Bafana Bafana of South Africa finally lifted off to Mexico ahead of the 2026 World Cup after a day’s delay but without their assistant coach.

Bafana Bafana departure was delayed after problems of securing travel visas to the United States of America.

Some players and officials did not get these visas before Sunday’s planned take off and hence the delay.

However, assistant coach Helman Mkhalele was refused visa into the US, where the team will play a group game.

No reason was given for this refusal.

South Africa will open the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City on June 11 against co-hosts Mexico,

The post South Africa finally off to World Cup without coach first appeared on Score Nigeria.

Did you know that Super Eagles legend Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha holds the record for the most successful dribbles in a single World Cup game?

According to FIFA, Okocha made 15 successful dribbles against Italy at the 15th edition of the World Cup at USA 1994.

‘Jay Jay’ did this against a defensive team like Italy in the Round of 16 as he ghosted past the likes of Paolo Maldini, Demetrio Albertini and Alessandro Costacurta.

Okocha is followed by Brazil’s Jairzinho (13 v Uruguay in 1970), England’s Paul Gascoigne (13 v Cameroon in 1990), Portugal’s Eusebio (12 v Hungary in 1966), West Germany’s Reinhard Libuda (12 v Bulgaria in 1970), the Netherlands’ Johan Cruyff (12 v Sweden in 1974), Italy’s Sandro Mazzola (12 v Poland in 1974), Argentina’s Diego Maradona (12 v England in 1986), and Germany’s Jamal Musiala (12 v Costa Rica in 2022).

Lionel Messi has completed the most take-ons in World Cup history (125), with fellow Argentinian Maradona pulling off the most in one edition (53 at Mexico 1986).

The post FIFA: Okocha holds World Cup dribbles record first appeared on Score Nigeria.

Barcelona have ended their interest in Victor Osimhen as their top transfer target now is Argentina star Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid, according to Top Transfer Expert Fabrizio Romano.

This followed their shock acquisition of Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon for 80 million euros.

Romano has reported that 24-year-old striker Alvarez is Barcelona dream signing after the Catalan giants were previously linked to Osimhen.

The Transfer Expert said that Barcelona now plan to make an offer for Alvarez in the short term.

A swap deal is not preferred, he knows; Barça do not intend to involve players in the multi-million transfer.

Behind the scenes, intense negotiations are reportedly taking place with the help of intermediaries.

Alvarez has reportedly already informed Atlético Madrid of his wish to leave.

The Argentina star also does not want to extend his contract. Atlético had hoped to secure Alvarez until mid-2031. His current contract runs until the summer of 2030. That agreement reportedly includes a buyout clause of 500 million euros.

Romano himself has not named a specific transfer fee, but various media outlets previously reported that Alvárez will likely cost around 150 million euros.

He moved from Manchester City to Atlético in the summer of 2024. Around ninety million euros was paid for him at the time.

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