Qatar was awarded the tournament in 2010.

The Gulf state has been heavily criticized and condemned for its stance on same-sex relationships, human rights record and treatment of migrant workers.

Blatter said he was "right" to have said at the time that the tournament "should not go" to Qatar for 2022.

The 86-year-old was speaking on upcoming BBC Radio 5 Live podcast series Power Play - The House of Sepp Blatter about the decision to award Qatar the World Cup.

Fifa's executive committee voted 14-8 for Qatar to host the tournament ahead of the United States 12 years ago, at the same time Russia was awarded the 2018 event.

Blatter says he voted for the United States and blames then-Uefa president Michel Platini for swinging the vote in Qatar's favour.

The Qatar World Cup, the first to be hosted in the Middle East in the tournament's 92-year-history and the first during the Northern Hemisphere winter, takes place from 20 November to 18 December.

Gerard Pique was sent off at half time in his final match before retirement for Barcelona as his side came from behind to defeat Osasuna and move five points clear at the top of La Liga.

35-year-old Pique was dismissed despite being on the bench after appearing to remonstrate with the referee.

He was angered by the decision to show Robert Lewandowski a second yellow card in the 31st minute.

David Garcia gave Osasuna the lead, before Pedri drew level and Raphinha completed the comeback with a second half header.

Lewandowski was dismissed for only the second time in his career after he was booked for an aerial challenge with Garcia.

Pedri's equaliser came early in the second half, before Raphinha headed in Frenkie de Jong's cross five minutes from time to ensure Barcelona took full advantage of Real Madrid's loss at Rayo Vallecano on Monday and open a 5-point gap at the La Liga summit.