Author: Olukayode Oke

England reached the Women’s World Cup final for the first time as they spoiled co-hosts Australia’s party on a historic evening in Sydney. Silencing a sell-out crowd at Stadium Australia with their 3-1 victory, the Lionesses became the first England football team since 1966 to reach a senior final on the world stage. It caps a sensational two years under manager Sarina Wiegman as England, crowned European champions for the first time last year on home soil, showed their superiority and know-how to see off an Australia side spurred on by a nation who have been inspired by the Matildas’…

Manchester City have accepted an undisclosed offer from Al-Nassr for Spain defender Aymeric Laporte. The 29-year-old made 43 starts during 2021-22 but coach Pep Guardiola used Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake more often during City’s Treble-winning season. City then spent £77m to bring in another left-sided defender this summer in Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol, 21. Laporte could join the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic and Alex Telles at Al-Nassr. City signed Laporte, who switched his international allegiance from France to Spain in 2021, from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018 for £57m, then a club record fee. Guardiola had taken charge of City…

Brazil star Neymar has completed a move from French champions Paris Saint-Germain to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, the clubs confirmed Tuesday. News flew around on Sunday that Brazil’s joint all-time top scorer Neymar was close to accepting personal terms with Al Hilal after the clubs agreed a transfer fee of €90 million ($98.6m). “I have achieved a lot in Europe and enjoyed special times, but I have always wanted to be a global player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places,” Neymar said. “I want to write new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy…

Lionel Messi shrugged off an injury scare to score his ninth goal in six games as Inter Miami beat Philadelphia Union to reach the Leagues Cup final. The Argentine World Cup winner scored Miami’s second goal in a 4-1 victory, a day after rolling his ankle in training. Josef Martinez, Jordi Alba and David Ruiz scored for Miami, with Alejandro Bedoya on target for the hosts. Miami will now play Nashville SC in Saturday’s final (Sunday, 02:00 BST). The result also means Miami qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup regional tournament next season, which may open up a route into…

Nigeria is no longer in the race for qualification for the male basketball event of the Paris 2024 Olympics after the D’Tigers exited the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Lagos winless on Tuesday. The Nigerian senior male basketball team lost 68-77 on the second day of the tournament for Mali and Senegal to celebrate making it to the last four. Nigeria led Mali by as many as nine points in the first half, but what happened in the third quarter was an immeasurable disaster for the hosts. The D’Tigers stepped on the floor knowing that only a win would be…

Nigerian musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, is set to perform at the 50th Professional Footballers’ Association, PFA, award. The event is scheduled to take place at the Lowry Theatre, Manchester on Tuesday, August 29th. The singer made this announcement on his Twitter account. “Ballers! Are you ready? We bringing some TIMELESS vibes to you at the 50th PFA AWARDS in Manchester on the 29th of August ! Let’s have an unforgettable night!”. The PFA is the union for professional association footballers in England and Wales, with over 5,000 members across the divisional leagues. The award ceremony voted for…

Odion Ighalo has linked up with Saudi Arabia Professional League side, Al Wehda. The former Super Eagles forward put pen to paper on a two-year contract. The Mecca -based outfit announced Ighalo’s arrival on Tuesday. The 34-year-old left former Saudi Arabia Professional League champions, Al Hilal in June following the expiration of his contract. The former Watford and Manchester United striker previously played for another Saudi club, Al Shabab. Ighalo was the top scorer in the Saudi League with 20 goals two seasons ago. He won the league title and Kings Cup during his time at Al Hilal.

Former Spain captain, Sergio Ramos, congratulated the Spanish women’s national team on reaching their first World Cup final. The 2010 World Cup winner and Real Madrid legend, Ramos, put a congratulatory message on his Instagram stories for the nation’s women’s side after their successful run to the World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand. Spain, in their first-ever Women’s World Cup semi-final, beat Sweden to reach their maiden World Cup final. Second-half substitute, Salma Paralluelo, once again proved to be the difference maker and then captain Olga Carmona put Spain ahead after Sweden equalized late in the game. La…

Kepa Arrizabalaga said he wants to stay at Real Madrid for the long term as he was unveiled as the club’s latest signing on Tuesday, after arriving on loan to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois. Madrid moved quickly to sign goalkeeper Kepa — who had been on the brink of joining Bayern Munich from Chelsea — when No.1 Courtois suffered an ACL tear in training last week. The Spain international, 28 joins Madrid just one game into the new LaLiga season, which saw Andriy Lunin start in goal in a 2-0 win away at Athletic Club. “Let’s hope so,” Kepa said in a news conference, when asked if he’d like to see…

Kevin de Bruyne could miss the next four months of the season as Manchester City decide whether he needs surgery on a hamstring injury, manager Pep Guardiola says. The 32-year-old limped off after 23 minutes in City’s opening win against Burnley at Turf Moor on Friday. De Bruyne also went off injured during the Champions League final win over Inter Milan in June. “It’s a serious injury,” said Guardiola. The Belgium international missed all of City’s pre-season matches and returned as a second-half substitute in the Community Shield defeat by Arsenal. “We have to decide if he needs surgery or…

Arsenal have signed Spanish goalkeeper David Raya on a season-long loan from Brentford with the option to make the move permanent. Raya, 27, will provide competition for England keeper Aaron Ramsdale and has taken the number 22 shirt. He has also signed a new two-year contract with Brentford to ensure the deal could be completed quickly. “I’m over the moon to be able to take this challenge in my career and make the step up,” Raya said. Brentford director of football Phil Giles explained Raya’s contract extension was a “fall-back position” in the event that the transfer did not become…

Bayern Munich are reportedly in talks to sign David de Gea on a free transfer but could face a problem with his wage demands. The Spaniard left Manchester United this summer after a 12-year stint at Old Trafford, in which he made 545 appearances and broke the club’s all-time clean sheet record. De Gea was United’s top earner with a £375,000-a-week salary with the Red Devils decided not to renew his contract, opting to bring in a more modern goalkeeper in the shape of Andre Onana instead. De Gea, a free agent, is heavily linked to Saudi Arabia but according…