Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Nigeria’s Super Falcons continued their preparation for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a spirited 0-0 draw against Portugal in a friendly match played on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Amadora, Portugal. It was a game marked by defensive resilience and goalkeeping heroics, especially from Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, who delivered a standout performance to earn the nine-time African champions a hard-fought clean sheet. The friendly was only the second-ever meeting between the two nations. Their first encounter, a thrilling 3-3 draw in 2021, set the stage for another competitive clash. While this encounter did not deliver goals, it…

Abakaliki FC, the surprise package of the 2025 President Federation Cup, have arrived in Lagos ahead of their highly anticipated final clash with Kwara United this Saturday. The match will mark a historic moment for both clubs as they each make their first-ever appearance in the final of Nigeria’s prestigious domestic cup competition. Nicknamed “The Rice Boys,” Abakaliki FC are a second-tier side playing in the Nigeria National League (NNL). Their journey to this point has been nothing short of extraordinary, having knocked out four top-flight teams to earn their spot in the final. Katsina United, Nasarawa United, Enyimba, and…

Manchester United have submitted an improved offer of over £60 million for Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo as the club continues its ambitious summer rebuild under new manager Ruben Amorim. After seeing an earlier bid of £45 million plus £10 million in potential add-ons rejected earlier this month, United returned with a new proposal in hopes of securing the signature of the in-demand Cameroon international. Talks between the clubs are expected to continue in the coming days, with Brentford holding out for a fee at least equal to the £62.5 million United paid Wolves for Matheus Cunha. Mbeumo, 25, would become…

Liverpool have completed a major defensive reinforcement by agreeing a £40 million deal to sign Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth. The highly-rated Hungarian left-back is set to become the latest addition to Arne Slot’s squad as the Reds look to defend their Premier League title and strengthen for an ambitious 2025/26 campaign. The 21-year-old joins after an impressive season with Bournemouth, where he played every single Premier League match and helped the Cherries achieve a club-record ninth-place finish and 56 points. Kerkez contributed two goals and six assists across the season, attracting attention from Europe’s elite before Liverpool won the race…

Dutch footballer Quincy Promes has been extradited from Dubai to the Netherlands, where he is set to begin serving a combined seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence for drug trafficking and aggravated assault. The 33-year-old, once a regular in the Netherlands national team, was arrested last week in Dubai following an official extradition request from Dutch authorities. His transfer marks the culmination of a long-running legal process that has plagued the winger’s career in recent years. Promes was sentenced in February 2024 to six years in prison after Dutch prosecutors found him guilty of participating in a major cocaine smuggling operation. The case…

In a significant development just weeks before the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 kicks off, England and Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating has had criminal charges against her formally dropped, bringing an end to a legal ordeal that lasted nearly a year. The 20-year-old had been facing charges related to the possession of nitrous oxide—commonly known as “laughing gas”—which was officially classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in November 2023. Keating, who had consistently maintained her innocence, expressed relief and gratitude after the Crown Prosecution Service decided to discontinue the case. “I’m relieved the charges…

Former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged by the Football Association (FA) over inappropriate comments he made about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in a video leaked on social media. The 42-year-old, who was suspended in November 2024 and later sacked by the Premier League referees’ body, now faces formal disciplinary action under FA rule E3.1 for alleged improper conduct and use of abusive and insulting language. The controversy began in late 2024 when a video surfaced showing Coote making derogatory remarks about Klopp, including an “aggravated” breach related to referencing Klopp’s nationality. The video quickly went viral, sparking…

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has opened up about the emotional challenge of parting ways with manager Ange Postecoglou, just weeks after the Australian led the club to a historic Europa League triumph. Postecoglou was dismissed only 16 days following Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao, which secured the club’s first major trophy in 17 years. Despite this landmark success, Spurs endured a dismal Premier League campaign, finishing 17th, sparking calls for change. Former Brentford boss Thomas Frank was swiftly appointed as Postecoglou’s successor. Levy expressed his gratitude for Postecoglou’s contributions during his two-season spell at Tottenham. “I…

Fifa has come under fire from campaigners and human rights groups for its apparent decision to downplay anti-racism messaging during the recent Club World Cup held in the United States. This has raised questions about whether the shift is linked to the political climate in the host country, particularly the policies introduced by US President Donald Trump. In previous tournaments such as the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Fifa prominently supported anti-discrimination efforts, including the use of “no discrimination” armbands worn by players. Furthermore, Fifa recently introduced a revised disciplinary code aimed at combating racism more effectively through stricter bans and…

In a remarkable journey that bridges the bustling streets of Lagos and the football fields of Denmark, 24-year-old Nigerian defender Oluwatobiloba Olalere has carved his name into history by leading Aarhus Fremad FC to promotion into the Danish First Division after a 19-year absence. Olalere, born and raised in Lagos, has been an inspirational figure throughout the season, earning the club’s Best Player of the Season award—an outstanding achievement for a foreign defender in a highly competitive European league. His consistent performances, leadership, and defensive mastery were central to Aarhus Fremad’s success. A Dream Realized Olalere’s rise from humble beginnings…