IN NIGERIA

General Manager of Eynimba FC, Kanu Nwankwo, has inaugurated a family stand at the club’s stadium in Abia.

Kanu said the initiative aims to create and provide a welcome and inclusive environment, atmosphere for families to enjoy live football together.

He said the project was a testament to the club`s commitment to promoting football development and enhancing the overall fan experience.

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Chippa United assistant coach, Thabo September has revealed Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali could remain at the club beyond this summer.

Nwabali caught the eye with his impressive displays for Nigeria during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move away from the club.

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Serie A club Udinese have announced that Nigerian international Maduka Okoye has signed a contract extension with the club.

Okoye has been linked with a move to Inter Milan and Torino this summer.

The new contract will put an end to speculation surrounding his future.

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Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini is not happy with the timing of Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman’s transfer saga.

Lookman is leaning towards a move to Ligue 1 giants, Paris Saint-Germain.

The Nigeria international has reportedly agreed personal terms with Luis Enrique’s side.

Atalanta are also demanding forty million euros to sell the talented winger.

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ENGLAND

Everton have rejected a loan offer for striker Neal Maupay from Ligue 1 side Marseille.

Maupay is in the last twelve months of his contract at Goodison Park and is out of favour under boss Sean Dyche, netting just once for the Toffees since signing from Brighton in August 2022.

The Frenchman spent last season on loan at Brentford, where he scored eight goals in thirty-one appearances.

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Wolves have made an offer to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on a season-long loan deal.

The bid, which was submitted to Arsenal, includes an option to make the move permanent in 2025.

Ramsdale lost his Arsenal place in 2023 following the arrival of David Raya on loan from Brentford.

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Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton, has urged Brentford forward Ivan Toney to remain in the Premier League, and not to move to Saudi Arabia.

The Bees rejected a thirty-five million pounds bid for Toney from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli last week.

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Brazilian police have cleared Manchester United winger of domestic violence towards his ex-girlfriend.

Antony was accused by his former partner Gabriela Cavallin of offending, assaulting and threatening her, leading to the Sao Paulo police department conducting an investigation.

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OTHER LEAGUE

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has lodged a complaint with UEFA regarding Paris Saint-Germain’s alleged failure to pay him the money he was supposedly owed from his time at the Parc des Princes.

PSG could face a Champions League ban if found guilty of the allegations.

This summer, Mbappe joined Real Madrid on a free transfer from the French club, and it appears that his departure from his former team may not have been entirely amicable.

The player is rumoured to believe he was owed up to fifty-five million euros, potentially sparking a heated confrontation between him and PSG’s owners, Qatar Sports Investments.

OTHER SPORTS

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USA professional basketball players Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Edwards were tested for doping and other substances after the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympic Men’s Basketball Tournament final.

Narrating the team’s experience after winning the gold medal, Edwards, said their euphoria was short-lived, noting that they were called away for a post-game drug test.

Edwards explained that his brother Bobby inspired him to pursue a career in the sport.

In Tennis, World number one Jannik Sinner has been cleared of any wrongdoing after twice testing positive for a banned substance in March.

The Italian tested positive for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol – a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass – during Indian Wells.

A provisional suspension was automatically applied but, as Sinner challenged it successfully, he was able to keep playing.

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In Cricket, The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup will be moved from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates following civil unrest in the original host country.

The International Cricket Council, said in a statement, that the tournament will now be staged at two venues in the UAE – Dubai and Sharjah – between 3th to 20th October.

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Still on Cricket, Ollie Pope says England are still Ben Stokes’ team, despite the batter taking charge for the three-Test series against Sri Lanka.

Regular captain Stokes misses out after injuring his hamstring playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.

Pope will become England men’s 82nd Test captain in the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford on Wednesday, but Stokes is remaining with the squad throughout the series.

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In rugby, two Championship clubs have expressed their outrage and frustration over being excluded from this season’s Premiership Rugby Cup, calling the decision appalling and unfair.

The competition has been rejigged for the 2024-25 season with only ten of the twelve second-tier sides competing against the 10 Premiership clubs. Cambridge and newly-promoted Chinnor both miss out.

All Championship clubs were involved in the competition last season, marking the first time in eighteen years that Premiership sides faced lower-tier teams in a cup.

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In Golf, Gemma Dryburgh is hoping a good showing at this week’s Women’s Open at St Andrews can help her force her way into the European Solheim Cup team to take on the United States in Virginia next month.

The 31-year-old from Aberdeen helped Europe retain the trophy in Spain last year, earning half points in her two outings as the hosts recovered from 4-0 down to tie 14-14.

Dryburgh is out of contention for an automatic qualification spot and will need to hope for a captain’s pick from Suzanne Peterson.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning…words from Billie Jean King.