Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas has been arrested and charged with running a high-stakes illegal poker ring out of his Los Angeles-area mansion, according to a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday. The 43-year-old, best known for his playing days with the Washington Wizards and his nickname “Agent Zero,” now faces three federal charges: operating an illegal gambling business, conspiracy, and making false statements to federal investigators. Arenas pleaded not guilty during a court appearance and was released on a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to stand trial on 23 September and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted…

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá has been cleared of spot-fixing allegations by an independent regulatory commission, ending a two-year Football Association (FA) investigation that threatened to derail his career. The 27-year-old Brazil international was facing four serious charges that could have led to a lifetime ban from football. The charges were related to alleged deliberate bookings in four Premier League matches: against Leicester City (12 November 2022), Aston Villa (12 March 2023), Leeds United (21 May 2023), and Bournemouth (12 August 2023). However, following a detailed hearing, the commission ruled that the charges were “not proven.” The FA initially…

A gunman who killed four people in a Manhattan skyscraper on Monday night was reportedly targeting the National Football League (NFL) over a brain injury he blamed on playing football, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has revealed. The attacker, identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, opened fire in the lobby of 345 Park Avenue — the same building that houses the NFL headquarters. However, Tamura mistakenly went to the wrong office after taking the wrong elevator, Adams said. He later turned the gun on himself. “This was a senseless act of violence, and our city is grieving…

Nigeria made history in Rabat on Saturday night, claiming a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in dramatic fashion. The Super Falcons came from two goals down at half-time to defeat hosts Morocco in a pulsating final, earning not only continental glory but a $1m prize after CAF boosted the tournament’s prize pool. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who lifted the trophy and was later named Player of the Tournament, led a squad that had to overcome both fierce opponents and persistent institutional challenges. But beyond Nigeria’s heroics, WAFCON 2024 shed light on pressing issues still hindering the growth…

Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr have agreed a deal worth up to £43.7 million for Chelsea forward Joao Felix, marking another high-profile addition to the league and reuniting the Portuguese international with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo. Felix, 25, has been granted permission to travel to Riyadh to undergo a medical ahead of completing the move. The deal signals the end of the forward’s brief spell with Chelsea, who paid Atletico Madrid £45 million to sign him permanently last summer following a previous loan spell. Al-Nassr’s offer fended off strong competition from former club Benfica, who were keen to bring Felix back…

Bayern Munich have reached an agreement with Liverpool to sign Colombia international Luis Diaz in a deal worth £65.5 million (€75m), including add-ons, bringing to an end weeks of speculation surrounding the 28-year-old’s future. The German champions had an initial offer of £58.6m rejected earlier this month but have now succeeded in prising Diaz away from Anfield, where he has played since January 2022 after signing from FC Porto. The winger was notably absent from Liverpool’s squad for their 4-2 pre-season defeat to AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday, fueling rumours that a transfer was imminent. That speculation has…

As the stage is set for the grand finale of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), former Nigerian international goalkeeper Alloy Agu has called on the Super Falcons to give nothing less than 100% concentration if they are to overcome a resurgent Moroccan side and lift their record-extending 10th continental title. The eagerly anticipated clash will take place at the 21,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Saturday, where Nigeria will face the host nation Morocco in what promises to be a pulsating final between two undefeated teams. Speaking to Completesports.com, Agu emphasized that the Falcons must remain fully…

Arsenal are on the brink of completing the high-profile signing of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP in a deal worth £63.5 million. The transfer, one of the most anticipated of the summer window, is expected to be finalised over the weekend, with only minor details concerning add-on payments delaying the announcement. The 27-year-old has been granted permission to travel and undergo a medical with Arsenal, and he is expected to sign a five-year contract. Once completed, the deal will mark a major statement of intent by Mikel Arteta’s side as they aim to close the gap on Premier…

All eyes will be on Rabat’s Olympic Stadium this Saturday as Nigeria’s Super Falcons lock horns with host nation Morocco in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final. It’s a clash steeped in significance: Nigeria, the continent’s most decorated women’s team, are chasing a record-extending 10th title, while Morocco are bidding to make history by lifting the trophy for the first time. Kick-off is at 20:00 GMT, and the stakes could not be higher. Nigeria have been dominant throughout the tournament, conceding just once in five matches. Their semi-final victory over defending champions South Africa came courtesy of…

As the sun sets over Rabat, all eyes will turn to one of African women’s football’s most iconic rivalries: Nigeria versus South Africa. This evening’s semi-final clash at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) promises fireworks, history, and no shortage of emotion. Dubbed “a clash of titans” by former Super Falcons striker Desire Oparanozie, the match pits the continent’s most successful team against the current title holders. Nigeria, nine-time champions, have only failed to lift the trophy three times since the tournament’s inception. South Africa, on the other hand, are a team on the rise, looking to assert…