Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Rising from a consultative meeting with the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) board on Thursday evening in Abuja, the Football Club Owners Association of Nigeria agreed to kickstart the 2023/24 season on August 26, as recommended by the NPL body. In a unanimous decision reached by all 20 clubs and presented to the NPFL led by its chairman, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, the clubs also jettisoned the much-talked-about abridged league while opting for a full season of 38 straight matches to determine the league champion and Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, respectively. Speaking at the end…

Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum has revealed that his side will use their athleticism to overcome England in their Round of 16 encounter. The nine-time African champions will battle England for a place in the quarter-finals at Lang Park, Brisbane on Monday. England pulverised China 6-1 in their last group game on Tuesday to underline their title credentials. Waldrum claimed the European champions used their power to overcome the Chinese in the encounter. The American further said the Super Falcons will capitalise on their speed and power to beat Sarina Wiegman’s side. “The one difference between us and China…

Fifa is investigating an official complaint that Zambia head coach Bruce Mwape sexually assaulted a player at the Women’s World Cup. Mwape is accused of rubbing his hands over the chest of one of his players during a training session in New Zealand on 29 July. “A complaint has been received,” a Fifa spokesperson said. But the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) said “it has not received any such complaint” and it is a “surprise”. The alleged incident is said to have taken place during a training session two days before their final group match against Costa Rica, which Zambia…

France international defender Axel Disasi has joined Chelsea from AS Monaco on a six-year contract for 45m Euros (£38.57m). Disasi, 25, offers defensive cover at Stamford Bridge after an knee injury sustained by Wesley Fofana. He played in all 38 of Monaco’s Ligue 1 games last season. “I am really proud to be able to be a part of this great family,” Disasi told Chelsea’s website. “I hope to achieve very big things here. To win titles. I will do everything I can to achieve those objectives. I am very ambitious.”

Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey has held talks over a possible transfer move to Juventus. Sky Italy reports that Partey has agreed personal terms with Juventus to join the club this summer. The Serie A giants will now lodge an offer for the Ghanaian international, but are aware they need to sell one or two players before they can buy him. However, it is unclear whether Arsenal would let Partey leave Emirates after midfield partner Granit Xhaka also departed the North London club this summer. Partey joined Arsenal from Spanish La Liga giants Atletico Madrid for £45million in the summer of…

Sergio Ramos does not let his guard down. The former Real Madrid player continues with his daily training routine waiting to find the offer that meets all his expectations. In recent days he has received different proposals, but the desire of the defender is to continue shaping his career in the United States, in MLS, which has become a perfect showcase this summer for Spanish soccer after the arrival of Leo Messi. Once his time at PSG was over, Ramos decided to take a break before making a decision that could be hasty. Saudi Arabian soccer has repeatedly knocked on his door, as well as different Brazilian…

Arsenal star, Oleksandr Zinchenko has given his verdict on the club’s summer new signing, Jurrien Timber. Zinchenko said that the singing of Timber is incredible, adding that the 22-year-old will help the Gunners a lot. Arsenal recently signed Timber from Ajax this summer transfer window. “Maybe he is [similar], but maybe better than me,” Zinchenko told Arsenal’s official programme. “I’m sure he is 100 percent going to show us what he can do, and will really help us. “I do know about him because I watched him and followed the way he played at Ajax. Also, I played against him…

The Nigeria Senior Women’s Basketball Team D’tigress on Thursday in the ongoing Afrobasket Women’s Championship, crushed host country Rwanda, 79-48 to reach another final. D’tigress who has been dominant in the competition since 2015 are yet to loose any match and are now gunning for their fourth successive championship trophy. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that D’tigress has extended their unbeaten run to 23 games and will face the winner between Senegal and Mali in the final on Saturday. Amy Okonkwo as usual, unleashed the necessary qualities as she recorded 23 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and one…

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for £25m plus add-ons. The Blues have been looking to add a goalkeeper to their squad following the sale of Edouard Mendy to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. Sanchez, 25, will challenge Kepa Arrizabalaga for the number one spot. The Spaniard will be familiar to the coaching staff at Chelsea as goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts worked with him while at Brighton. Sanchez has been with the Seagulls since the age of 15, having joined their academy from Levante in 2013. After loan spells with Forest Green and Rochdale, he made his…

The Super Falcons started preparations for their Round of 16 fixture against the Lionesses of England at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Thursday. The players were granted a two-day break following Monday’s 0-0 draw against Republic of Ireland. All 23 players took part in the session held at the Lion FC Stadium in Brisbane. The training was supervised by head coach Randy Waldrum. Defensive midfielder Deborah Abiodun is available for selection again after serving a mandatory two-match suspension. Abiodun was sent off in the closing minutes of Nigeria’s opening fixture against Canada. She missed the 3-2 victory…

The last sixteen of the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand have been confirmed. This follows the completion of Thursday’s group stage fixtures. Morocco defeated Colombia 1-0, while South Korea drew 1-1 with Germany. This means that both Colombia and Morocco now joins other 14 countries including the likes of Nigeria, South Africa, Japan, Spain, Sweden, United States, England, Jamaica, Denmark , France, Australia, Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland in the Round of 16 stages. The Round of 16 fixtures will take place on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Round of 16 fixtures: Switzerland vs…

Two-time champions Germany were sent crashing out of the Women’s World Cup group stages in the biggest shock of the tournament thanks to a draw with South Korea. It is the first time in Germany’s history they have failed to reach the knockout stages. One of the pre-tournament favourites, Germany knew they needed to better Morocco’s result against Colombia to progress in Group H, but that match finished 1-0 to Morocco. An early goal by South Korea’s Cho So-hyun shook the Euro 2022 finalists in Brisbane, but captain Alexandra Popp netted her fourth goal in three matches to equalise shortly before…