Sports
Ighalo to Miss African Nations’ Cup Tournament
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s chance of winning a fourth African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title may have gotten a dent as another one of its strikers, Odion Ighalo has dropped out after his Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab refused to release him for the tournament in Cameroon.
The 32-year-old top scorer at the last Nations’ Cup in 2019 was initially given a deadline of Tuesday to confirm his availability by interim Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen.
However, Ighalo was not part of the squad that landed in Garoua late on Wednesday.
On Thursday, a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said the player will no longer be expected as a result of issues with his Saudi Arabian club.
Just like the scenario with Watford’s striker, Ighalo’s letter of invitation did not reach the Saudi club within the period specified by world governing body FIFA for receiving players’ call-up letters.
“The FIFA Player Status Regulations stipulates that the federation must notify the player and his club in writing of his summons 15 days before the start of the tournament, and it is advised to send a copy to the local federation of the club as well, which did not happen.
“Accordingly, the coach [Pericles Chamusca] told us that the player will stay with us and will not join the Nigerian team.
“There are no negotiations between us and the Nigerian federation, and the player is committed to the decision. The situation is settled,” a club official noted.
The country will need to work harder with four of its striking options now out and won’t be able to name a replacement.
Last week, the football body confirmed that Nigeria’s top scorer during the 2022 World Cup qualification series, Victor Osimhen, will not be playing in the competition.
The Napoli forward was ruled out due to health issues after the player had expressed readiness to represent the nation in Cameroon.
“Lively forward Victor Osimhen’s positive test to the coronavirus pandemic a couple of days ago and injury to the versatile Abdullahi Shehu have constrained changes to Nigeria’s final 28-man list for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations starting in Cameroon next weekend,” a statement from the NFF read.
Aside from Osimhen, Watford also failed to release in-form striker, Dennis Emmanuel, for Nigeria’s 19th appearance at the continental showpiece.
Rangers of Scotland Defender Leon Balogun and Cyprus-based Abdullahi Shehu were also among the players ruled out of the soccer party last week.
In their stead, Nigeria invited Henry Onyekuru, Peter Olayinka, Tyronne Ebuehi, and Oluwasemilogo Ajayi.
Nigeria begins their AFCON journey on Tuesday, January 11th when they face record winners, Egypt, in the Group D opening fixture. Guinea-Bissau and Sudan are the other teams in the group.
Updated List of Nigeria’s Squad:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany); Tyrone Ebuehi (Venezia FC, Italy); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Praha, Czech Republic).
Sports
The Best Betting Site in Nigeria – Secretbet
Online betting in Nigeria has really taken off lately. So many people are into it, especially with football being huge here. Everyone bets on Premier League or local games, and now they want sites that are quick and safe. I think Secretbet might be the top one, at least from what I have seen. It covers everything a bettor needs without too much hassle.
The whole thing is booming because Nigeria loves sports, right? The Internet makes it easy to jump in from anywhere. Platforms have to offer good odds and fast payouts to keep up. Secretbet fits that, with options for all kinds of matches.
What stands out about Secretbet is how it feels made for us in Nigeria. The site is straightforward, works on phones or laptops without lagging. You can sign up and bet in no time. It’s reliable, I guess, which is key when you are waiting for results.
They have tons of sports too. Football is the main draw, like the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Champions League, even international ones. Then there is basketball, tennis, hockey, esports, all that. Markets vary, match outcomes, over-under, both teams scoring, handicaps, special stuff. It keeps things interesting.
Live betting is another part that seems solid. You bet during the game, odds change as it goes. Good for watching momentum or players. The interface doesn’t slow down, keeps you in it.
Odds are competitive, which matters for making money over time. Better odds mean more back on your bets. Secretbet keeps them fair and clear, no tricks there.
Payments are fast and secure. Deposits and withdrawals don’t take forever. They use encryption to keep data safe, so you don’t worry about that.
Bonuses help too. New users get welcomes, regulars have promotions to boost things. It adds value if you play smart.
They push responsible betting, with tools to stay in control. Make sure it’s fun, not a problem.
Overall, Secretbet is a betting site that has wide coverage, good odds, quick payouts, live features.
Sports
Tottenham Hotspur Sack Thomas Frank After Winless Run in 2026
By Adedapo Adesanya
The manager of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Thomas Frank, has been fired after only eight months in charge, with his team just five points above the relegation zone in the Premier League.
Despite leading Spurs to the round of 16 in the Champions League, Frank has overseen a despicable domestic campaign with no wins recorded so far in 2026.
The decision to part ways with the Denmark-born manager on Wednesday followed a 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle on Tuesday night.
Under the Dane, Spurs finished fourth in the Champions League league phase as they advanced to the last-16 stage.
Frank joined Tottenham last summer, signing a three-year contract to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou.
Under Postecoglou last season, Tottenham Hotspur recorded their worst Premier League campaign, finishing 17th with 38 points, having lost 22 of their 38 games. They did, though, qualify for the Champions League after winning the Europa League over Manchester United for their first trophy since the then-Carling Cup win over Chelsea in 2008.
The arrival of Frank, however, saw a small sliver of hope before it turned worse, with Spurs winning only six of their opening 16 league games. They suffered successive top-flight defeats in November, losing 4-1 to rivals Arsenal and 2-1 to Fulham.
Spurs began 2026 with draws against Brentford and Sunderland before losing to Bournemouth, getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa and a defeat against West Ham United. Frank was jeered by supporters after each result.
Frank’s side rallied to secure successive 2-2 draws against Burnley and Manchester City in the Premier League, either side of Champions League victories, but a two-goal loss at Manchester United and defeat to Newcastle continued their winless run.
The club will be looking for a new manager ahead of its next set of games in the Premier League and in the Champions League.
Sports
French Roulette Special Rules: La Partage and En Prison Explained
French roulette distinguishes itself from American and European variants through two special rules that significantly reduce the house edge on even-money bets — La Partage and En Prison. These player-favorable rules apply specifically when the ball lands on zero, a situation where standard roulette rules award the entire bet to the house. Understanding how these mechanisms work, their strategic implications, and when they’re available provides players with valuable knowledge for selecting optimal roulette games and maximizing betting value. While American roulette maintains a 5.26% house edge with its double-zero wheel and European roulette offers 2.70% with a single zero, French roulette with La Partage or En Prison reduces the house edge to just 1.35% on even-money bets — among the lowest edges in traditional casino games requiring no skill beyond bet selection.
La Partage Rule Explained
La Partage, meaning “the sharing” in French, applies when the ball lands on zero while players have active even-money outside bets — red/black, odd/even, or high/low. Under this rule, players lose only half their wager rather than the full amount.
On a standard European wheel with La Partage, the house edge on even-money bets drops from 2.70% to 1.35%. When zero appears, the dealer collects half of each even-money bet and returns the remaining half. The process is straightforward and resolves immediately.
Crucially, La Partage applies only to even-money outside bets. Inside bets and other outside bets (dozens, columns) follow standard rules where zero results in complete loss.
En Prison Rule Explained
En Prison, meaning “in prison,” offers an alternative approach. Rather than immediately collecting half the wager, En Prison allows players to leave their bet “imprisoned” for the next spin, granting a second chance without additional risk.
When zero appears, the dealer places a marker on the bet indicating imprisoned status. On the subsequent spin, if the bet wins, the original wager is returned without additional winnings. If the bet loses, the house collects the imprisoned wager. If zero appears again, rules vary — some casinos implement “double imprisonment,” while others apply La Partage.
Mathematically, En Prison provides the same 1.35% house edge on even-money bets as La Partage. However, psychological and practical differences exist.
Comparing La Partage and En Prison
While mathematically equivalent, La Partage and En Prison create different playing experiences:
| Aspect | La Partage | En Prison |
| Resolution speed | Immediate | Delayed (next spin) |
| Bet tracking | Not required | Required |
| Psychological experience | Quick resolution | Suspenseful second chance |
| Game flow | Faster | Slower |
| Player convenience | Higher | Lower |
Gaming sites like Ice Casino online in the digital casino industry provide French roulette variants where players can experience these rules at virtual gaming platforms. Land-based casinos, particularly in European markets, more commonly offer En Prison for the dramatic element, while some venues implement La Partage for faster game flow.
Strategic Implications
The presence of La Partage or En Prison dramatically alters the optimal strategy. Players should actively seek French roulette tables with these rules rather than playing European or American variants. The house edge reduction from 2.70% to 1.35% effectively doubles expected playing time per dollar wagered.
Even-money outside bets become significantly more attractive. While inside bets maintain the standard 2.70% house edge, even-money bets enjoy the reduced 1.35% edge. Players should concentrate on wagering on red/black, odd/even, and high/low.
However, these rules don’t eliminate the house edge or create a beatable game. Players should maintain realistic expectations.
Betting systems like Martingale or D’Alembert rely heavily on even-money bets, making French roulette with La Partage or En Prison the optimal variant for these approaches.
Finding French Roulette with Special Rules
European land-based casinos, particularly in France and Monte Carlo, commonly offer authentic French roulette with these rules. United Kingdom casinos frequently provide French roulette variants. American casinos rarely offer French roulette with special rules.
Online casinos offer the widest access. Major software providers like Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and NetEnt include French roulette variants with La Partage or En Prison. Players should verify which rule applies before playing, as some platforms label tables “French Roulette” while implementing only the table layout without the crucial special rules.
Table minimums and maximums often differ between French roulette and other variants. Some casinos position French roulette as a premium offering with higher minimum bets.
Maximizing Value From Special Rules
Players should concentrate their action on even-money outside bets where these rules apply. While inside bets offer higher payouts, they maintain the standard 2.70% house edge.
Bankroll management becomes more forgiving. The 1.35% edge means players can expect approximately twice the playing time from a given bankroll compared to standard European roulette.
Players should understand that while La Partage and En Prison improve roulette odds substantially, they don’t create a positive expectation game. Variance still produces winning and losing streaks. The special rules simply ensure that over sufficient trials, losses accumulate more slowly, providing better value for casino gaming entertainment.
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