Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

American teenager Iva Jovic announced herself as one of tennis’ brightest rising stars after claiming her first WTA title at the Guadalajara Open in Mexico. The 17-year-old defeated Colombia’s Emiliana Arango 6-4, 6-1 in Sunday’s final, becoming the youngest player to win a WTA crown this season. At just 17 years and 283 days old, Jovic surpassed Mirra Andreeva, who earlier this year lifted a trophy at 17 years and 299 days, as the youngest 2025 title winner. She also became the youngest American to win a tour-level title since Coco Gauff triumphed in Parma in 2021. A meteoric rise…

On a night destined for boxing’s history books, Terence “Bud” Crawford delivered a masterclass performance to dethrone Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and become the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world. Fighting in front of 70,000 spectators at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and a record-breaking global audience on Netflix, Crawford produced a career-defining display that has now cemented his place among the sport’s greatest. A win for the ages Crawford, who turns 38 in less than two weeks, made history by becoming the first male fighter to claim undisputed status across three divisions in the four-belt era. Already a champion…

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expressed delight after Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho scored a dramatic late winner on his debut, helping the Hoops secure a 2-1 victory away at Kilmarnock on Sunday. The 28-year-old forward, who completed a move to Celtic on deadline day, wasted no time in making his mark in Scottish football. Introduced from the bench for the final 20 minutes at Rugby Park, Iheanacho held his nerve to convert a stoppage-time penalty, sending the travelling fans into raptures and Rodgers into celebration on the touchline. Rodgers full of praise Speaking after the match, Rodgers praised Iheanacho’s composure and…

Everton winger Jack Grealish has made a stunning start to the 2025-26 Premier League season, earning the Premier League Player of the Month award for August after a series of eye-catching performances. Manager David Moyes hailed the accolade as “just the start” for the England international, who has already left a significant mark on his loan club. Grealish, 30, joined Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City and has immediately become a central figure in the Toffees’ attacking setup. Across the opening three league games, he has recorded four assists, surpassing all other players in the Premier League at…

Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has launched a scathing attack on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), declaring the body should be disbanded if the national team fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mikel’s outburst comes in the wake of Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein, a result that leaves the Eagles’ qualification hopes hanging by a thread. With two matches remaining in Group C, Nigeria trail leaders South Africa by six points. The Bafana Bafana sit on 17 points, while Nigeria are tied on 11 points with Benin Republic, who still have a…

Chelsea have confirmed a pre-contract agreement to sign Emanuel Emegha from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg in 2026, continuing the deepening ties between the two clubs under Todd Boehly’s BlueCo ownership. The 22-year-old Netherlands Under-21 international will remain captain of Strasbourg for the current season, guiding the French club into their first European campaign since 2020, before moving to Stamford Bridge on a seven-year contract next summer. Emegha, who has scored 23 goals in 57 league appearances, turned down offers from Champions League and Premier League sides to commit his future to Chelsea earlier this year. His decision to delay the…

Eddie Howe has admitted his once-strong relationship with Alexander Isak shifted irreversibly when the Sweden international went on “strike” to secure a record-breaking move to Liverpool. Isak, who became the most expensive signing in British football history after completing a £125m deadline-day transfer to Anfield, had been training away from his Newcastle United teammates during the opening weeks of the season. He refused to play in the club’s first three fixtures, with his desire to force through the move eventually leading to a breakdown in communication with Howe. “Alex and I always enjoyed a great relationship,” Howe reflected. “I loved…

Chelsea have been dealt a major early-season blow with striker Liam Delap sidelined until December after sustaining a hamstring injury in the 2-0 victory over Fulham before the international break. The 22-year-old was forced off just 14 minutes into the clash at Stamford Bridge, with manager Enzo Maresca confirming that his recovery timeline is expected to last between 10 and 12 weeks. Although the England Under-21 international has avoided surgery, Chelsea’s medical staff are taking a cautious approach. The club hopes he could make a return in late November, potentially offering a boost in time for the festive fixture congestion.…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that the Super Eagles will face Venezuela in an international friendly on Friday, November 14, at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas. The clash provides José Peseiro’s men with a valuable opportunity to test themselves against South American opposition as they continue preparations for the final rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The fixture comes at a crucial moment for the Super Eagles, whose World Cup qualifying campaign has been anything but smooth. Having dropped points in key matches against Zimbabwe and South Africa, Nigeria’s path to Canada, Mexico, and…

Ange Postecoglou has brushed aside talk of needing to silence critics as he begins his tenure as Nottingham Forest’s new manager, declaring that his track record speaks for itself. The 60-year-old Australian, unveiled at the City Ground on Thursday, returns to management just three months after his dismissal from Tottenham Hotspur. Despite guiding Spurs to their first major trophy in 17 years — the Europa League title in May — his side endured a disastrous domestic campaign, finishing 17th in the Premier League. Postecoglou replaces Nuno Espírito Santo, who was relieved of his duties on Monday night after 21 months…