IN ENGLAND
=====================

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior’s winning run to begin his reign at Chelsea came to an abrupt end as the Blues threw away a two-goal lead against Leeds United at Stamford Bridge.

The hosts had a two-goal cushion through to efforts either side of half-time from Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer.

They conspired to throw it away, first by gifting Leeds a route back into the match when Moises Caicedo brought down Jayden Bogle to allow Lukas Nmecha to convert from the spot.

The equaliser came via calamitous defending, with Josh Acheampong, Malo Gusto and Robert Sanchez failing to clear a ball over the top, allowing Noah Okafor to poke home an equaliser.

Leeds leapfrog Tottenham into 15th place, six points above the relegation zone.
==================

Brazilian teenager Rayan has continued his blistering start to life in the Premier League as Bournemouth came from behind to defeat 10-man Everton two-one at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Rayan scored for a second game in a row to cancel out Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half penalty, before Amine Adli put Bournemouth ahead less than four minutes later.

Victory extends Bournemouth’s unbeaten run to six Premier Legue games, whereas Everton are now winless in their last five home league matches.
====================

Newcastle United star Jacob Ramsey fired the team to a rare away win to give head coach Eddie Howe a timely boost and keep the pressure on Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank.

Newcastle, who lined up without a recognised striker, took the lead through an unlikely scorer in defender Malick Thiaw in first-half stoppage time.

Tottenham’s only goal was scored by Archie Gray.

Newcastle held out to win just their third league game on the road this season and move up to 10th, while Spurs slip to 16th.
====================

Liverpool boss, Arne Slot says this season is the toughest he has had as a manager by a mile and his side are not performing to Liverpool’s standards.

Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as Reds boss in June 2024 and led the club to a record-equalling 20th top-flight title in his first season in charge.

Liverpool won eleven, drawn six and lost eight games in the league so far in 2025-26.

The Dutchman suggested his side will have to be close to perfection to secure Champions League football next season and he was aware of the impact of missing out.
Liverpool travel to face Sunderland who are unbeaten at home on Wednesday.
====================

Crystal Palace manager, Oliver Glasner says the knee injury which scuppered Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move to AC Milan last month is not as bad as feared and he will not need surgery.

The 28-year-old has been carrying the injury during the first half of the season but Glasner said several specialists and doctors have played down its severity.

Glasner could not confirm when Mateta will return to training, but added he would be committed to the Eagles and warmly welcomed back when fit again.

Palace, who are 13th in the Premier League, host 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.
====================

IN NIGERIA
====================

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has disclosed that he prepared to play anywhere after leaving South Africa’s Chippa United.

The 29-year-old free agent, whose profile soared after impressive AFCON performances, stated that there are no restrictions, and his priority was a project that brings happiness.

The Nigerian international has been linked with several clubs, including South African giants Kaizer Chiefs, Moroccan outfit Raja Club Athletic, Saudi side Al-Ettifaq, a potential switch to the Rwandan league, and English Championship club Queens Park Rangers.
====================

Former Nigerian international, Godwin Okpara has backed Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman’s decision to join Atletico Madrid.

Okpara stated that the Nigerian international made the perfect decision to join Atletico Madrid over Fenerbahce.
====================

Nigeria’s Falconets head coach, Moses Aduku says the team remains confident of defeating hosts Senegal on Saturday, despite the absence of leading striker Janet Akekoromowei, in the FIFA Under-twenty Women’s World Cup third-round, second-leg clash.

Aduku noted that the team would defend resolutely, attack with purpose, and approach the match with focus and determination.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football has appointed officials from the Kingdom of Morocco to take charge of the second leg match.

Zakia El Grini will be the referee, to be assisted by Karima Khadiri and Ihsane Nouajli, with Zoulaikha Harmasse as the fourth official.

Oumou Kane from Mauritania will be the commissioner while Kenyan Alice Kimani will be in the role of referee assessor.

The match has been slated to kick off at 6pm, with the winner on aggregate to progress to the final round of the African qualifiers.
==================

Nasarawa United head coach, Moga Stephen is seeking the support of the home fans following the team’s recent poor run of form.

The Solid Miners are without a win in their Nigeria Premier Football League three games.

Mbwas Mangut’s side were held to a one-all draw by Bayelsa United in a matchday 25 fixture at the Lafia Township Stadium.

Nasarawa United occupy third position on the league table with forty-one points from twenty-five matches.
===================

Coach Bashir Sale has taken temporary charge of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi following the resignation of the club’s Technical Adviser, Abdul Maikaba.

Sale was Maikaba’s immediate assistant and, in order of hierarchy, is next in line within the club’s technical department.

He will supervise the technical affairs of the Giant Elephants pending the appointment of a substantive Head Coach.
===================

Bayelsa United Head Coach,
Meremu Okara, says the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League season remains wide open, both at the top and at the bottom of the table.

Okara believes that with thirteen matches still left in the regular season, anything remains possible.

The Restoration Boys currently sit 16th on the NPFL table with twenty-eight points, with a possible thirty-nine points still available to play for.
====================

The National Sports Commission, NSC, has officially inaugurated the Local Organising Committee for the second edition of the African Schools Games, tagged Abuja 2027.

The 28-member committee was inaugurated by the Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, with a clear mandate to organise a successful and excellent Games.

Dikko assured the committee of the commission’s total support in delivering the assignment

Also, the Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, said hosting the African Schools Games in 2027 fits perfectly with the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy agenda of the commission, which prioritises sports production.

Chairman of the newly inaugurated committee, Lekan Abari, assured that the committee would work diligently and transparently to deliver the best-ever African Schools Games.
=====================

OTHER LEAGUES
====================

Interim manager, Martin O’Neill hopes Celtic will be granted the full ticket allocation available to them for next month’s Scottish Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox.

Teams in the Scottish Cup have the right to claim up to twenty percent of tickets, which at Ibrox is more than ten thousand.

Rules also state that both clubs and the police have to agree to a designated away end.

O’Neill said it would be fantastic to see a large Celtic contingent return to Govan.
=================

OTHER SPORTS
=================

In Cricket, Pakistan geared up for the highly anticipated T20 World Cup showdown with India by securing a 32-run victory against the United States in their second group-stage fixture.

Sahibzada Farhan’s sparkling knock of 74 from 41 balls and Babar Azam’s 48 off 32 handed a target of 191 to the USA, who failed to keep pace during the chase as Pakistan made it two wins from two matches in the tournament.

It is a confidence‑boosting victory for Pakistan before Sunday’s high‑stakes match with arch‑rivals and defending champions India.

The USA, who can take plenty of positives despite back-to-back defeats, will eye their first win of the tournament when facing the Netherlands on Friday.
=================

In Rugby, Captain Maro Itoje has returned to England starting XV for Saturday’s Six Nations match against Scotland in Edinburgh.

Itoje, who was on the bench for the 48-7 win against Wales, starts in the second row as one of two changes to the forward pack.

Luke Cowan-Dickie is at hooker with Jamie George, who led the side in Itoje’s absence last weekend, among the replacements.
===================

In Golf, Bronte Law is looking forward to feeling the buzz of being involved in this year’s Solheim Cup despite accepting this season will be different as a new parent.

The Englishwoman, who last contested the biennial event in Europe’s victory at Gleneagles in 2019, does not expect to play against the USA in September, but will be there as a vice-captain for the Junior Solheim Cup earlier in the week.
========================

TODAY’S FIXTURE
========================

IN ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Aston Villa vs Brighton.

Crystal Palace vs Burnley

Manchester City vs Fulham

Nottingham Forest vs Wolves

Sunderland vs Liverpool.
======================
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they do not have any…words from Alice Walker.

Power’s not given to you. You have to take it..words from Beyonce.