Author: Olukayode Oke

Carlos Alcaraz will not participate in the group stage of the Davis Cup finals. The Spanish Tennis Federation confirmed that the world No. 1 is no longer part of the squad to face the Czech Republic, Serbia and South Korea. Alcaraz has been replaced in the team by 35-year-old Albert Ramos. Alcaraz’s omission ends the possibility of another potential match-up with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from Spain’s Davis Cup team after his US Open semi-final defeat to Daniil Medvedev on Friday. It is a further hit to their preparations for the group stages of the finals, with Spain…

Sao Tome and Principe head coach, Adriano Eusebio, says his side will fight hard to avoid another heavy defeat against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The True Patriots were pummelled 10-0 when they hosted the Super Eagles in the reverse fixture last June. Both teams will clash again in their final qualifying fixture for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Sunday. Eusebio insisted that his team would give their best against the Super Eagles. “We are here to fight and not lose heavily again. We can’t repeat the same mistakes we made…

The Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet said he feared a plane had crashed into his hotel after experiencing Friday’s devastating Morocco earthquake. The Belgian and his team are in Marrakesh for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo. The country’s interior ministry said more than 820 people have died as a result of the quake. Measuring magnitude 6.8, it sent people rushing into the streets in Marrakesh and other cities. Saintfiet described the experience as “shocking and terrible”. Sunday’s game, which was due to decide who goes through to next year’s AFCON finals in the Ivory Coast, was being played…

Neymar has surpassed Pele as Brazil’s male all-time top scorer with two goals in a 5-1 win over Bolivia. The forward, 31, who went into the World Cup qualifying match tied with legend Pele on 77 goals, missed a penalty before scoring twice in the second half on his 125th appearance. “I never imagined reaching this record. I’m no better than Pele or any other player for the national team,” he said. Pele, who died in December aged 82, scored 77 goals in 92 appearances between 1957 and 1971. He was widely regarded to be one of the greatest footballers to ever…

A sign of Djokovic’s greatness has been his ability to dominate much younger opponents on the biggest stages over recent years. With Djokovic’s technique, mentality and athleticism showing few signs of weakening, Shelton was the latest young pretender to be taught a lesson. The second seed enforced his quality and experience from the start, serving smartly and returning Shelton’s biggest weapon well before intensifying the pressure. Djokovic remained utterly calm and controlled to quieten the home crowd, further flattening the mood at the start of the third set. Shelton made a trip to the locker room in a bid to…

Carlos Alcaraz had his reign as US Open champion ended by Daniil Medvedev as the Russian set up another New York final against Novak Djokovic. The Spanish top seed lost 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 3-6 6-3 to Medvedev, ensuring there will be no repeat of the Wimbledon final between Alcaraz and Djokovic. Djokovic swatted aside young American Ben Shelton to move within one more win of a record-equalling 24th major title. The Serb, 36, won 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-4) to close in on Margaret Court’s tally. Alcaraz, 20, prevented Djokovic levelling Court when they met at the All England Club in…

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes marked his birthday with a goal as Portugal beat Slovakia to make it five wins from five in Euro 2024 qualifying. Fernandes, who turned 29 on Friday, struck just before half-time with a superb low finish into the far corner. He almost got an assist when he set up Cristiano Ronaldo, but the veteran forward fired off target. The win means Portugal are top of Group J with 15 points from a possible 15. Slovakia are second in the standings on 10 points as they suffered defeat for the first time in qualifying. Lukas Haraslin…

Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal became the youngest player and goalscorer for the Spanish national team in a thumping Euro 2024 qualifying win against Georgia. Yamal, aged 16 years and 57 days, came on for Dani Olmo just before half-time. He got Spain’s seventh in the 74th minute when fired in a cross. Alvaro Morata scored a hat-trick while a Solomon Kvirkvelia own goal and strikes from Olmo and Nico Williams completed the win. Winger Yamal took the youngest-player record from Gavi, who was 17 years and 62 days old when he made his Spain debut in 2021. It continues a…

Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho has joined Qatari side Al-Duhail on loan for the rest of the season. The Brazilian midfielder, 31, has made just two substitute appearances for Villa this term after scoring one goal in 22 matches in the previous campaign. His current contract at the Premier League club runs out in June 2026. Coutinho completed a permanent move to Villa from Barcelona in July 2022, six months after initially signing on loan. Villa’s manager at the time, Steven Gerrard, described Coutinho as a “brilliant signing for the club” after tempting the man he once captained at Liverpool to complete a…

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been suspended for an extra match and fined £100,000 after admitting he acted in an improper manner following his red card in a win at Newcastle United. The defender was sent off in the 28th minute for fouling Alexander Isak. Van Dijk was banned against Aston Villa on 3 September and will be unavailable to face Wolves on 16 September. He appeared to remonstrate with referee John Brooks prior to walking off the pitch. Netherlands centre-back Van Dijk, 32, also appeared to argue with the fourth official before making his way down the tunnel…

Nigerian forward, Emmanuel Dennis has completed his move to the Turkey Super Lig. Emmanuel Dennis who has failed to establish himself at Nottingham Forest after joining the club from Championship side, Watford a season ago, joined former Turkish champions Trabzonspor on a season-long loan. Dennis, who has yet to play for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this season, had the option of joining Saudi Pro League club Al-Taee or Trabzonspor. But the opportunity to remain in Europe made the Turkish side more appealing to the Nigeria international. According to a Turkish news outlet Sporx, Al-Taee gave up on their…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, has slammed Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for shunning the state and running the government from Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. This comes barely 24 hours after his wife, Betty, announced his return from Germany after being treated for an undisclosed ailment. Also confirming the development, the State Majority Leader, Wole Ogunmolasuyi, said Akeredolu was already in his Ibadan residence and would be there for a few days before heading to Ondo State. However, the Ondo PDP, in a statement on Friday, September 8, by its spokesman, Kennedy Peretei, described Akeredolu’s decision to stay in his Ibadan…