Former Manchester United goalkeeper, David De Gea, is in talks with two Saudi Pro League clubs over a potential return to football....Read Full Article

According to sports journalist, Rudy Galetti, the 33-year-old has held talks with Al-Shabab and another unnamed Saudi Pro League side.

De Gea has been without a club after his contract at United ended at the end of 2022/2023.

The Spaniard left Old Trafford after a 12-year spell having joined from Atletico Madrid at 21.

After a difficult start to life in England, De Gea quickly became a fan favourite.

However, the last couple of seasons saw his form drop and manager Erik ten Hag decided to replace him with Andre Onana.

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has debunked his rumours retirement from the national team, Super Eagles, saying he only took a break from the team....Read Full Article

LEADERSHIP reports that the former Leicester City striker did not feature in any of Nigeria’s seven matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire where the team finished as runners-up, as well as the last two World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic respectively.

Musa last started a game for the Super Eagles in 2021 during a World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde when he played 67 minutes in a 2-0 victory.

His most recent appearance for three time African champions was a seven-minute sub in a friendly game against Guinea in January.
But speaking to newsmen in Kaduna at the weekend after the AREWA Celebrities Friendly Match he organised, Musa described his alleged exit from the national team as a rumour.

“I only took a little break from the National Team. But I didn’t exit the team,” he said, putting to rest speculation about his future with the Super Eagles.
According to him, the friendly match was put together to foster unity and strengthen relationships among northern Nigerian celebrities as well as promoting a sense of community and togetherness.

He emphasized his desire for a united front among AREWA celebrities, stating, “I want us to come together as one family, with love, affection and one voice.”
Musa has also been without a club since his contract with Turkish side Sivasspor was terminated in February.

President of world football-governing body (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, has personally congratulated the president of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau on the latter’s 60th (Diamond Jubilee) birthday anniversary, on Sunday, 7th July 2024....Read Full Article

Infantino wrote: “I would like to extend my best wishes to you on this very special day. As we celebrate your birthday, it is the occasion to reflect on our collaboration and to thank you for all your work and for your contribution to the development of the sport that unites us all, football.

“May this year bring you good health, joy, success and fulfilment on both a personal and professional level.”

Gusau, born on 7th July 1964, served as chairman of Zamfara State Football Association and also as chairman of the Zamfara State Sports Commission. He was a special adviser to the Governor of Zamfara State, before serving two terms as member of the NFF executive committee and chairman of chairmen of Nigeria Football.

A FIFA and CAF Security Officer and Member of the Organizing Committee for the African Nations Championship, Gusau mounted the saddle as President of NFF on the last day of September 2022.

Rivers State government has expressed total confidence in the ability of Rivers United’s head coach, Finidi George....Read Full Article

The state commissioner for sports, Chris Green stated this in a chat with the club’s media.
Green said the state government is expecting the best results from the former Super Eagles player.
Finidi was appointed as a replacement for Stanley Eguma, who was sacked following the team’s struggles in the NPFL last season.

“We have decided to bring in our own, Finidi George, a serial winner who has won domestically and internationally,” Green stated to Rivers United Media.

“He belongs to the greatest in football in Nigeria, bringing home the Cup of Nations in 1994.

“We are blessed to have him back home, and we expect nothing but the best from him.

“This time, it’s not business as usual. Discipline is our watchword. We won’t tolerate sabotage. The best must come to Rivers United.”

Defender Stephen Manyo is attracting interest from the trio of Remo Stars, Kano Pillars and Akwa United....Read Full Article

DAILYPOST reports that the three clubs are desperately in need of a defensive reinforcement ahead of the new season.

Manyo is currently a free agent after leaving Katsina United.

Kano Pillars are understood to have opened talks with the player.

Akwa United have also inquired about his availability.

Manyo previously played for Enyimba, Shooting Stars and Calabar Rovers in the past.

Sports minister development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has revealed that the Ministry in collaboration with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and other sports federation is putting the final touches on Team Nigeria’s preparation plans for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics....Read Full Article

The minister in a statement signed by his SA media, Diana-Mary Nsan, highlighted the extensive efforts being made to ensure Team Nigeria is well-prepared to compete for honours at the prestigious global event.

“Different sports are already embarking on the foreign leg of their preparations. The Super Falcons are currently in Spain, and the Basketball team has also opened foreign camp. Other teams will follow suit in the new week,” the Minister stated.

Senator Enoh emphasized the importance of pre-Olympic camping for athletes to achieve focus, fine-tuning, and a serene environment devoid of distractions. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for Team Nigeria’s Olympic preparations.

“I want to use this medium to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for all the support he has given Team Nigeria in preparation for the Olympic. he has always shown he has sports in his heart and we are more than glad to have him lead our nation at a time like this, ” Enoh said.

The Minister also highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Ministerial Podium Performance Committee, which has been providing regular reports and working closely with teams to ensure Nigeria’s athletes are in top form to secure medals at the Games.

“The Ministerial Podium Performance Committee has continued to give me reports, and teams are also working with them to ensure we return with medals from Paris. We are confident it will be a good outing for our nation,” he added.

Taheer Abubakar is on the verge of securing a move to President Federation Cup champions, El-Kanemi Warriors....Read Full Article

Abubakar will join the Maiduguri club from Nigeria National League side, Inter Lagos.

According to reports, Abubakar is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Borno Army.

Abubakar caught the attention of El-Kanemi Warriors during the NNL Super Eight playoff in Enugu.

His arrival will bolster Aliyu Zubairu’s team in the new season.

El-Kanemi Warriors are back in the Nigeria Premier Football League following their promotion last season.

The first Nigerian International Athletics Association (NIAA) sponsored secondary schools Athletics Invitational will hold on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the sports ground of Yaba College of Technology in Yaba, Lagos....Read Full Article

The event, the first to be sponsored by some former Nigeria track and field internationals under the auspices of the NIAA is not just for secondary schools in Lagos but all over Nigeria.

Respected athletics coach, Tony Osheku is the meet director and he told the media at the weekend that the event is not just to identify talents at the grassroot level which the secondary represents, it will also offer opportunities for U20 athletes to qualify for the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru which starts late August to early September.

‘The schools have always served as the breeding ground for talents and most of Nigeria’s former track and field stars behind the event started out competing in inter-house sports events in Lagos and all over Nigeria.

‘Based on their rise which saw most of them winning medals for their States and the country, they understand that the best way to keep the production line active is to provide competitions at secondary school level,’ said Osheku, who has coached athletes to the final of the World Athletics Championships and the podium at the Olympics.

Osheku also revealed there will be competition in selected events for athletes out of school and who are still U20.

‘We also want to use the event to give opportunities to our U20 athletes who are still seeking qualifications for the World U20 Championships in Lima. The deadline for qualification is August 4 and this event has been registered by World Athletics on its website which means it also serves as a qualifying competition for the World U20 event,” Osheku revealed.

Tens of thousands of fans have signed a petition, which is demanding that UEFA orders a replay of the Euro 2024 quarter-final between Germany and Spain....Read Full Article

The match which was played last Friday, saw the hosts lose 2-1 in extra time, with Mikel Merino heading in a 119th-minute winner.

Dani Olmo had opened the scoring in the second half, before Florian Wirtz volleyed in a dramatic 89th-minute equalizer for Germany.

The controversial moment came in the 23rd minute of extra time, when Spanish left back Marc Cucurella’s left hand blocked a shot from Jamal Musiala inside the penalty area.

Germany fans and players were adamant that this should have resulted in a penalty kick.

However, referee Anthony Taylor waved play on, with his VAR team also in agreement.

As at Monday morning, more than 30,000 have signed a petition via change.org asking for the game to be replayed.

France manager Didier Deschamps has come to the defence of his captain and star player Kylian Mbappé amid criticism of the striker’s Euro 2024 performances....Read Full Article

Mbappé, 25, has scored just once in the tournament — a penalty in the final group game against Poland — with France reaching the semifinals despite not scoring a goal from open play.

Deschamps substituted Real Madrid’s latest signing in extra time of their quarterfinal win over Portugal on penalties, with Mbappé saying he asked to be taken off.

Speaking on the French television show Téléfoot on Sunday, Deschamps reminded those criticising Mbappé of what he has already achieved in the sport.

“Don’t you think he has already made enough history, with what he has done so far?” the coach said. “He wants to make even more history.

“We did everything we could with him, with the medical staff, to get him to be here. During the preparation, he had a little back problem, too, but Kylian is here.”

Deschamps also responded to suggestions that if he is not entirely fit, Mbappé could be benched in order to try to kick-start the team’s spluttering attack.
The forward has been forced to play most of the tournament while wearing a mask, having broken his nose in a collision with Kevin Danso in his team’s opening group game against Austria.

“Even if he’s not 100%, I know very well that for the opponent, knowing he’s playing makes them think and forces them to adapt,” Deschamps said.

Mbappé, who scored a hat trick in his team’s 2022 World Cup final defeat and the fourth goal in their victory in the 2018 World Cup final, also has the support of teammates Randal Kolo Muani and Youssouf Fofana, who spoke at the team’s news conference on Sunday.

“Kylian is the player who scored three penalties in a World Cup final,” Fofana said. “I don’t know many players who have achieved this feat. I only know one.

“Whether it’s him or a player like Antoine [Griezmann] who is vice-captain, they have done things that most of the players in the dressing room haven’t done. When they talk, we listen.”

Kolo Muani added: “He [Mbappé] has this gift of carrying a group. He has so much experience — I think he was born to pull a group forward.”
France play Spain in their semifinal on Tuesday in Munich.