NIGERIA

Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum, has heaped praise on his side after they earned a place in the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Super Falcons qualified following a 0-0 draw against Republic of Ireland.

Waldrum’s side finished second in Group B behind co-hosts Australia who thrashed Canada four-nil.

The team remains unbeaten in the competition with one win and two draws from three games.

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Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi has entered the history books as the first African player to play in six World FIFA Cups after stepping onto the pitch in the side’s goalless draw against the Republic of Ireland.

Ebi replaced Oluwatosin Demehin in the eighty-fourh minute of the encounter.

The centre-back also featured at the 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu has expressed delight with the qualification of the Super Falcons to the round of sixteen of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Shorunmu stated that the Super Falcons played as team and got the deserved draw against Ireland.

Also, former Super Eagles coach, Austin Eguavoen has congratulated the Super Falcons after they qualified for the round of sixteen at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

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Former Nigerian international, Tijani Babangida says the Super Falcons are not afraid to face any tough opponent in the round of sixteen of the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Babangida stated that he was delighted with the performance of the Super Falcons at the tournament.

He reiterated that Nigeria can hold their own against any opponents and insisted that the team would aim for the trophy.

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Rangers are on the verge of completing a move for Emmanuel Ifeanyi.

Ifeanyi will be a direct replacement for the Flying Antelopes captain, Uche John who left the club for Rivers United.

The hard-fighting centre-back was spotted in training with Rangers last week.

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Federal Government has rallied behind the Nigerian women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, urging them to maintain their impressive performance and secure victory in the tournament.

D’Tigress exhibited their dominance by defeating Egypt 83-65 in their second Group D match on Sunday.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Ismaila Abubakar, conveyed his heartfelt congratulations and praised the team’s stellar performance since the beginning of the championship.

Abubakar, also lauded the officials of the ministry, the Nigeria Basketball Federation and the team’s technical crew for their unwavering commitment in realising the government’s sporting initiatives, policies and programmes.

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Junior Yellow Greens star, Solomon Chilemayan, is among the top performers at the just-concluded ICC men’s Under-nineteen Africa Division 1 Cricket World Cup qualifier in Tanzania, winning the best batter award.

Despite Nigeria’s underwhelming performance in Tanzania, Chilemayan was impressive and epitomised what coach Daniel Gim’s side could do during their forty-two runs win over the hosts.

Chilemayan’s award was something to cheer for Nigeria after the Junior Yellow Greens failed in their quest to pick the ticket for the U-19 World Cup, which will hold in Sri Lanka next year.

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WOMEN’S WORLD CUP.

Australia kept their Women’s World Cup dream alive as they advanced to the round of sixteen stage by thrashing Canada four-nil.

Hayley Raso scored twice, Mary Fowler was also on target and Steph Catley netted a late penalty as the co-hosts impressed in a game they had to win to avoid elimination.

The Matildas finished top of Group B – and did so without Sam Kerr, an unused sub despite declaring herself fit.

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The Republic of Ireland ended their first World Cup with a goalless draw with Nigeria, who progressed to the round of sixteen and could face England.

The result, coupled with Australia’s win over Canada, meant the Super Falcons, the lowest-ranked side in Group B, qualified in second place at the expense of the Olympic champions.

The Irish were already knocked out after defeats by Australia and Canada but collected their first point at a World Cup in their final match of the tournament.

Nigeria will face the winners of Group D in Brisbane, which could be England if they draw with or beat China on Tuesday.

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Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland coach, Vera Pauw says they will leave the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with their heads high following a battling goalless draw against Nigeria.

The European champions have nothing but pride to play for against the Super Falcons having lost their opening two games against Australia and Canada.

The English woman was delighted with the performance against Nigeria and in the previous games.

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Japan have showed why they are serious contenders at the Women’s World Cup by hammering Spain four-nil to finish top of Group C and book a last-16 showdown with Norway.

The 2011 world champions made it look easy by scoring three times before half-time, with Hinata Miyazawa getting two to take her tally to four goals and become the tournament’s leading scorer.

The attacking midfielder put Japan ahead with a calm finish after Spain’s defence had been exposed, before Riko Ueki doubled the lead with a deflected finish which looped into the net.

Miyazawa, who scored two in Japan’s opening group game against Zambia, made it three-nil by firing across goal and into the net, before Mina Tanaka added to Spain’s pain with a fourth goal in the eighty-two minute.

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England women manager, Sarina Wiegman has pledged the team is strong enough to navigate its way through the Women’s World Cup without midfielder, Keira Walsh.

Walsh, was taken off on a stretcher in the one-nil win over Denmark after suffering a knee injury.

Wiegman did not confirm if Walsh would play again in the tournament as England prepared to face China in their final Group D match on Tuesday.

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ENGLAND

Manchester United have agreed a ten year extension to their partnership with Adidas worth a minimum of nine hundred million pounds.

United’s new deal with the German kit manufacturer runs until June 2035, with their previous ten year deal having been worth seven hundred and fifty million pounds.

Meanwhile, Chelsea signed a nine hundred million pounds deal with Nike in 2016 but that covered a fifteen year period from 2017.

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Manchester United defender, Luke Shaw says the Treble-winning feats of Manchester City hurt everyone at Old Trafford and they cannot afford to let it happen again.

United failed in their attempt to stop City emulating their historic feat in 1999 when they were beaten by their local rivals in the FA Cup final.

Pep Guardiola’s side overcame Inter Milan in the Champions League final the following week, and the arrival of Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Kalvin Phillips into the England camp in the aftermath of their success merely drilled home the enormity of what had happened.

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Manchester City Treble hero, Rodri claimed that life changed with one swish of the boot in Istanbul.

Rodri scored the winner during a tense Champions League final against Inter seven weeks ago, etching his name into legend.

City arrived back home after their pre-season tour of Asia on Monday and Pep Guardiola’s players have been warned that they must now forget their exploits.

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Former Aston Villa striker, Gabby Agbonlahor has slammed Andre Onana following his outburst at Harry Maguire during Manchester United’s three-two defeat by Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas.

United’s new goalkeeper made his second appearance for the club, coming on for Tom Heaton just after half-time, with Erik ten Hag’s side a goal down following Donyell Malen’s quickfire brace.

At around forty-seven minutes into the match, the former Inter Milan goalkeeper became furious with his defender, who has been linked with a move away from the club, after giving away possession and allowing Dortmund’s attackers in on goal.

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s new goalkeeper, Andre Onana has warned Harry Maguire to stay focused at all times after the former Red Devils skipper nearly cost his side a goal with some sloppy defending during Manchester United’s three-two loss to Borussia Dortmund.

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Chelsea have agreed a fresh six-year deal in principle with Levi Colwill to keep him at Stamford Bridge until at least 2029.

Colwill stands to earn more than one hundred thousand pounds a-week on his new contract, which is expected to be finalised soon.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have re-opened talks with Juventus over the sale of Romelu Lukaku in a move that could see Dusan Vlahovic come to Stamford Bridge.

Juventus have floated the idea of Chelsea buying Vlahovic for a fee plus Lukaku and the Blues are keen on the proposition.

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Everton are close to agreeing a deal to sign teenage striker Youssef Chermiti from Sporting Lisbon.

Portugal youth international Chermiti, broke through at Sporting last season, scoring three league goals in twenty-one appearances in all competitions.

Everton face Sporting at Goodison Park in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday

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Liverpool defender, Virgil van Dijk has been named the new Liverpool captain with Trent Alexander-Arnold appointed vice captain as Jurgen Klopp appointed his successor to Jordan Henderson.

The Netherlands defender was expected to fill the void left by Henderson who conceded the armband by choosing to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq, after being lured to the Middle East and putting pen-to-paper on a staggering seven hundred thousand pounds per-week deal.

Van Dijk joined the Reds from Southampton in 2018 and has become one of the club’s top performers during a purple patch of success that saw the club win a first Premier League title and sixth Champions League trophy.

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Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has laughed off suggestions that the team is in talks with PSG over a stunning one-year loan move for wantaway forward Kylian Mbappe.

The Frenchman has twelve months remaining on his contract at Parc de Princes and has informed the Ligue one champions that he has no intention of extending his stay at the club.

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Brazil midfielder, Fabinho has completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad from Liverpool on a three-year deal.

Fabinho did not travel with the Reds to a recent training camp in Germany after the Saudi side made a forty million pounds bid for him.

He was also left out of the club’s current trip to Singapore as the move was finalised.

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Southampton expect a big week regarding Romeo Lavia with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United all targeting the midfielder.

Liverpool, armed with cash from the sales of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson would make an improved bid for Lavia.

The Reds saw their first approach of thirty-five million pounds plus add-ons turned down by Saints, with the Championship club wanting fifty million pounds.

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Tottenham are considering a move for Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson should the sale of Harry Kane go through.

All eyes will be focused on the summit between Bayern Munich executives, Jan-Christian Dreesen, Marco Neppe and Tottenham’s Daniel Levy in London, to see if they can reach accord on a fee for Kane.

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West Ham are expected to step up their efforts to sign Rennes left-back, Adrien Truffert and Monaco midfielder, Youssouf Fofana.

There has been growing frustration among fans over the lack of signings and hints at tension regarding the profile of players preferred by director of football Tim Steidten compared to those favoured by manager David Moyes.

Bids, considered to be under value, have gone in for Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse.

Talks have also been held over forty-five million pounds rated Scott McTominay, Edson Alvarez at Ajax, Bristol City’s Alex Scott and Ian Maatsen of Chelsea.

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Burnley are leading the race to sign Arsenal midfielder, Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan.

Burnley manager, Vincent Kompany is eager to reunite with Lokonga, who he managed at Anderlecht.

Lokonga had a loan spell at Crystal Palace in the second half of last season and played nine times but fell out of favour after Roy Hodgson returned as manager.

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Players and managers have been warned they face tougher punishments for poor behaviour at games.

The new penalties are part of a charter introduced by football’s authorities for the 2023-24 campaign.

Managers and coaches would also have to adhere to new rules covering the technical area.

The new measures state players must not confront, invade the personal space of, or make physical contact with the match officials.

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OTHER SPORTS

In Cricket; Stuart Broad ended his glittering career by bowling England to another dramatic victory in the fifth Test against Australia to leave a memorable Ashes series level at 2-2.

Broad, in his final Test before retiring, took the last two wickets as England bowled out the tourists for 334 to win by 49 runs in front of a raucous crowd at The Oval.

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In Rugby; Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit believes his best is yet to come as he aims to play in his first World Cup.

The 22-year-old made his international debut aged 19 in 2020 and has scored nine tries in 25 internationals.

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In Tennis; Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Germany’s Alexander Zverev claimed titles at their home opens on Sunday.

Women’s world number one Swiatek beat Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-0 6-1 in Warsaw to win the Poland Open.

Meanwhile, Zverev defeated Serbia’s Laslo Djere 7-5 6-3 in the final of the Hamburg Open.

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In Boxing; Leigh Wood will defend his WBA featherweight world title against Josh Warrington in Sheffield on Saturday, 7 October.

Wood, gained revenge on Mauricio Lara with a unanimous points decision to become a two-time world champion in his last bout in May.

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OTHER LEAGUES.

Bayern Munich are ready to smash their transfer record and bid eighty-five million pounds for Harry Kane.

Club executives Jan-Christian Dreesen and Marco Neppe flew into London for talks with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy on Monday.

And while a deal was not agreed, Bayern are preparing a third bid that eclipses the sixty-eight million pounds they paid for Lucas Hernandez in 2019.

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Serie A champions, Napoli have turned down an offer in the region of one hundred and forty million euros from Saudi Arabia Professional League club, Al Hilal for Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen is also not willing to make the move despite the Blue Waves offering him an extraordinary sixty million euros per season.

Al Hilal are also expected to return with an improved bid for the Napoli striker.

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

Never give up, never give in, and when the upper hand is ours, may we have the ability to handle the win with the dignity that we absorbed the loss….words from Doug Williams.