Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Global football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has expanded his brand beyond the pitch with the launch of his exclusive luxury watch collection in collaboration with renowned jeweler Jacob & Co. Announcing the new venture on Instagram, Ronaldo revealed that the collection, which features two models – Flight of CR7 and Heart of CR7 – draws inspiration from his illustrious football career. “I’ve always dreamed of having my own watch collection,” Ronaldo shared with his fans. “The Flight of CR7 & the Heart of CR7 take inspiration from some of my most iconic moments on the field. I hope you like them…

Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has expressed her delight after returning to competitive football following a long injury layoff. The 26-year-old had been sidelined since April after undergoing surgery on her right foot, forcing her to miss Nigeria’s squad for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Plumptre made her much-anticipated comeback last weekend, appearing for her Saudi Arabian club, Al-Ittihad, in their 1-0 victory over Al-Ula. She was introduced in the second half, contributing to her team’s clean sheet and eventual win. The former Leicester City defender took to social media to share her excitement, saying, “Hey, Etihad fans! I’m…

The nominees for the prestigious BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2024 award have been revealed, with five standout players from around the globe in contention. Fans are now invited to vote for their favourite player from the shortlist, which includes Barbra Banda, Aitana Bonmatí, Naomi Girma, Caroline Graham Hansen, and Sophia Smith. The award, now in its 10th year, was first established in 2015 to celebrate the finest talents in women’s football. Voting closes on Monday, 28 October 2024, and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, 26 November across BBC World Service platforms. Barbra Banda (Zambia, Orlando Pride)…

Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has revealed that he was financially supported by his teammates after the club suspended his wages when he was charged with multiple rape and sexual assault allegations in 2021. Mendy, now 30, is currently pursuing £11.5 million in unpaid wages from the Premier League champions, which he claims are owed to him due to the club’s decision to withhold his salary following his suspension. The employment tribunal heard that Mendy, who was cleared of all charges in 2023, was lent money by several of his former teammates, including Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, and Riyad…

Randal Kolo Muani scored twice as France triumphed 2-1 over Belgium in an action-packed UEFA Nations League encounter in Brussels. The match was filled with drama, including two penalties, a red card, and multiple VAR interventions that kept both sets of fans on edge. Belgium started the game on the front foot and were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Youri Tielemans was fouled in the box by William Saliba. The incident, which initially went unnoticed, was reviewed by the video assistant referee (VAR) and resulted in a penalty. However, Tielemans squandered the chance by blasting his…

Aryna Sabalenka etched her name in tennis history on Sunday as she claimed her third consecutive Wuhan Open title with a gritty 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 victory over China’s Zheng Qinwen in a high-octane final. The win cements Sabalenka’s dominance at the tournament, making her the first player to win the Wuhan Open three times and extending her undefeated streak at the event to 17 matches. The final between the 26-year-old Belarusian and Zheng, the reigning Olympic gold medallist and the first Chinese player to reach a WTA 1000 final, was a rematch of this year’s Australian Open final. Sabalenka had…

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are threatening to boycott their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against Libya after being stranded at an airport for hours. The team was diverted to Al Abraq Airport, approximately 230 kilometers away from their intended destination in Benghazi, and were left locked inside the airport overnight, sparking outrage among players and officials. The Nigerian team was scheduled to land in Benghazi on Sunday to prepare for their AFCON qualifier on Tuesday. However, their flight was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abraq, a city far from Benghazi, with no explanation provided. The situation worsened when the…

European football leagues and the players’ union Fifpro have filed a legal complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of abusing its dominant position in football. The complaint, which has been lodged by the European Leagues and Fifpro, claims that FIFA’s decisions regarding the international match calendar violate European competition laws. The European Leagues, which represents 39 leagues including the Premier League and over 1,130 clubs across 33 countries, joined forces with the European branch of Fifpro in this unprecedented legal move. Spain’s La Liga, though not a member of the European Leagues, has also joined the action. The primary…

Boxing fans worldwide are bracing for another blockbuster bout between British heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, as the rematch between the two giants is tentatively set for February 2024. The clash, which promises to be a significant moment in modern heavyweight boxing, will be part of the Riyadh Season, an entertainment and sports festival that takes place annually in Saudi Arabia from October to March. Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, confirmed the timing of the rematch while speaking after the press conference for the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight. Alalshikh hinted at a…

Premier League side Fulham have expressed serious interest in Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare, with a potential move being considered for the upcoming January transfer window. Arokodare, currently plying his trade with Belgian Pro League club KRC Genk, has caught the attention of clubs across Europe with his impressive form this season. The 23-year-old forward has been in scintillating form for Genk, scoring six goals in 10 league appearances during the 2024 season. Arokodare’s consistency in front of goal has not gone unnoticed, with Fulham reportedly leading the race to secure his signature. Fulham manager Marco Silva is said to be…