Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Sagna Defends Zinchenko Amid Criticism, Praises Versatility and Bravery. Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has come to the defense of Oleksandr Zinchenko, lauding the Ukrainian’s versatility and technical prowess. Despite some criticism, particularly following a mistake against Liverpool, Sagna is adamant that Zinchenko has had an impressive season. “I love Zinchenko. I love the way he plays. I love his technique. I’m trying to understand why people say he didn’t have a great season. Is it because he made one mistake against Liverpool where he was caught out of position and Arsenal were punished?” Sagna remarked. Sagna emphasized…

20 D’Tigress Players Called Up By NBBF Ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics. The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has announced the list of 20 female basketball players invited for the first phase of D’Tigress’ training camp in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The camp will be held in Abuja, starting on Friday, June 7, 2024. D’Tigress, coached by the highly regarded Rena Wakama, will be representing Nigeria at the Olympic Games. Wakama led the team to a record-equalling fourth Afrobasket title in Rwanda in 2023. The list, signed by NBBF Secretary General Peter Njoku, includes: – Regina Donanu…

Kano Pillars Eliminate Sunshine Stars, Advance to President Cup Semi-Finals. Kano Pillars have secured their place in the semi-finals of the President Federation Cup after a tense quarter-final victory over Sunshine Stars at the Area 3 Pitch in Abuja on Wednesday. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time, leading to a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout win for Pillars. The victory sets up a semi-final clash with fellow NPFL side Abia Warriors. Like Kano Pillars, Abia Warriors also advanced after a nail-biting 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Okoto United, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. In other quarter-final…

Alexander Zverev Advances to French Open Semi-Finals for Fourth Consecutive Year. Germany’s Alexander Zverev has reached the semi-finals of the French Open for the fourth consecutive year, overcoming Australia’s Alex de Minaur in a spirited contest. The 27-year-old fourth seed secured his spot with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 victory over the 11th seed. Zverev now has another opportunity to reach the Roland Garros final, having narrowly missed out in each of the past three years. His next challenge will be against Norwegian seventh seed Casper Ruud, who outclassed Zverev in last year’s semi-finals. “I’m happy to be…

Tension in Super Eagles Camp as Daniel Amokachi Fails To Turn Up Ahead Of Qualifiers. Tension has surfaced in the Super Eagles’ camp as Daniel Amokachi has yet to appear just days before their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa. Amokachi’s absence has fueled concerns about his position as one of Finidi George’s assistant coaches. Sources reveal that Amokachi has rejected the contract offered by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). This decision comes amid speculation that Amokachi and head coach Finidi George are not on good terms. Amokachi was one of several assistants announced by the NFF, including…

Manchester United Retain Nigerian Trio for Upcoming Season. Manchester United has decided to retain three promising players eligible for the Nigerian national teams: Habeeb Ogunneye, Max Oyedele, and Victor Musa. These talented young athletes will continue their development as part of the Red Devils’ U-23 team for the next season. The trio joins a lineup that includes notable names such as Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Mason Greenwood, and Rasmus Hojlund. This move underscores United’s commitment to nurturing young talent and providing them with the opportunity to grow within the club’s esteemed ranks. Habeeb Ogunneye, who made the matchday squad…

James Maddison Excluded from England’s Final Euro 2024 Squad In a surprising turn of events, Tottenham midfielder James Maddison will not be part of England’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024. Despite being named in Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man selection, Maddison is one of the seven players set to be cut from the final roster (As reported by the BBC). Maddison, who has earned seven senior caps for England, participated in the recent friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, coming off the bench in a 3-0 victory at St James’ Park. However, his exclusion from the final squad means he will not travel to…

Chelsea Retain Romelu Lukaku, End Pursuit of Victor Osimhen. In a strategic move, Chelsea FC has decided to keep Romelu Lukaku at Stamford Bridge rather than loan him out for another season. This decision comes alongside the club ending their interest in Napoli’s star striker, Victor Osimhen, according to a report by the BBC. Lukaku, who has spent the last two seasons on loan at Inter Milan and Roma, is set to remain with Chelsea as the club aims to recover a portion of the £98 million transfer fee they paid for him in 2021. Despite speculation about a…

Falconets Drawn in Group D for FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2024 The Falconets of Nigeria have been drawn in Group D for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, 2024. They will be competing against formidable teams, including Germany, Venezuela, and Korea Republic. Group D Lineup: – Germany U-20 W 🇩🇪 – Venezuela U-20 W 🇻🇪 – Nigeria U-20 W 🇳🇬 – South Korea U-20 W 🇰🇷 The tournament promises to be an exciting showcase of young talent, and the Falconets are determined to make their mark on the global stage. The Nigerian team is known for…

Man City Chairman Confirms Collaborative Decision on Pep Guardiola’s Future. Manchester City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, has provided a reassuring update on the future of the club’s esteemed manager, Pep Guardiola. In a recent statement, Al Mubarak emphasized the collaborative nature of the decision-making process regarding Guardiola’s tenure. “This decision on his future is always a decision that we will take together,” Al Mubarak stated. He expressed confidence in reaching a mutually beneficial resolution, saying, “I have no doubt that we will find, as always, we have done, the right solution that works for Pep and us.” Guardiola,…

NFF Announces Ticket Prices for Super Eagles vs. Bafana Bafana World Cup Qualifier. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed ticket prices for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa. The popular stand tickets will be available for ₦1,000, while VIP tickets will be priced at ₦3,000. Tickets can be purchased at various strategic sales points across Akwa Ibom State, ensuring easy access for fans. The eagerly anticipated match is set to take place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday. The encounter will…

Antonio Conte Appointed as Napoli Manager on Three-Year Contract Napoli has officially announced the appointment of Antonio Conte as their new manager. The highly regarded Italian coach has signed a three-year contract with the club, bringing his extensive experience and tactical acumen to the Serie A giants. Conte, known for his successful stints with Juventus, Chelsea, and Inter Milan, is set to take over the reins at Napoli with immediate effect. His appointment is expected to usher in a new era of ambition and competitiveness for the club, aiming to build on their recent successes and challenge for major…