Author: Olukayode Oke

Jamaica manager Lorne Donaldson said his team had “never had this much fun” after reaching the Women’s World Cup last 16 for the first time, leaving Brazil devastated. They battled out a cagey encounter in Melbourne and Jamaica put in a stubborn defensive display to ensure their impressive tournament still has another chapter. The Reggae Girlz, ranked 43rd in the world, are unbeaten and have kept three clean sheets in the group stages of their second World Cup, having conceded 12 goals in three defeats in 2019’s competition. “We were not expected to be in the World Cup in 2019,”…

France manager Herve Renard warned his players “not to take anything for granted” as they survived a scare to beat Panama and finish top of Group F at the Women’s World Cup. After Panama led through Marta Cox’s superb free-kick, France took control in Sydney with Kadi Diani scoring a hat-trick. But Panama pulled two goals back, and Renard was unhappy his side eased off. “I just think they were looking for easy way out tonight,” he said. “We were 5-1 up, with the game in the bag… you see this often in football. It was poor attitude from the…

Sweden beat Argentina to make it three wins from three at the Women’s World Cup, clinching top spot in Group G and a mouth-watering last-16 clash with the USA. With first place essentially guaranteed thanks to a vastly superior goal difference, Sweden made nine changes in Hamilton and lacked the cohesion of their first two games but still had too much for their opponents. After a fiercely contested hour, Sweden’s extra quality shone through, with Rebecka Blomqvist finding space in the box to power home Sofia Jakobsson’s cross from close range. Elin Rubensson put the result beyond doubt with a…

South Africa are through to the last 16 after claiming their first Women’s World Cup win with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Italy in Wellington. Thembi Kgatlana’s 92nd-minute winner proved the difference after Italy fought back to level with an Arianna Caruso header. A draw would have been enough to take Italy into the knockout rounds. South Africa will play Group E winners the Netherlands on Sunday. After earning a first World Cup point in their 2-2 draw with Argentina, South Africa have shown significant progress from their debut appearance at the tournament in 2019, when they lost all three…

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly asked Real Madrid to include either Rodrygo or Eduardo Camavinga in the deal for Kylian Mbappe if they are unwilling to match their €250 million asking price for the forward. As per a report in El Nacional, PSG are demanding one of Rodrygo or Camavinga in return from Real Madrid this summer if Mbappe moves to Los Blancos, in addition to financial compensation. PSG manager Luis Enrique is keen on working with the aforementioned players and has asked the Parisians to go ahead with the deal. Enrique reportedly believes that he can challenge at the top…

Arsenal have agreed a deal with Brentford to sign their 27-year-old Spain goalkeeper David Raya, who is valued at £40m.  Manchester City want to sign RB Leipzig’s Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol, 21, before facing Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday.  Manchester City are keen on Rennes’ 21-year-old Belgium winger Jeremy Doku as a replacement for Riyad Mahrez.  Manchester City see Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise, 21, as an option to replace Mahrez. Palace manager Roy Hodgson says it will be difficult to keep the France Under-21 international this summer.  Bayern Munich’s £85m bid for England striker Harry Kane, 30, has been turned down as Tottenham want more than £100m.  Bayern are confident of agreeing a…

World football governing body, FIFA says the 2023 World Cup prize money will be paid directly to the players without interference from a third party. Fatma Samoura, FIFA secretary-general who made the disclosure in a viral video, noted that the decision is due to unpaid allowance issues involving the Super Falcons of Nigeria. Recall that the Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum, disclosed in the lead-up to the World Cup, that some players are owed “per diem and bonuses” from two years ago. Samoura, in the video, acknowledged that “things have been tough” for the Falcons, adding that FIFA will for…

Gianluigi Buffon is set to announce his retirement from professional football. The legendary former Juventus and Italy goalkeeper has spent the last two seasons playing for boyhood club Parma in Serie B, making 43 appearances. He did sign a contract extension with Parma in February 2022 which would have taken his stay until next summer, but will instead call time on a 28-year career imminently. Buffon, 45, began his career at Parma in 1995, playing 220 times for them before joining Juventus for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper. The Italian spent 17 years at Juventus, winning nine Serie A titles and remaining with the…

Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum, has said his team is destined for something special at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The nine-time African champions are already through to the Round of 16 at the competition. Waldrum’s side were unbeaten in the group stage, with one draw and two draws in three outings. It’s the first time the Super Falcons will achieve the feat at the Women’s World Cup. Nigeria will take on England in the Round of 16 on Monday, August 7. “I just feel like they all believe we are destined for something special at this World…

Al Nassr have officially announced the signing of Sadio Mane from Bayern Munich. Mane will link up with new team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the new season. The 31-year-old only joined Bayern from Liverpool last summer. However, the Senegal international endured a difficult year in Germany, which also saw him suspended by the Bundesliga champions following an alleged altercation with teammate Leroy Sané. Mane joins a growing list of high-profile footballers who have left European teams to sign lucrative contracts with teams in Saudi Arabia. He will earn around £650,000 a week with the Saudi Pro League side. Karim Benzema…

Stefano Sensi scored in the 83rd minute as Inter Milan won 2-1, coming from a goal down to defeat French champions, Paris Saint Germain for the first time ever. In a pre-season friendly match played on Tuesday at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, PSG surrendered a lead as two goals in two minutes secured a late win for Inter Milan. Vitinha scored a wonderful goal after receiving a pass from Carlos Soler to give the French champions the lead in the 62nd minute. Sebastiano Esposito connected to a pass from Frattesi to equalize for Inter Milan, nine minutes before…

Brazil midfielder Fabinho has joined Al-Ittihad from Liverpool on a three-year deal, the Saudi club announced on Monday. Financial details were not disclosed, but British media reported the Saudi Pro League champions paid £40 million ($51.33 million) for the 29-year-old. Al-Ittihad posted a video on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, with the title “Tigers are permitted to pass” in reference to media reports suggesting the deal might be delayed due to the breed of Fabinho’s dogs which are prohibited from entering Saudi Arabia. The video featured the Brazilian midfielder holding a tiger and saying: “I’m Tiger.” “Today I leave my home.…