Author: Olukayode Oke

Nigeria’s quartet, Dubem Nwachukwu, Patience Okon George, Ezekiel Nathaniel, and Imaobong Nse Uko out of 4x400m mixed relay event at this year’s World Athletics Championships after finishing 7th in Heat 2. Although they ran a season-best of 3:14:38, it however failed to claim even one of the non-automatic qualification spots. Nwachukwu ran an impressive lead leg(1st leg)  from the 9th lane, but when Okon took over Nigeria fell back. Uko who ran anchor(4th leg)  couldn’t improve on the position Nathaniel was on when he handed her the baton. Nigeria finished 12th on the log (out of 16) in the overall…

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is reportedly being pursued by Al-Ittihad, which would seem him reunite with Karim Benzema. The Saudi Pro League side have been in touch with the player’s entourage over a potential move to the club, which would see him again share the dressing room with former Real Madrid teammate Benzema and compatriot N’Golo Kante. Both Kante and Benzema have engaged with their fellow French player and have tried to convince him to shift base to the Middle East. However, Varane has reportedly turned down their approach as he wants to continue in Europe for at least…

Kosovare Asllani’s stunning second-half strike sealed victory for Sweden as they beat Australia to finish third at the Women’s World Cup. She rifled in a shot from the edge of the area to add to Fridolina Rolfo’s first-half penalty as Sweden won the bronze medal match for the second World Cup in succession. Despite the defeat, this represents co-hosts Australia’s best ever World Cup finish as their efforts in this tournament have captured the hearts of the fans in green and gold but the Matildas were unable to end on a high. Rolfo’s penalty gave Peter Gerhardsson’s side the lead…

Brazil coach Fernando Diniz called up Neymar and Vinicius Junior Friday for the opening matches of the Selecao’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, but left out Lucas Paqueta, who faces a sports-betting investigation in Britain. Still smarting from their elimination by Croatia in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, five-time champions Brazil will launch their qualifying campaign against Bolivia on September 8 in Belem, in northern Brazil, then play Peru on September 12 in Lima. It is the first squad announcement for 49-year-old Brazilian Diniz, who took over from Tite in the wake of the Selecao’s disappointing run in…

England captain Harry Kane had a debut to remember as he scored and set up a goal for defending champions Bayern Munich in their season opener against Werder Bremen. Kane swept a low right-footed effort past home goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka from 15 yards to double Bayern’s lead. He had earlier assisted the first of Leroy Sane’s two goals with a deft clip over the top inside four minutes. Mathys Tel rounded off a comfortable victory for Thomas Tuchel’s side late on. “I was a little bit nervous [and] excited to play the game of course,” Kane told broadcaster DAZN after…

Italy have named former Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti as their new manager following the departure of Roberto Mancini. Spalletti, 64, left Napoli in the summer after guiding the club to their first Serie A title in 33 years. He had planned to take a year-long sabbatical but has now decided to make a swift return to football. Former Manchester City manager Mancini, 58, resigned as Italy boss on 13 August. He led the national team for five years and guided them to victory at Euro 2020 when they beat England on penalties in the final at Wembley. However, Italy failed…

Thierry Henry is set to be appointed the new head coach of the France U-21 team. According to ESPN, the French Football Federation (FFF) has decided to appoint the 46-year-old over Sabri Lamouchi, Jocelyn Gourvennec and Julien Stephan. Henry’s last coaching job was as the Belgium assistant at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He will now replace Sylvain Rippoll following France’s poor outing at the Euros this summer, where they were eliminated by Ukraine at the quarter-final stage. Henry has struggled during his short managerial career following unsuccessful spells in charge of Monaco and Montreal. It is believed Henry…

Chelsea have completed the signing of Belgium midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton for an initial £53m. The 19-year-old has signed a seven-year contract in a deal which could rise by a further £5m with add-ons. Lavia made 34 appearances in all competitions last season but could not help prevent Saints’ relegation from the Premier League. “I’m really happy to join Chelsea and be a part of this exciting project,” said Lavia. “It’s an amazing football club with a great history and I’m really excited to get started. “I can’t wait to meet all my new team-mates and build a chemistry…

Liverpool have signed midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart for a fee of about £16.2m (19m euros), subject to a work permit and international clearance. The 30-year-old Japan international has agreed a four-year contract. Liverpool have brought in Endo after missing out on Ecuador international Moises Caicedo and Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia to Chelsea. Endo can also play at centre-back but has been signed primarily as a central defensive midfielder. “It feels amazing,” he said. “It’s always been a dream to play in the Premier League and with one of the biggest clubs in the world. It’s a dream come true…

Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has announced his retirement from football at the age of 34 after his contract with Southampton expired. Walcott has made the decision to call it quits after his contract with Southampton expired at the end of last season. The 34-year-old brings down the curtain on a glittering career at the highest level that saw him make a total of 563 career appearances at club level, scoring 129 goals. He won the FA Cup twice during his time with Arsenal, while he earned 47 caps for England, scoring eight times at international level. In an emotional…

Nigeria’s first lady, Oluremi Tinubu has rewarded Super Falcons players with $10,000 each for their exploits at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Super Falcons made it to the Round of 16 at the competition before bowing out on penalties against the Three Lionesses of England. The nine-time African champions caught the eye with their impressive performance in the competition. Tinubu hosted the players in Abuja this week and praised them for their “unbreakable spirit and unwavering strength”. Defender Osinachi Ohale eulogized Tinubu for her kind gesture. “We are grateful for this unexpected gesture because for several years we’ve…

Nigeria International, Wilfred Ndidi could be heading to Bayern Munich this summer. The Bavarians are looking to sign a defensive midfielder as Thomas Tuchel is keen to bolster his squad Kicker reports that Leicester City’s Ndidi is among the players being considered for the role. Bayern are also looking at Ibrahim Sangaré of PSV Eindhoven, Benfica midfielder Florentino and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni. Leicester City were relegated to the English second tier competition last season and has lost most of their valuable players Ndidi has just one year left on his contract and City may be looking to cash-in on…