In a nation gripped by one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, Sudan’s national football team has provided a rare glimmer of hope by qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco. The Falcons of Jediane defied the odds, navigating a tumultuous backdrop of war, displacement, and the suspension of domestic football to secure their place on the continent’s biggest stage. Since the outbreak of civil war in April 2023, over 11 million Sudanese have been displaced, with countless lives lost to preventable diseases and starvation. Despite these dire conditions, the national football team carried the hopes…
Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi
In Malaga this week, the words “Gracias Rafa” were emblazoned on a towering banner outside the Palacio de Deportes, summing up the emotions of a nation—and the world—as Rafael Nadal, one of tennis’ greatest players, officially retired. The 38-year-old Spaniard played the final match of his illustrious career during Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final loss to the Netherlands. Inside the packed 11,500-capacity arena, fans waved signs of gratitude and draped themselves in Spain’s red and yellow, celebrating the man whose career achievements transcend tennis. Nadal’s career statistics are staggering: 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 at the French Open, an achievement…
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr and West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis have announced that they are expecting their first child together. The couple shared the news via Kerr’s Instagram account with a post reading, “Mewis-Kerr baby coming 2025!” The 33-year-old Mewis is carrying the baby, marking a joyous milestone in their relationship. West Ham United celebrated the announcement, posting on Instagram: “A huge congratulations to Kristie and her partner Sam, who have announced they are expecting their first child.” Sam Kerr, 31, is Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer and a global icon in women’s football. She has been instrumental in Chelsea’s dominance,…
The Football Association’s (FA) transgender inclusion policy has come under intense focus following a protest outside Wembley Stadium before England’s men’s match against the Republic of Ireland. The FA’s transgender policy faced scrutiny after a protest outside Wembley before England’s match against Ireland, sparked by a teen’s ban for alleged discriminatory remarks. A 17-year-old player received a six-match ban (four suspended) after asking a transgender opponent, “Are you a man?” The FA ruled it a breach of discrimination laws. The teenager, who reportedly has suspected autism, denied being transphobic and expressed concerns about her safety. Her family has indicated an…
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been fined $100,000 (£79,000) by the NBA for making what the league deemed an “offensive and derogatory” homophobic comment during a courtside interview. The 23-year-old’s remark came after the Hornets’ narrow 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. Ball was discussing his team’s defensive strategy during the game’s final moments, which saw Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo miss a crucial last-second attempt. The specifics of the comment have not been disclosed, but the NBA deemed it in violation of its policies promoting inclusivity and respect. Following the incident, Ball addressed the media after scoring 31…
England captain Harry Kane has hinted that the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America might not be his last international tournament, as the prolific striker remains in peak form at 31. Kane extended his record as England’s all-time leading scorer to an impressive 69 goals in 103 appearances during Sunday’s 5-0 demolition of the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League. Despite being rested for Thursday’s 3-0 win over Greece, Kane remains a cornerstone of England’s ambitions under the incoming manager Thomas Tuchel. In an exclusive with PA, the Bayern Munich forward dismissed notions that his advancing years…
French football giants Lyon face the prospect of demotion to Ligue 2 at the end of the season if they fail to address their mounting financial problems. The ruling, issued by the French National Directorate of Management Control (DNGC), also includes a ban on the club signing players during the January transfer window. The club, owned by American businessman John Textor, is grappling with debts of £422 million, as recently disclosed by his Eagle Football Group. Textor, who also owns stakes in Premier League side Crystal Palace and Brazilian club Botafogo, is under pressure to stabilize Lyon’s finances. As part…
Former Green Eagles midfielder Adebayo Gbadebo has called on the Super Eagles to remain focused and use their recent 1-1 draw against Benin Republic as a learning experience. Speaking from Bangkok, the Thailand-based coach commended the team for securing early qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals but stressed the importance of not underestimating future opponents. The draw in Thursday’s Group D encounter at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan ensured Nigeria topped the group, guaranteeing their place in the AFCON finals in Morocco with one game to spare. Mohamed Tijani’s early goal for Benin Republic put…
Arsenal Women continued their remarkable revival under interim manager Renee Slegers with a commanding 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Goals from Alessia Russo, Frida Maanum, and substitute Stina Blackstenius ensured the Gunners stretched their unbeaten run to six matches across all competitions since Slegers stepped in following Jonas Eidevall’s resignation last month. The Gunners wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Russo finding the back of the net after just 63 seconds. The England striker, left unmarked, fired a precise volley into the bottom corner, marking her fifth goal of…
Brighton & Hove Albion edged a thrilling Women’s Super League clash against West Ham United, clinching a 3-2 victory courtesy of a late goal from Fran Kirby. The England star delivered the decisive moment in the 85th minute, finishing off Kiko Seike’s pass with a shot that kissed the post before crossing the line. The result keeps Brighton in third place, maintaining their impressive start to the season. Brighton dominated much of the first half, with Rachel McLauchlan opening the scoring in style. Latching onto Kirby’s clever flick, McLauchlan cut inside and curled a superb shot into the bottom corner…
