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…
Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi
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…
After England’s shocking 2-1 defeat to Greece in the UEFA Nations League, the football world has been abuzz with questions regarding interim manager Lee Carsley’s risky tactical choices. While the result was a clear setback for Carsley’s bid to secure the England job permanently, it also raises a broader issue that many teams face in international football: the balance between innovation and stability. Managers are constantly under pressure to evolve tactics and experiment with different lineups, especially in an era where fans and pundits demand more attacking football. For years, English supporters called for a more dynamic style under Gareth…
Former England manager Gareth Southgate has announced that he will not be returning to coaching within the next year, effectively ruling himself out of contention for the managerial role at Manchester United. This declaration comes amidst growing speculation surrounding Southgate’s future and his potential involvement with the Premier League giants. United’s managerial situation remains uncertain, with current boss Erik ten Hag under increasing pressure following a poor start to the 2024-25 season. Southgate, who left his role as England manager after the team’s narrow defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, made his comments during an event in Athens.…
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have wrapped up their final preparations ahead of tomorrow’s highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. The match, scheduled to take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, promises to be an intense battle as both teams vie for crucial points to secure their place in the tournament. Both teams were active today with final training sessions and pre-match press conferences, setting the stage for tomorrow’s clash. The Libyan national team held their press conference in the afternoon, around 4:30 PM, with head coach Nasser…
Super Falcons defender Tosin Demehin has expressed her immense joy after making her debut in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The young Nigerian defender featured for Turkish side Galatasaray in their tough encounter against French powerhouse Olympique Lyon on Wednesday night, a match that ended in a 3-0 defeat for the Turkish team. Despite the loss, Demehin’s excitement at achieving a personal milestone in one of the most prestigious competitions in women’s football was clear. For her, this moment represents a significant step forward in her career, one that many young footballers around the world aspire to but only a…
Tyson Fury is gearing up for one of the most significant rematches of his career as he prepares to take on Oleksandr Usyk on December 21. After suffering the first defeat of his professional career in their previous bout in May, Fury is determined to avenge his loss and reclaim his position at the top of the heavyweight division. This highly anticipated rematch promises to be one of the biggest events in boxing, as the two fighters square off once again for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. Fury, known for his charismatic personality and unconventional fighting style, lost…
