Author: Olukayode Oke

Former Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has signed a one-year contract with Belgian side Anderlecht. The 36-year-old was a free agent after leaving Nice by mutual consent last week, which meant he could join a new club outside the transfer window. “Anderlecht is just a massive club,” said the Denmark goalkeeper. “Former team-mates from different places have always talked so highly and warmly of this place. It was something I really wanted to become part of.” Schmeichel made 46 appearances in all competitions for Nice last season after joining the Ligue 1 side on a free transfer from Leicester. The…

Novak Djokovic reached a record 47th men’s Grand Slam semi-final with a straight-set win over Taylor Fritz at the US Open. The Serb, 36, prevailed 6-1 6-4 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium to continue his pursuit of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title. Djokovic achieved his victory despite temporarily appearing to struggle with the heat and humidity in New York. The three-time champion faces Frances Tiafoe or Ben Shelton in the last four. The winner of Tuesday’s all-American quarter-final between Tiafoe and Shelton will now carry the host nation’s hopes of a first men’s singles champion for 20 years following…

American teenager Coco Gauff stormed into the US Open semi-finals for the first time with an impressive victory over Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko. Gauff, 19, won 6-0 6-2 in 67 minutes to record her best run at the tournament. She will play 10th seed Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic or Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, the 30th seed, in the semi-finals on Thursday. “It feels great, I’m so happy,” said Gauff. “I lost in the quarter-finals stage last year and wanted to do better this year. I have a long way to go but I’m happy and will get ready for the…

Jorge Vilda, Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning head coach, has been sacked amid the ongoing Luis Rubiales scandal. Spain’s win was overshadowed by the country’s football federation president Rubiales kissing forward Jenni Hermoso, which she said was not consensual. Most of Vilda’s coaching staff resigned and 81 players refused to play for Spain in the aftermath. Rubiales has refused to resign but has been provisionally suspended by Fifa, football’s world governing body. In a statement, Spanish federation the RFEF did not give a specific reason for Vilda’s dismissal, saying he had been “a promoter of the values ​​of respect and sportsmanship…

CAF has appointed Algerian Lahlou Benbraham to referee  the AFCON qualifying match between Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe on Sunday. The fixture is scheduled to hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom. Benbraham will be assisted by fellow Algerians Brahim El Hamlaoui Sid Ali (Assistant Referee 1) and Mohammed Serradj (Assistant Referee 2). He would also have a compatriot as the fourth official in the form of Nabil Boukhalfa while Prosper Addo from West African neighbours Ghana will be the match commissioner. Togolese Komi Konyoh has been appointed as referee Assessor , while Ozoemena Joseph from…

Manchester City will face Club Leon or Urawa Reds in their opening match at the Club World Cup. City have qualified for the first time after winning the 2022-23 Champions League and start their campaign in the semi-finals. Mexican side Club Leon are the reigning Concacaf champions and Urawa Reds of Japan won the AFC Champions League. The tournament takes place in Saudi Arabia between 12-22 December with seven teams involved. Jeddah hosted the draw on Tuesday and all games in the Fifa tournament will be staged in the city. Entry is secured by winning one of the six continental confederation…

USMNT star Christian Pulisic, known as “Captain America,” is standing up for his country by lashing out at celebrities who attended the LAFC vs. Inter Miami match on Sunday night,  He sarcastically stated how someone should tell them they can also watch the “Stars & Stripes” play in person. Pulisic, 24, reposted a video to Instagram Stories, originally shared by the official MLS social media accounts, of the various celebrities in attendance at BMO Stadium for Messi’s first performance in Los Angeles. “Let them know they’re invited to US national team games too,” Pulisic captioned the post While Pulisic could be…

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has completed a move to Turkish side Besiktas. The Ivory Coast international, 29, is not part of United manager Erik ten Hag’s plans and spent last season on loan at Marseille. Bailly was former boss Jose Mourinho’s first signing when he joined from Villarreal in June 2016. He went on to make 113 appearances for United, scoring one goal, but has struggled with injuries. Bailly’s last competitive appearance for United was in a 3-1 win over Burnley in December 2021. A statement from the Turkish Super Lig side said: “Our club has reached an agreement…

Brazil have dropped Manchester United winger Antony following allegations of abuse by his former girlfriend. The Brazilian football federation said the 23-year-old had been withdrawn from the squad after “facts became public” that “need to be investigated”. Brazilian news outlet UOL published allegations made by Antony’s ex-partner on Monday. Police in Sao Paulo and Greater Manchester are investigating the claims, which the player has denied. “I can calmly state that the accusations are false and that the evidence already produced and the other evidence that will be produced demonstrate that I am innocent of the accusations made,” Antony said on social media.…

Uruguay’s new coach Marcelo Bielsa left veteran strikers Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez out of his squad Monday for the first two rounds of South American World Cup qualifying. Bielsa took the Uruguay job in May with the aim of rejuvenating the squad, and 30-year-old goalkeeper Sergio Rochet is the oldest player picked for the games against Chile in Montevideo on Friday and at Ecuador on Sept. 12. Cavani and Suárez are both 36 and are playing for South American clubs now. Cavani is at Boca Juniors in Argentina and Suárez plays for Gremio in Brazil. Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez is expected to lead Uruguay’s…

Sergio Ramos has returned home to continue his illustrious career with first club Sevilla after turning down interest from the Saudi Pro League. Ramos has been a free agent since leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract over the summer. He had spent two years in France, making 58 appearances and winning Ligue 1 twice. The veteran defender, who turned 37 in March and collected four Champions League titles during 16 glittering years with Real Madrid, isn’t ready to retire just yet. Sevilla have now confirmed that Ramos has returned to the club he played for until 2005. Born and…

Andre Onana has confirmed he will represent Cameroon moving forward. The Manchester United goalkeeper, 27, retired from international duty following a disagreement with manager Rigobert Song at the 2022 World Cup. But he is set to play for the Indomitable Lions again, writing in a statement on social media: “I answer my nation’s call with unshakeable certainty, aware that my return is not only to honour my dream but also to respond to the expectations and support of Cameroonians, who deserve a national team determined to shine. “In the face of manipulation, lies and abuse of power, I choose to…