NIGERIA

Ahead of the Super Falcons’ Thursday clash with Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, President Bola Tinubu is confident of victory for the Nigerian side.

Tinubu firmly believes that the upcoming match will be a thrilling encounter that will culminate in victory for the Nigerian team.

He also acknowledged the Super Falcons’ remarkable achievements as a dominant force in women’s football in Africa.

The President, through his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, conveyed his best wishes for the Super Falcons as they prepare to face the Aussies.

The match against co-hosts Australia, slated for 11am, is considered to be a crucial and tricky game.

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Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum, says his players will only focus on their group matches at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Waldrum said this at the pre-match news briefing ahead of the Super Falcons’ second group game against co-host, Australia at the Lang Park in Brisbane/Meaanjin.

Nigeria and Australia will meet on Thursday in what is one of the most-anticipated clashes of the group stage at the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

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The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, has charged the new Nigeria Professional Football League board members to reposition the league.

Gusau reminded the board that their appointment is based on their track record of success, which must be replicated in the league.

The Board members are Gbenga Elegbeleye as Chairman, Messrs Dominic Iorfa and Daniel Amokachi, Dr Okey Kpalakwu, Suleiman Umar, Barrister Poubeni Ogun, and Muhammed Nasiru Sa’idu.

Others are Prince Davidson Owumi as Chief Operating Officer and Barrister Ibrahim Danlami as Secretary/Legal Adviser.

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In a bid to intensify their preparations for the upcoming Nigeria Professional Football League season, Sporting Lagos have opened a training camp in Ijebu Ode.

Sporting Lagos secured promotion to the top flight after finishing second in the Southern Conference group of the Nigeria National League.

The Paul Offor-tutored side have continued to make statements with the recruitment of former NPFL top scorer Junior Lokosa and ex-Warri Wolves captain Ekene Olisema.

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IN WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Captain Lindsey Horan came to the rescue of defending champions the United States after the Netherlands had threatened an upset at the Women’s World Cup.

New Manchester City signing Jill Roord put the Dutch on course for a famous win after a clinical finish from the edge of the box.

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Canada fought back from a goal down to beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1 and knock the debutantes out of the Women’s World Cup.

Irish captain Katie McCabe scored the Republic’s first World Cup goal when her superb corner flew into the net after just four minutes.

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Spain coach Jorge Vilda has warned there is more to come from his side after they thrashed Zambia to progress to the last 16 of the Fifa Women’s World Cup with a game to spare.

Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo both scored twice as the Spanish secured a second successive win at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

Spain have scored eight goals so far without reply, underlining their credentials as potential World Cup winners, but Vilda insists his side can play even better.

Spain plays Japan on Monday, in a game that will decide the Group C winner,

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It is a recreation of the 2019 Women’s World Cup final as USA face the Netherlands in one of the most eye-catching clashes of the group stages in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday.

The USA triumphed two-nil four years ago and this reunion is likely to determine who finishes top of Group E.

Meanwhile, Portugal take on Vietnam in the group’s other game, while co-hosts Australia look to secure their second win as they face Nigeria in Group B.

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Japan have qualified for the Fifa Women’s World Cup round of 16 after their routine win over Costa Rica was followed by Spain beating Zambia to ensure both progressed from Group C.

Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino both scored in the space of three first-half minutes to ease the 2011 champions to three points.

Japan and Spain, who are the first sides to qualify, both have six points in Group C and will face off for top spot.

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Argentina women forward Yamila Rodriguez says having a tattoo of Cristiano Ronaldo on her leg does not mean she is anti-Lionel Messi.

Rodriguez, has received criticism on social media, with fans claiming the artwork is disrespectful to Argentina star Messi.

Rodriguez, who also has a tattoo of Argentina legend and former World Cup-winning captain Diego Maradona on her thigh, has called for fans to be more open-minded.

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ENGLAND

Arsenal rounded off their pre-season tour of the United States with a thrilling and rare 5-3 victory over Barcelona achieved without Declan Rice.

The Gunners’ £105million club-record signing was a surprise omission from Mikel Arteta’s squad to face the reigning LaLiga champions in their high-profile final US friendly in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, with no reason initially given for his absence.

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Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham scored his first goal and was named man of the match in a 2-0 win over Manchester United in a pre-season friendly in Houston, Texas.

The 20-year-old England midfielder, playing just his second game since an £88m move to the Spanish champions, produced a delicate lob in the sixth minute to beat United’s debutant keeper Andre Onana.

Joselu sealed the win two minutes from time in front of a 67,801 crowd at the NRG Stadium.

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The British billionaire owner of Premier League side Tottenham, Joe Lewis, has been arrested ahead of a court appearance in New York on insider trading charges.

The 86-year-old Bahamas-based Lewis surrendered voluntarily after traveling to the United States to answer the charges.

Lewis is accused of furnishing employees and lovers with inside information for years in a “brazen” scheme that raked in millions of dollars.

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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says Richarlison has “all the attributes” he wants in a striker after the Brazilian scored a pre-season hat-trick.

Spurs beat Lion City Sailors 5-1 at Singapore National Stadium to finish their tour of Asia with a victory.

Richarlison was a second-half substitute and scored two goals within eight minutes before claiming a third in stoppage time.

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Jordan Henderson has confirmed he is leaving Liverpool after 12 years, before an expected move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.

The 33-year-old midfielder looks set for the Saudi Pro League in a deal worth £12m plus add-ons.

Henderson captained Liverpool to their first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020.

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Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola says the talent at the club’s academy is “exceptional” after his side beat Bayern Munich two-one in Tokyo.

Midfielder James McAtee, opened the scoring in the first half following good work from Rico Lewis.

Mathys Tel equalised for Bayern on eighty-one minutes before Aymeric Laporte restored City’s lead five minutes later.

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Tottenham have accepted a twelve point nine million pounds bid for Davinson Sanchez from Spartak Moscow, but the defender is reluctant to join the Russian side.

The Colombia centre-back has made 205 appearances for Spurs since joining them for forty-two million pounds from Ajax in 2017.

The player is currently with Tottenham on their pre-season Asia-Pacific tour.

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The extension to Liverpool’s Anfield Road Stand will not be ready for the club’s opening home game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth on 19 August.

Construction began in 2021 to add seven thousand seats and increase the stadium’s capacity to sixty-one thousand.

The entirety of the current stand will stay open during the remainder of its development, as it did last season.

Liverpool start their season away at Chelsea thirteenth August.

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Arsenal midfielder, Declan Rice says he wants to be judged on the trophies he wins after his one hundred million pounds move to the team.

He captained West Ham to their first silverware in forty-three years when they won the Europa Conference League last term.

Arsenal were second last season behind Manchester City, despite leading for most of the Premier League campaign.

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Brighton have signed Brazilian centre-back Igor Julio from Fiorentina for fourteen point five million pounds

The player agreed a four-year contract with the Seagulls.

Manager Roberto de Zerbi turned his attention to Igor after being priced out of a deal for Chelsea’s England Under-21 international Levi Colwill.

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Wrexham beat ten man Manchester United three-one but the newly promoted League Two club’s victory was overshadowed by an injury to talisman Paul Mullin.

Mullin, suffered a punctured lung in a collision with goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, part of a United side mostly comprised of Under-21 players.

Boss Phil Parkinson subsequently warned Bishop to “steer clear” of Wrexham following the “reckless” challenge.

Goals from Elliot Lee, Aaron Hayden and Sam Dalby sealed Wrexham’s victory.

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Real Betis have signed former Sevilla and Real Madrid midfielder Isco on a one-year contract.

He has been a free agent since December when Sevilla terminated his contract four months after joining.

The 31-year-old has 38 Spain caps, the last coming in 2019, and scored one goal in 19 games for the La Liga club.

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OTHER SPORTS

Australian teenager Mollie O’Callaghan has broken the women’s 200m freestyle world record, which had stood since the performance-enhancing bodysuit era, at the World Aquatics Championships.

O’Callaghan, 19, clocked one minute 52.85 seconds, taking 0.13 secs off Federica Pellegrini’s previous record.

O’Callaghan beat compatriot Ariarne Titmus to gold by 0.16 seconds.

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In Cricket; Jofra Archer is “on course” to help England defend their 50-over World Cup trophy in October.

The fast bowler starred in England’s win on home soil four years ago, before playing a key role in the Ashes series with Australia later that summer.

Archer, 28, has suffered with injuries since, having several elbow operations and a stress fracture of the back.

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In Rugby; Glasgow Warriors flanker Rory Darge will captain Scotland for the first time as they take on Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The 23-year-old only earned the first of his seven caps last year – against Wales in the Six Nations.

But he previously led the Scottish team during the Under-20 Six Nations three years ago.

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OTHER LEAGUES.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has refused to meet officials from Al Hilal, dealing a potentially fatal blow to the Saudis’ ambitious hopes of completing a world record $333 million swoop.

The French star has refused “any discussion with the representatives of the Al-Hilal club, present in Paris.

According to the report, a delegation from the Saudi club came to Paris to finalise the transfer of Brazilian Malcom from Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Lionel Messi has scored twice and assisted once on his first start for Inter Miami in a 4-0 win over Atlanta United.

The Argentina star, scored two inside the opening 22 minutes before setting up team-mate Robert Taylor in the second half.

After netting his second, Messi celebrated by pointing at Inter Miami owner David Beckham.

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British and Swiss footballers playing in Italy now have the same status as citizens of the European Union.

In a short statement, the country’s football federation announced the decision had been made, saying the ruling “will apply as of the 2023/24 season” which formally began at the start of July.

It says the decision to change those players’ status came after a request from Serie A clubs.

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

It is not about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward… Words from Sylvester Stallone.