Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Galatasaray president Durzan Özbek has confirmed that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen does not have a release clause in his contract with the Turkish Super Lig champions. Speaking during a sponsorship press conference on Friday, Özbek dismissed rumours suggesting that the 25-year-old’s deal contained a fixed buyout clause, insisting that the club maintains full control over the player’s future. “Osimhen’s contract doesn’t include an exit clause,” Özbek stated. “He’s an extremely successful player who will serve Galatasaray for many years to come.” The Turkish champions secured Osimhen’s signature from Italian side Napoli this summer after activating his €75 million release clause…

Jannik Sinner continued his superb 2025 season with a commanding straight-set victory over Alexander Bublik to reach the semi-finals of the Vienna Open. The world number two, who has reached all four Grand Slam singles finals this year, was near flawless on serve as he dispatched Bublik 6-4, 6-3 in just 76 minutes. A single break of serve in each set was enough for the Italian to secure his 60th win of the season and move a step closer to his fourth ATP title of the year. Sinner, 24, has now won 19 consecutive matches on indoor hard courts and…

A massive FBI crackdown has rocked the world of basketball and organised crime, leading to the arrest of more than 30 individuals including current and former NBA stars and prominent mafia figures over allegations of illegal sports betting and rigged poker games. Among those detained are Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach and former NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, and ex-player Damon Jones. The arrests stem from two overlapping federal indictments announced in New York and Oregon on Thursday. Two major criminal cases unveiled According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the “mind-boggling” operation uncovered two interconnected…

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has dismissed speculation about his future, insisting he has no agreement to leave the club and will not discuss potential transfers until after the 2026 World Cup. The Portuguese midfielder, who will make his 300th appearance for the club in Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brighton, reaffirmed his commitment to United amid growing rumours linking him with moves to Saudi Arabia and top European sides. “I feel good here. I still want to achieve my dreams,” Fernandes said. “I’ve seen a lot of people say I already have an agreement to go next season. If…

Liverpool manager Arne Slot insists he has no concerns about Mohamed Salah’s form despite the forward’s slow start to the Premier League season. Salah, 33, has scored just three league goals so far — a modest return by his own high standards — as Liverpool struggle to rediscover their rhythm following a summer of heavy spending and significant change. The Reds invested around £415 million on attacking reinforcements, including Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, but results have been inconsistent, with four straight league defeats before Wednesday’s 5-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Salah started that game on…

Ashleigh Plumptre admits her move to Saudi Arabia’s Women’s Premier League (SWPL) came with challenges, regrets, and new opportunities. In 2023, the Nigeria international left childhood club Leicester City to join Al-Ittihad, becoming the first WSL player to move to the Saudi league. While excited by the prospect of professional growth, Plumptre acknowledges that her decision hurt some fans, particularly in the LGBT community, and that Saudi women’s football still has work to do both on and off the pitch. The 27-year-old had initially been hesitant about the move. With her Leicester contract ending, she sought a new challenge where…

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that it will advise all international sports federations not to hold events in Indonesia following the country’s decision to bar Israeli athletes from participating in the ongoing World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta. Indonesia refused to grant visas to the Israeli team due to the country’s military operations in Gaza, a move that has sparked widespread criticism. The Israeli Gymnastics Federation (IGF) described the action as setting a “dangerous precedent” and condemned both Indonesia and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for failing to uphold the principles of open participation in international sport. In…

Former Nigeria international Victor Moses is on the verge of joining Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls, according to reports emerging from Footy Africa and Complete Sports The 34-year-old winger, who was released by Luton Town at the end of last season, is currently in advanced talks with the MLS outfit as he looks to continue his professional career in the United States. Sources close to the negotiations suggest discussions have been “positive,” with only minor details left to finalise before an agreement is reached. Moses spent the 2024–25 campaign with Championship side Luton Town, making 18 appearances…

Benfica manager José Mourinho has insisted his side remain firmly in contention for a place in the Champions League knockout stage despite their 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Tuesday night. The result left the Portuguese champions struggling in Group F, but Mourinho believes that qualification is still within reach. Speaking to the club’s official website after the match, the veteran coach outlined a clear path forward for his team. “We have 15 points to play for, with three matches at home,” Mourinho said. “We lost to Chelsea away, Newcastle away, which in the end wouldn’t…

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has confirmed he has resolved his differences with former team-mate Wilfried Zaha after reports of a fallout between the pair during the international break. The French forward, who recently earned his first senior call-up to the France national team, found himself at the centre of an unexpected controversy when comments he made about his international ambitions were interpreted as a slight toward Zaha. Mateta, 28, made his debut for France earlier this month, featuring in a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan before scoring in a 2-2 draw with Iceland. However, in an interview…