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Maniche Backs Cristiano Ronaldo for 2026 World Cup Selection

Published

4 months ago

June 10, 2026

Maniche supports Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup inclusion, saying the Portugal star remains vital for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite age concerns

Former Portugal midfielder Maniche, speaking in an interview with Flash Score on Tuesday, June 10, 2026, has strongly defended the inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the veteran forward remains a vital asset for the national team as debate continues over his role and longevity, particularly regarding Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup inclusion.

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Maniche stated that Ronaldo’s continued presence in the national setup is justified as long as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner maintains the desire and ambition to represent Portugal at international level.

He described Ronaldo, who is currently 41 and playing club football for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, as an “exceptional player” who still commands attention from opponents and contributes meaningfully to team dynamics despite the natural decline in physical intensity with age.

Ronaldo, the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s football with 973 career goals for club and country, is expected to feature in a record-extending sixth FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026, underlining his enduring influence in the global game.

Maniche also stressed that respect for Ronaldo’s achievements is essential, criticising what he described as a lack of “intellectual honesty” in some discussions about the forward’s current ability.

He maintained that Ronaldo continues to serve as a key reference point for Portugal’s national team.

According to Maniche, no other striker currently surpasses Ronaldo’s overall impact, adding that tactical decisions regarding squad selection ultimately rest with the national team coach.

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Portugal are set to begin their World Cup campaign against DR Congo on June 16 in Houston, with Uzbekistan and Colombia also drawn in Group K. The tournament is expected to mark another historic chapter in Ronaldo’s international career.

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Money

EFCC Arraigns Two Lovers Over Alleged N35.9m Theft

Published

2 hours ago

October 22, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

The EFCC N35.9m theft case involves two young lovers accused of allegedly transferring money from a woman’s account in Edo State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has arraigned two young lovers, Marian Elia, 19, and Izuchukwu Uzoma, 21, over the alleged theft of N35.92m belonging to a woman, Mrs Esther Ogbeifun, in Benin City, Edo State.

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The commission disclosed this in a statement published on its official X account on Wednesday, stating that its Benin Zonal Directorate brought the defendants before Justice C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court.

According to the EFCC, the pair face a seven-count charge bordering on cybercrime, conspiracy and stealing.

The commission alleged that Elia, who grew up in Ogbeifun’s household, had access to the woman’s mobile phones and banking information, which she allegedly used to transfer funds into an account belonging to Uzoma, her boyfriend.

“Investigation by the Commission revealed that Elia, who grew up in the house of the victim, had access to her phones and bank information and allegedly executed a transfer of the said sum from the victim’s account into that of Uzoma, her boyfriend,” the statement said.

The EFCC further alleged that the defendants converted the money to their personal use.

One of the charges accused Elia of using Ogbeifun’s Moniepoint personal banking application to transfer a total of N35,920,000 into an account operated by Uzoma at United Bank for Africa.

The alleged transactions reportedly occurred between March 8 and July 29, 2026, in Benin, Edo State.

The charge cited Section 33(2)(c) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them in court.

Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi, asked the court to schedule the case for trial and remand the defendants in a correctional facility.

Justice Obiozor subsequently ordered that Elia and Uzoma be remanded at the Benin Correctional Centre in Benin City.

The court adjourned the case until December 7 for hearing.