Ugandan Olympian athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei has died four days after she was severely burned by her partner over an alleged land dispute.

The 33-year-old marathon runner was taken to the hospital in Kenya after she was doused in petrol by her boyfriend on Sunday, police said.

The Ugandan Athletics Federation posted on X: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence.

“As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”

Uganda’s Olympic Committee chief, Donald Rukare added: “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 great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”

Acting director of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Dr Owen Menach, while speaking to Kenyan news outlet, The Star, said, “we lost her after all her organs failed” on Wednesday night.

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said on Monday that Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, bought a can of petrol, poured it on her and set her on fire during the disagreement.

Ndiema also sustained burn wounds and was admitted to the same hospital, police said.

Super Eagles interim manager, Austin Eguavoen says the Super Eagles have all it takes to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to hold in Morocco.

Nigeria is in Group D alongside Benin Republic, Rwanda and Libya.

Eguavoen who spoke with NFF TV ahead of Saturday’s 2025 AFCON qualifying match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Uyo, said he was optimistic that the Super Eagles would scale through.

“Nigeria is a nation, in terms of football, alot of countries respect and the 2025 AFCON Qualifier is no different.

“I am very confident that we will scale through these two games and beyond.

“We have the materials, players, personnel and support. We have everything,” he said.

He said that there was a need to remind the players of their achievement at the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire where they finished as runners-up in the tournament.

He also called on Nigerians to rally round the team to ensure it began its campaign on a bright note.

“The only thing we have to remind these players about is that they were almost African champions a few months ago; it’s not even up to a year yet.

“So, what went wrong? It is still the same players. We will do everything we have to do as the technical crew and of course, the federation.

“Nigerians will also rally round them, but they (the players) are the ones whose duty it is to turn the table around.

“I have spoken to them and we will still be having some series of meetings before the game proper and I am very confident that they will go out there and make the nation proud,” he said.

Eguavoen, however, cautioned that it was very important for the Super Eagles to respect every opponent in the qualifier as they were no minnows in football any more.

“We will treat our opponents with utmost respect, no doubt about that, because in football, if you disrespect or look down on any team, then you will have problems.

“So, we will play them with great respect, but this is our home and we have no choice but to ensure we begin our AFCON qualifying campaign with a victory on Saturday,” Eguavoen said.

After Saturday’s encounter, the Super Eagles are scheduled to fly to Kigali on Sunday for Tuesday’s Matchday 2 clash with the Amavubi of Rwanda.

European football body (UEFA) has released the men and women list for the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees.

The list was revealed in a tweet on Ballon d’Or’s on their Official X page on Wednesday.

Below is the full list of the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees

Men’s nominees

Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid)

Ruben Dias (Portugal and Manchester City)

Phil Foden (England and Manchester City)

Federico Valverde (Uruguay and Real Madrid)

Emiliano Martinez (Argentina and Aston Villa)

Cole Palmer (England and Chelsea)

Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester City)

Ademola Lookman (Nigeria and Atalanta)

Nico Williams (Spain and Athletic Bilbao)

Granit Xhaka (Switzerland and Bayer Leverkusen)

Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine and Roma)

Toni Kroos (former Germany and Real Madrid)

Vinicius Jr (Brazil and Real Madrid)

Dani Olmo (Spain and Barcelona)

Florian Wirtz (Germany and Bayer Leverkusen)

Martin Odegaard (Norway and Arsenal)

Mats Hummels (Germany, free agent)

Rodri (Spain and Manchester City)

Harry Kane (England and Bayern Munich)

Declan Rice (England and Arsenal)

Vitinha (Portugal and Paris St-Germain)

Dani Carvajal (Spain and Real Madrid)

Lamine Yamal (Spain and Barcelona)

Bukayo Saka (England and Arsenal)

Hakan Calhanoglu (Turkey and Inter Milan)

William Saliba (France and Arsenal)

Kylian Mbappe (France and Real Madrid)

Lautaro Martinez (Argentina and Inter Milan)

Antonio Rudiger (Germany and Real Madrid)

Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain and Bayer Leverkusen).

Women nominees

Aitana Bonmati (Spain and Barcelona)

Barbra Banda (Zambia and Orlando Pride)

Tarciane (Brazil and Houston Dash)

Lauren Hemp (England and Manchester City)

Trinity Rodman (United States and Washington Spirit)

Ada Hegerberg (Norway and Lyon)

Manuela Giugliano (Italy and Roma)

Mallory Swanson (United States and Chicago Red Stars)

Glodis Viggosdottir (Iceland and Bayern Munich)

Mariona Caldentey (Spain and Arsenal)

Lauren James (England and Chelsea)

Lea Schuller (Germany and Bayern Munich)

Patricia Guijarro (Spain and Barcelona)

Gabi Portilho (Brazil and Corinthians)

Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi and Lyon)

Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway and Barcelona)

Lindsey Horan (United States and Lyon)

Sjoeke Nusken (Germany and Chelsea)

Yui Hasegawa (Japan and Manchester City)

Lucy Bronze (England and Chelsea)

Salma Paralluelo (Spain and Barcelona)

Giulia Gwinn (Germany and Bayern Munich)

Khadija Shaw (Jamaica and Manchester City)

Grace Geyoro (France and Paris St-Germain)

Alexia Putellas (Spain and Barcelona)

Sophia Smith (United States and Portland Thorns)

Ewa Pajor (Poland and Barcelona)

Alyssa Naeher (United States and Chicago Red Stars)

Mayra Ramirez (Colombia and Chelsea)

Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France and Paris St-Germain)

Kopa Trophy nominees

Pau Cubarsi – (Spain and Barcelona)

Alejandro Garnacho – (Argentina and Manchester United)

Lamine Yamal – (Spain and Barcelona)

Arda Guler – (Turkey and Real Madrid)

Karim Konate – (Cote d’Ivoire and Salzburg)

Kobbie Mainoo – (England and Manchester United)

Joao Neyes – (Portugal and PSG)

Savinho Oliveira – (Brazil and Manchester City)

Mathys Tel – (France and Bayern Munich)

Warren Zaire-Emery – (France and PSG)