IN NIGERIA

Former Nigerian international, Friday Ekpo has hailed Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and head coach Justin Madugu for their nominations in the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards.

Ekpo, stated that their nominations are a testament to their excellent work for the Super Falcons.

Nnadozie, a standout performer in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations WAFCON, has been shortlisted for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while Madugu has earned a nomination for Women’s Coach of the Year.

Nnadozie’s nomination comes after a standout year for both club and country.

The global recognition adds to the long list of honours the Super Falcons have received since their WAFCON triumph.

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Super Falcons has maintained 36th position in the latest FIFA women’s world ranking.

The latest ranking was released on FIFA’s official website on Thursday.

While the Super Falcons remain the number one team in Africa, WAFCON 2024 runners-up Morocco are third on the continent and dropped to 64th spot in the world.

Banyana Banyana of South Africa maintained 54th place in the world and second in Africa.

Ghana’s Black Queens who claimed third place at the WAFCON dropped to 67th position in the global ranking.

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Super Falcons defender, Oluwatosin Demehin has been honoured with a chieftaincy title in Ondo State.

The title, Yeye Akeweje Ilaje was bestowed on the Galatasaray player by Oba of Bariga Kayode Aiyetiwa.

Demehin was recognised for her Immense contributions to the growth of the community, and youth development.

The centre-back took to the social media to thank the royal father, and also pledged his resolve to keep supporting the Ilaje community.

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Super Eagles star, Wilfred Ndidi has promised to bring success to Turkish Super Lig giants Besiktas.

Ndidi declared that he would help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side win silverware this season.

Besiktas confirmed that the defensive midfielder has passed the medical test.

Ndidi will put pen to paper on a three-year contract with the option of another year.

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Super Eagles star, Victor Osimhen has been omitted from Galatasaray’s squad for their opening league game of the season against Gaziantep.

Okan Buruk’s side will be away to the Falcons at the Gaziantep Stadium on Friday.

Osimhen completed his permanent transfer to Galatasaray from Serie A champions Napoli.

The Nigeria international is yet to attain full fitness after resuming late for pre-season training.

Nigeria’s Amy Okonkwo has her eyes firmly set on the WNBA after being named Most Valuable Player at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket for the second consecutive time.

The 28-year-old forward played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s successful title defence at the 2025 tournament, guiding D’Tigress to a fifth consecutive AfroBasket crown with a commanding 19-point performance in the final against Mali.

Now, Okonkwo says she wants more than continental accolades.

Nigerian international, Favour Akem has joined Egyptian Premier League Club, Al Ittihad on loan for the 2025/26 season.

The loan will afford Akem more game time, and experience.

The 21-year-old forward shone for Ceramica Cleopatra FC, last season, by providing five goals and four assists.

He joins another Nigerian, Isaac Saviour, John Okoye, at Al Ittihad.

Speaking after sealing the move Akem expressed his delight and hope for a wonderful campaign.

Head coach of Nigeria’s senior female cricket team, Leke Oyede, is working with two coaches from Zimbabwe ahead of the 2026 ICC Women’s World Cup Africa Qualifiers, which will take place in Namibia from 28th August to 7th September.

The Female Yellow Greens are intensifying their preparations at a closed camp in Lagos, where they are also expected to be joined by another South African coach before they depart for Namibia.

The team began training last month in Benin City, Edo State, with 22 players before Oyede dropped four ahead of the final lap in Lagos.

Quadri Aruna’s return to international action ended in disappointment as Sweden’s Truls Moregard breezed past the Nigerian star in straight sets on Thursday to advance to the Round of 16 at the 2025 WTT Yokohama.

The fifth seed needed just 18 minutes to dispatch Aruna 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-4) in the men’s singles Round of 32 at the BUNTAI Infinity Arena.

Fresh off reclaiming his position as Africa’s top-ranked player, Aruna entered the tie hoping to better his Round of 32 exit at the United States Grand Smash in July.

However, he struggled to find rhythm against Moregard, who seized control from the start and never looked back.

Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has revealed details of his sparring session with compatriot Kamaru Usman in Miami, describing it as his first training return after taking time off following his latest defeat.

The 36-year-old Nigerian-born New Zealand fighter has not competed since February, when he suffered a TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov, extending his losing streak to three fights.

However, Adesanya said he is ready to return to action after rediscovering his hunger during training.

Reigning African Games champion Chidi Okezie has declared his ambition to break Nigeria’s long-standing 400m national record as he continues a standout 2025 season.

The 31-year-old quarter-miler showcased his versatility at the just-concluded Athletics Federation of Nigeria National Trials, held at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, where he stormed to his first-ever national title in the men’s 200m, clocking a personal best time of 20.62s.

Okezie, who has been steadily building momentum this year, is setting his sights even higher as he prepares for the 2025 World Athletics Championships scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan.

IN ENGLAND

Former Manchester United midfielder, Scott McTominay has been nominated for the 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or award.

The Napoli and Scotland player was one of the 30 nominees for the prize, with the winner set to be announced on 22nd September.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele, is a leading contender for the prize following his dazzling campaign for Luis Enrique’s side, which resulted in Champions League glory in Munich.

Barcelona 18-year-old Lamine Yamal and Brazilian team-mate Raphinha are the strongest challengers after Hansi Flick’s side won La Liga last term.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri, the current holder of the award, misses out after missing the majority of last season with a knee injury but team-mate Erling Haaland is up for the prize.

Meanwhile, Arsenal pairs Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres are named, while Liverpool quartet Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, and Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer have been nominated.

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Five of England’s Euro 2025-winning squad have been nominated for the Women’s Ballon d’Or, awarded to the best female footballer of the year.

Captain Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton all make the list after the Lionesses successfully defended their title in Switzerland this summer.

Scotland’s Real Madrid midfielder Caroline Weir is also among the nominees.

Michelle Agyemang, one of England’s breakthrough stars, has been nominated for the Women’s Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best women’s footballer under twenty-one.

Chelsea and Netherlands midfielder Wieke Kaptein, is also on the list for the Women’s Kopa Trophy.

Hampton is also a nominee for the Women’s Yachine Trophy for the best goalkeeper.

Spain’s Aitana Bonmati, who has won the previous two awards, and Barcelona team-mate Alexia Putellas, who is also a two-time winner, are also nominated.

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Barcelona, Botafogo, Chelsea, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have been nominated for Men’s club of the year.

Napoli manager Antonio Conte, PSG manager Luis Enrique, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and Liverpool manager Arne Slot were nominated for the best male coach, whether at club or national level.

Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman, Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor and Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers have been nominated for Women’s Team Coach of the Year.

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Manchester United has agreed a deal worth seventy-three point seven million pounds with Red Bull Leipzig to sign Benjamin Sesko.

The agreement includes a guaranteed payment of sixty-six point three million pounds with the remainder in add-ons.

Sesko will now complete the formalities, including undergoing a medical on Friday, before finalising his move to Old Trafford.

United have already signed forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo this summer for a combined fee of about one hundred and thirty million pounds.

Sesko’s decision to move to Old Trafford was a further blow to Newcastle, who missed out on Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool and face seeing their main striker Alexander Isak potentially join him at Anfield.

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Chelsea is in talks with Manchester United over signing Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho.

The 21-year-old has been told to find a new club as United head coach Ruben Amorim believes he wants a new challenge.

Garnacho came close to joining Chelsea in January, with the player convinced a transfer would be agreed.

The deal was not completed but the feeling has persisted that the player would eventually end up at Stamford Bridge.

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Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca has refused to rule out the possibility of Nicolas Jackson leaving Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window.

Newcastle is reportedly interested in the 24-year-old forward, after Manchester United hijacked the Magpies’ bid to sign striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.

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Chelsea defender, Levi Colwill has had surgery on a serious knee injury and is expected to miss most of the season.

The 22-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury during his first training session after the Club World Cup, and has since had a scan and operation.

ACL injuries typically rule players out for between six and nine months.

Chelsea’s alternative defensive options are new signing Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah and Josh Acheampong

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West Ham has agreed a fee of about twenty million pounds with Leicester for goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

Talks had been on-going between the clubs over the Denmark international, and personal terms are not expected to be an issue, with the 25-year-old seen as a good fit for Graham Potter’s style.

A number of other Premier League and European clubs were interested in Hermansen, who impressed last season despite the Foxes’ relegation from the Premier League, but the Hammers were always in pole position to sign him.

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West Ham has confirmed that Michael Antonio will be leaving the club this summer as a free agent.

The Jamaican international has not played for the club since being involved in a serious car accident in December, which left him with a broken leg.

He has been out of contract since the end of June, with head coach Graham Potter confirming that he was not a part of his plans for the new season.

The Hammers appreciated Antonio’s contributions to the club and promised to continue to support and assist him in his ongoing rehabilitation.

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Tottenham midfielder, James Maddison has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and is expected to miss the majority of the forthcoming season.

Maddison is set to have surgery and will become a long-term absentee as he starts his recovery programme.

The 28-year-old suffered the injury in the pre-season draw against Newcastle in South Korea.

Manager Thomas Frank confirmed after the match that Maddison had injured the same knee that ruled him out of the Europa League final victory against Manchester United in May.

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Former Manchester United coach, Rene Meulensteen believes Cristiano Ronaldo will manage the Portugal national team in the future.

Meulensteen revealed that he thinks he should take the Portugal job where he would be an inspirational figure.

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Newcastle legend Alan Shearer says he is not happy with the club’s lack of activities in the summer transfer window.

Shearer criticized the Magpies’ inability to secure top targets, especially considering the contrasting seasons both clubs experienced.

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OTHER LEAGUES

Bayern Munich star Harry Kane scored a goal and missed a penalty against Tottenham Hotspur as the team won a pre-season friendly four-nil at the Allianz Arena.

The England striker controlled Michael Olise’s excellent long pass before slotting in Bayern’s opener.

Bayern completely dominated and scored three times in the final half an hour.

Tottenham’s 2025-26 season starts on Wednesday, 13th August with the Uefa Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain in Udine.

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Barcelona has stripped keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen of the club captaincy following disciplinary proceedings against the Germany international.

The 33-year-old, who last played when he turned out for his country in June, underwent a back operation at the end of July.

Barcelona said following the disciplinary proceedings opened against player Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and until this matter is definitively resolved, the club, by mutual agreement with the sporting direction and the coaching staff, has decided to temporarily withdraw his role as first-team captain.

The club added that during the period, the duties of the first captain would be assumed by the current vice-captain, Ronald Araujo.

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Al-Hilal has reached an agreement to sign Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez for forty-six point three million pounds

Nunez is now expected to have a medical before his move to the Saudi Pro League.

The 26-year-old Uruguay forward joined in June 2022 from Portuguese side Benfica for an initial fee of sixty-four million pounds.

Selling Nunez would financially boost the Reds’ chances of signing Newcastle striker Alexander Isak in this transfer window.

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Ghana international, Thomas Partey has joined La Liga club Villarreal following his release from Arsenal.

The 32-year-old, who signed for Arsenal in a forty-five million pounds deal from Atletico Madrid in 2020, left the Gunners when his contract expired at the end of June.

Villarreal said the club was aware that the player was currently involved in legal proceedings in England.

The club said the player firmly maintains his innocence and denies all charges against him.

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Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti believes the club has made the perfect decision to have appointed Cristiano Chivu as manager for the club.

Chivu, after a short spell in charge of Parma, was named Inter coach before the Club World Cup, having both played for the Nerazzurri and also worked as Primavera coach.

Zanetti stated that Chivu has what it takes to transform the team.

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OTHER SPORTS

In Tennis, Emma Raducanu says she is excited to be working with Rafael Nadal’s former coach Francis Roig as she prepares for this year’s US Open.

The 22-year-old had been working with British coach Mark Petchey on an informal basis since March and has now added Spaniard Roig to her team full-time.

Roig worked alongside Nadal’s uncle Toni from 2005 to 2022 and was part of all 22 of the Spaniard’s Grand Slam victories.

The British number one is playing in the Cincinnati Open for the first time since 2022 this week and will face either fellow Briton Katie Boulter or Serb Olga Danilovic in her opening match after receiving a first-round bye.

Roig has joined Raducanu for the WTA 1,000 event in Ohio, which is the last tournament before the final Grand Slam of the season begins in New York on 24th August.

Venus Williams rallied from 4-1 down in the first set but could not maintain momentum, the seven-time Grand Slam champion falling 6-4, 6-4 to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the first round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Thursday.

Williams, 45, was competing for the second time in three weeks after returning to the WTA tour in Washington in her first tournament in 16 months.

Williams won her first-round match in Washington before bowing out to Magdalena Frech in straight sets.

Bouzas Maneiro, ranked 51st, was thrilled by the sense of occasion on the opening day of the tournament, the last major tuneup prior to the 25th August start of the US Open.

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In Cricket, Northern Superchargers has claimed a commanding 47-run win as last year’s finalists Welsh Fire collapsed to 94 all out in The Hundred at Headingley.

After Superchargers posted 141-4 from their 100 balls, Fire quickly fell to 6-2 as openers Sophia Dunkley and Hayley Matthews departed.

Captain Tammy Beaumont briefly gave Fire hope, but when she was dismissed for 36 from 21 balls, the game was up and the visitors slumped to their lowest total in the women’s competition.

Australia all-rounder Georgia Wareham starred for Superchargers, hitting an unbeaten 29 from 17 balls in an unbroken stand of 52 with skipper Hollie Armitage, before taking 2-14 with her leg-spin and contributing to two runs out as well.

The margin of victory gives Superchargers a significant net run-rate boost – something that could prove important later in the competition.

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In Rugby, A broken hand has denied exciting talent Lucia Scott what Scotland head coach Bryan Easson predicted would be a huge Women’s Rugby World Cup for the 21-year-old.

The Loughborough Lightning full-back is the most notable absentee from the final 32-strong squad named by Easson for the competition that kicks-off in England later this month.

The Scotland boss was so disappointed for Scott, revealing that she has undergone surgery for an injury picked up in Saturday’s defeat by Ireland.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose…words from Andre Agassi.