Morocco, captained by Ballon d’Or nominee Achraf Hakimi, could this week become the first African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. A matchday 7 win over Niger in Rabat will give the Atlas Lions an unassailable lead in Group E unless second-placed Tanzania triumph in Congo Brazzaville earlier that day. But a Tanzanian triumph will […]
Nigeria’s Super Falcons, on Tuesday, secured a spot in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in a tense semi-final clash. The match, played with high intensity, saw the Super Falcons take the lead in the first half through Rasheedat Ajibade, who calmly […]
Udinese and Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been handed a two-month ban by the Italian Football Federation following a high-profile betting scandal linked to a match against Lazio during the 2023/2024 season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The 24-year-old goalkeeper was found guilty of sporting misconduct after allegations emerged that he deliberately sought a yellow card […]
Zambiawomen’s national team head coach Nora Häuptle has admitted that Nigeria were the better side after her team’s crushing 5-0 defeat in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca on Friday. The Copper Queens boss did not mince words following the drubbing at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, conceding that her side […]
Oleksandr Usyk beat Daniel Dubois to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion with a fifth round knockout at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Victory saw Ukraine’s Usyk extend his unbeaten professional record to 24 fights as the WBA, WBC and WBO champion added his British opponent’s IBF belt to his collection. Early in the fifth […]
Victor Osimhen is on the verge of completing a permanent return to Galatasaray after the Turkish champions reached an agreement with Napoli for the Nigerian striker’s services. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Galatasaray have agreed a €75m (£65m) deal with the Serie A club for the 26-year-old forward, who spent last season on loan at […]
Paul Onuachu has suffered an ankle injury during a pre-season friendly that could sideline the Nigerian striker for up to four weeks, dealing Trabzonspor a significant early-season blow. The 31-year-old frontman, who only recently completed his permanent move from Southampton, sustained the injury in a warm-up match against Azerbaijani side Araz Nakhchivan. According to a […]
A decision on whether Crystal Palace can compete in next season’s Europa League has been delayed by Uefa. The Eagles’ place, earned by winning the FA Cup last season, has been under threat because of Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules, which prevents teams under the same ownership from competing in the same European competition. Co-owner John […]
Champions Liverpool will host Bournemouth on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 Premier League season, with Manchester United playing Arsenal at Old Trafford. Liverpool, who won the league in Arne Slot’s first season in charge, will begin their title defence at Anfield in the curtain-raiser on Friday, 15 August. Newly promoted Sunderland, back in the […]
The chief executive of Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal says that a loan move for Cristiano Ronaldo before the Club World Cup would have been “completely counter-intuitive” because he played for their “biggest opponent” Al-Nassr. Al-Hilal were linked with a possible deal for the 40-year-old Portugal forward after Fifa introduced an additional transfer window earlier […]
