Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been shortlisted for the PFA Women’s Super League (WSL) Fans’ Player of the Month Award for September, following a string of impressive performances since joining the club this summer. The Nigerian shot-stopper, who arrived on a free transfer from Paris FC, has wasted no time establishing herself as one of the league’s standout performers. Her agility, command of the box, and leadership at the back have made her a key figure in Brighton’s encouraging start to the season. Stellar Start to Life in England At just 24 years old, Nnadozie has shown…

When you picture a professional footballer arriving for training, the scene usually involves the roar of a luxury car engine. But at Real Betis’ training ground in Seville, Hector Bellerin often pulls up quietly—on a bicycle. For Bellerin, it’s not just a lifestyle choice; it’s a statement. “It would be easier to take a cab,” he says. “I know I’m privileged, but it’s more of a revindication. We need greener cities, with fewer cars.” At 30, the former Arsenal defender has become one of football’s leading voices on sustainability. On Monday, he was named the BBC Green Sport Awards’ Global…

Former Spain and Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba has announced he will retire from professional football at the end of the current Major League Soccer (MLS) season. The 36-year-old made the announcement via a heartfelt video on Instagram, marking the end of a glittering career that has spanned nearly two decades and seen him lift some of the sport’s most coveted trophies. Alba, who joined Inter Miami in 2023, will hang up his boots after completing the MLS play-offs later this year. The veteran defender joined the American club alongside his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez,…

Conor McGregor, one of mixed martial arts’ most polarizing figures, has been handed an 18-month suspension by the UFC for violating the organization’s anti-doping policy. The punishment comes after the Irish fighter reportedly missed three drug test collections within a 12-month period in 2024, according to the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) agency. The 37-year-old fighter, who turns 38 in July, has not competed since suffering a broken leg during his defeat to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. McGregor’s absence from the sport has been marred by controversy, speculation, and, now, disciplinary action that casts further doubt on his fighting future.…

Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League title defence began on a sour note as Melchie Dumornay’s first-half brace earned Olympique Lyonnais a 2-1 win at Meadow Park on Tuesday night. The reigning champions started brightly and appeared set to control proceedings, but two costly defensive errors handed the French giants all three points in their league phase opener. It was a rematch of last season’s semi-final, which Arsenal won 5-3 on aggregate, and the Gunners seemed determined to repeat history when Alessia Russo opened the scoring just seven minutes in. Beth Mead showed excellent persistence to break through a challenge before…

Malaysia’s football scene has been rocked by scandal after FIFA accused the country of falsifying citizenship documents for seven foreign-born players on its national team. In a damning report released Monday, world football’s governing body alleged that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) forged birth certificates to make it appear that the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysia, enabling them to qualify under FIFA’s “grandfather rule.” The rule allows players to represent a country if their parents or grandparents were born there, ensuring eligibility remains based on genuine heritage rather than convenience. FIFA said Malaysia’s actions “constitute, pure and simple,…

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has signed an improved contract at the Emirates Stadium, cementing his place as one of Mikel Arteta’s most trusted players. The Spain international, who has been crucial in Arsenal’s rise under Arteta, agreed to a pay rise earlier this summer, reflecting his growing influence and consistency since joining from Brentford. Although the new deal does not extend beyond the original expiry date of 2028, it significantly improves Raya’s salary from his reported £100,000 per week. The club has also retained an option to extend the agreement further, ensuring long-term stability between the posts. Recognition for Key…

Novak Djokovic admitted he “suffered a lot” as he survived a hard-fought second-round clash against Marin Cilic at the Shanghai Masters, securing a 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 victory in one hour and 54 minutes. The 38-year-old Serb, playing his first tournament since the US Open and his first non-Grand Slam event since May, faced a stern test from the 37-year-old Croatian. The combined age of 75 years and 139 days made this the oldest-ever matchup in an ATP Masters 1000 main draw. A tense first set The opening set was a tightly contested affair. Both players held serve consistently, with little…

Florian Wirtz arrived at Anfield this summer in a blaze of anticipation, hailed as one of Europe’s brightest young attacking talents and signed for a staggering £116m. Yet, after nine appearances in red, Liverpool fans and pundits alike are beginning to ask the same question: why hasn’t the German prodigy clicked yet? Wirtz’s early form has been described as underwhelming. He is yet to score a goal for Liverpool and his only assist came in the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace. Former England striker Wayne Rooney went so far as to claim that the 22-year-old “damages the balance” of…

Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has warned that Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain precarious, despite a recent points deduction handed to South Africa by FIFA. The ex-international, who was part of Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, expressed his concerns on social media, noting that qualification is now out of the Super Eagles’ direct control. South Africa’s setback Nigeria’s fortunes appeared to improve earlier this week when FIFA confirmed that South Africa had fielded an ineligible player during their 2-0 victory over Lesotho in March. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena was suspended after accumulating…