IN NIGERIA

Super Falcons head coach, Justine Madugu says his team wants to reclaim the title after reaching the final at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
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Madugu also assured that the players would not relent or take their eyes off the ball, stressing that the objective was to lift the trophy in Rabat on Saturday.

‎The Super Falcons will do battle with hosts Morocco at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat from on Saturday at 9.pm.
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It will be the fourth meeting between both countries at the WAFCON finals with two wins for Nigeria, and one for Morocco.

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Former Nigerian international, Dosu Joseph has warned the Super Falcons to prevent the Moroccans from dominating possession in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The Atlanta Olympic gold medalist advised the Super Falcons to dictate the pace of the game and ensure they take their goal-scoring chances.

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The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has named Namibia’s Antsino Twanyanyukwa as centre referee for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final between Nigeria and Morocco.

Antsino will make history as the first Namibian to officiate a WAFCON final.

Antsino officiated several key matches, impressing CAF’s Technical and Refereeing Committee with her ability to remain poised in high-pressure moments.

She will be joined by an elite team of assistants: Alice Umutesi from Rwanda as Assistant Referee 1, and Tabara Mbodji from Senegal as Assistant Referee 2,

The Video Assistant Referee team will be led by Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga, a pioneer in global football officiating, and one of the most respected figures in the women’s game.

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Atalanta is expecting a new offer from Inter Milan for Nigeria international Ademola Lookman.

La Dea rejected an initial bid from the Nerrazzuri last week.

Inter Milan offered to sign the talented winger on loan with an option to buy.

While Inter had been prepared to offer a transfer fee in the region of fifty million euros, Atalanta are seeking a fee closer to fifty million euros.

Lookman already has personal terms with the Serie A giants.

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Galatasaray head coach, Okan Buruk has confirmed that Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will have to undergo rigorous training to get back to his best.

The Nigerian international, who is expected to seal a permanent move to the Turkish giant, is yet to play in the three preseason friendly games played so far.

The win marked Galatasaray’s third consecutive preseason triumph, following earlier victories over Ümraniyespor and Admira Wacker.

The team is set to return to Istanbul, where they will host Strasbourg on 26th July and Lazio on 2nd August at RAMS Park in their final summer tune-ups.

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Chelsea defender, Tosin Adarabioyo has been honoured with a prestigious African Illustrious Award by My Media Africa.

The recognition follows his historic achievement as the first Nigerian to win the rebranded FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea Football Club.

The “Award of Excellence and Special Recognition as the First Nigerian to Win the Club World Cup” symbolises what is possible when talent, discipline, and opportunity converge.

Adarabioyo was present at the Lekki office of the award organisers to receive the award in person.

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President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod says in Abuja that Nigeria has the capacity to host global tournaments.

Nimrod said the Confederation of African Volleyball has confirmed Nigeria as the host of the 2025 CAVB Under 18 Boys and Girls Beach Volleyball Championship

The president said over 20 countries have shown interest in participating in the upcoming continental tournament.

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The 2025 WTT Contender Lagos main draw began on Thursday, with top-seeded players making early exits from the championship.

The five-day tournament is ongoing at Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Japan’s Hina Hayata, the top seed in the women’s category, suffered a shocking defeat on the opening day of the $100,000 tournament.

The day thrilled spectators with intense rallies and high-level play as several top seeds began their campaigns.

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A contingent of 60 student-athletes has departed Nigeria for Annaba, Algeria, to compete in the inaugural African School Sports Championship.

Special Assistant, Media, Office of the Director-General, National Sports Commission, Kola Daniel, made this known in a news release on Thursday.

According to him, the competition will take place from 26th July to 5th August.

He said Nigeria would feature in 10 sports, including athletics, swimming, football, taekwondo and beach canoe.

Daniel said Nigeria would also feature in Badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, cycling and table tennis.

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Nigerian boxing sensation Elizabeth Oshoba has issued a confident statement ahead of her featherweight bout against American Melissa Parker.

The Ogun State-born boxer said she’s more prepared than ever for the 22nd August showdown in Orlando, Florida.

The undefeated WBC Silver and IBO International Featherweight champion, who boasts a perfect 9-0 record with five knockouts, will face Parker (6-3-1, 2KOs) in what promises to be a crucial step in her quest for world title unification.

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Mariam Aruna, the daughter of Nigerian table tennis star Quadri Aruna, is set to make her debut for the country at the ITTF Africa Youth Championships, which will be held from Sunday, 27th July to Sunday, 3rd August at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

The young Aruna is listed in the Nigeria U-15 girls team, which also has Fatimoh Ahmed, Chinenye Okafor and Aziza Sezuo.

They will battle against other girls from 10 other countries, including Egypt, Tunisia, Uganda and South Africa.

Ahead of the tournament, the 12-year-old, who is coached by her mother, Ganiyat Aruna, made her WTT Contender debut in Lagos.

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IN ENGLAND

Arsenal say they have secured one of the strongest young defenders in European football after completing the signing of Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia for an initial fee in the region of thirteen million pounds.

The team’s manager Mikel Arteta described Mosquera as a player with exciting talent and enormous potential while sporting director Andrea Berta hailed the defender’s long-term prospects.

The 21-year-old joined the Gunners on a five-year contract, which has an option for a further twelve months.

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Arsenal midfielder, Declan Rice says he did not like the reaction online from some fans about the signing of Noni Madueke from Chelsea, but backed the winger to shock with his talent.

Madueke joined for an initial forty-eight point five million pounds last week as Arsenal look to increase their attacking options.

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Wolves has signed Colombia international Jhon Arias from Fluminense for an initial fifteen million pounds.

The deal includes a further four million pounds in add-ons, which includes European qualification.

The 27-year-old winger moves to Molineux on a four-year deal with the option of a further twelve months.

He will take the number ten shirt left by Matheus Cunha after his sixty-two points five million pounds move to Manchester United last month.

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Newcastle star Alexander Isak wants to explore his options for a move away from Newcastle this summer after missing their pre-season tour of Asia.

The club has selected a thirty-man squad, but said the Sweden striker misses out with a minor thigh injury.

It is understood some of Europe’s top clubs have been aware Isak has been looking to take the next step in his career.

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Crystal Palace has confirmed that New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has completed his purchase of John Textor’s forty-three percent stake in the club.

Johnson has bought the shareholding of Eagle Football Holdings, the multi-club company owned by Textor in a deal believed to be worth close to one hundred and ninety million pounds.

The 78-year-old American signed the Premier League’s owners’ charter after joining chairman Steve Parish, Josh Harris and David Blitzer as a partner and director of Crystal Palace.

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West Ham is in talks with free agent Callum Wilson, who left Newcastle after his contract expired at the end of June.

The England striker scored forty-nine goals in one hundred and thirty appearances for the Magpies but announced his departure after failing to agree to a new deal.

Wilson is understood to have attracted interest from Premier League clubs and also has options in Major League Soccer.

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Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount says qualifying for Europe is the focus for the team this season.

The 2025-26 campaign will be only the second season without European football for United since English clubs were banned by Uefa in the 1980s following the Heysel stadium tragedy.

Their 15th-place league finish last season and Europa League final defeat by Tottenham meant there will be no European matches at Old Trafford for the first time since 14-15.

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Leicester City boss, Marti Cifuentes says he wants the team playing fearless football once more as he tries to return the club to the Premier League at the first attempt.

The 43-year-old Spaniard spent much of his first week at the helm of the Foxes bunkered down with his players in Austria on their pre-season camp.

The former Queens Park Rangers head coach described it as intense but useful days together as he attempts to quickly get the Foxes up to speed with his philosophy and approach to the game with less than three weeks remaining until the Championship season kicks off.

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Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham says there is not any need to extend the use of the video assistant referee system, because there are enough interruptions to the game in the current model”.

There has been speculation that the International FA Board which governs football’s laws, could be asked to consider widening video assistant referee powers to include corner kicks and second yellow cards.

The FA, which has a seat on the body alongside the three other British associations and Fifa – has now made its opposition clear.

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Former Manchester United striker, Javier Hernandez says he deeply regrets making the sexist remarks that led to him being fined and warned about his future conduct.

The Mexican Football Federation said the 37-year-old, now with Liga MX side Chivas, made a series of statements on TikTok promoting sexist stereotypes that are considered media violence and go against gender equality in sport.

In an apology posted on Instagram on Thursday, he said it was never his intention to hurt or divide.

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Football Association chief executive, Mark Bullingham says England women manager Sarina Wiegman is not for sale at any price.

Wiegman is the only manager in the men’s or women’s game to have reached the final at all five major tournaments she has coached in.

She led the Netherlands to the Euro 2017 title and the World Cup final in 2019, before doing the same with England at Euro 2022, and the 2023 World Cup.

The 55-year-old is seeking to become the third manager to win three consecutive women’s Euros titles after Germany duo Gero Bisanz and Tina Theune.

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OTHER LEAGUES

Barcelona has cancelled Sunday’s pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo because of serious contractual breaches by the promoter.

The trip to Japan formed the initial part of their Asian tour, and they said the second leg in South Korea is also at risk of suspension.

Barcelona has not identified the promoter but named Yasuda Group when first announcing the tour.

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The Ecuadorian international defender, Pervis Estupinan has joined Italian side AC Milan from Brighton in a deal worth seventeen million pounds including add-ons on a deal until 2030.

The defender has been a regular for Brighton since joining the club from Villarreal in 2022, scoring five goals in one hundred and four games.

Estupinan was part of the squad that qualified for European football for the first time in their history in 2023 before they were knocked out of the Europa League by Roma in the last-16.

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OTHER SPORTS

In Boxing; Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis believes Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury owe it to the British public to finally face each other in what would be the biggest heavyweight fight in British boxing history.

Lewis, who was in London for last Saturday night’s undisputed championship between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, said it would be a travesty if the two British heavyweights never fought each other.

The 59-year-old, who became undisputed heavyweight champion when he beat Evander Holyfield in 1999, believes Fury should return to face Joshua rather than pursue a third fight with Usyk.

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In Tennis, Britain’s Emma Raducanu is through to the quarter-finals of the Washington Open after beating four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka in straight sets.

After previously upsetting Ukrainian seventh seed Marta Kostyuk in round one, the 22-year-old produced a dominant performance to overcome former world number one Osaka 6-4, 6-2.

The 2021 US Open women’s singles champion will face wildcard Maria Sakkari in the last eight after the Greek player knocked out American second seed Emma Navarro.

Raducanu will also replace Katie Boulter, who lost to Sakkari in the first round, as British number one when the WTA rankings are updated on Monday.

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Meanwhile, in the men’s singles, Britons Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans were eliminated in the last sixteen.

British number two Norrie lost to 14th seed Brandon Nakashima 7-6, 6-3.

After a tight first set which was decided by a tie-break, American Nakashima twice broke Norrie’s serve in the second to reach the quarter-finals.

Evans, who won the tournament in 2023, fought back from 5-3 down and saved a match point to force a tie-break in the second set against Corentin Moutet but the Frenchman prevailed in straight sets, winning 6-2, 7-6.

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In Formula one, Max Verstappen says Christian Horner’s removal as Red Bull team principal has no impact on the decision about his own future.

Horner was sacked three days after the British Grand Prix, and has been replaced by Frenchman Laurent Mekies, formerly boss of second team Racing Bulls.

The four-time champion also appeared to hint he would stay at Red Bull beyond this season.

Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until 2028, but has mechanisms in his contract that could allow him to leave in particular circumstances, the details of which are not public and are being courted by Mercedes.

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In Cricket, Ben Stokes’ first five-wicket haul in eight years and a dizzying opening partnership gave England much the better of the second day of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford.

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett flayed some wayward India bowling at a rate of more than five and over in their stand of one hundred and sixty-six, taking a huge chunk out of the tourists’ three hundred and fifty-eight.

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In Cycling, Tadej Pogacar took a huge step towards winning his fourth Tour de France by racing clear of rival Jonas Vingegaard on the mighty Col de la Loze, as Ben O’Connor claimed victory on stage eighteen.

Pogacar, powered clear of his closest rival in the final five hundred metres to extend his overall lead over two-time champion Vingegaard to four minutes and twenty-six seconds with just three stages left.

He crossed the line one minute and forty-five seconds behind Australian O’Connor, who went solo with sixteen kilometres remaining.

Vingegaard was third over the line, followed closely by Britain’s Oscar Onley, now just twenty-two seconds behind Florian Lipowitz in the final general classification podium place following an outstanding ride.

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In Athletics, Olympic eight hundred metres champion Keely Hodgkinson will make her long-awaited return from injury at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting on 20th August.

The 23-year-old Briton has not raced competitively since winning gold in Paris last August after suffering a hamstring tear in February.

After a minor setback led to her withdrawing from Diamond League meetings in Stockholm and London, Hodgkinson is set to make her comeback just a month before the start of the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo.

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In Rugby, Former wing Ugo Monye says Garry Ringrose’s withdrawal from the British and Irish Lions team to face Australia in Saturday’s second Test shows how seriously current players take concussion.

Ringrose was initially named at the outside centre to face the Wallabies, but informed head coach Andy Farrell after training on Thursday that he was feeling lingering symptoms of a head injury suffered in the win over the ACT Brumbies on 9th July.

Ringrose was replaced at the outside centre by Scotland’s Huw Jones in a late rejig of the plans.

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In Golf, Lottie Woad has marked her professional debut by outscoring big names Nelly Korda and Minjee Lee to share second place on the opening day of the Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.

The former amateur world number one from Surrey had held top spot on her own after six birdies in 14 holes, including almost holing her tee shot at the short 11th.

But her only bogey of the day at the par-four 17th dropped Woad back alongside Ireland’s Leona Maguire, herself a former number one-ranked amateur Japan’s Rio Takeda and Spaniard Nuria Iturrioz, who all shot five under-par sixty-seven.

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The headscarf-wearing icon of the world of professional wrestling, Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 71, Florida police and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) said on Thursday.

In Clearwater, Florida, authorities responded to a call on Thursday morning about a cardiac arrest. Hogan was pronounced dead at a hospital, police said in a statement on Facebook.

Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was arguably the biggest start in WWE’s long history.

He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

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FOOD FOR 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 in the loss….words from Doug Williams.