Turkey defender Merih Demiral has revealed Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo congratulated him after he netted a brace against Austria.

Demiral scored twice against Austria at the ongoing Euro 2024 on July 2.

Ronaldo and Demiral were teammates at Juventus and played 25 times together in Turin from 2019 to 2021.

The defender helped his nation book a place in the quarterfinals of the competition alongside Ronaldo’s Portugal.

He scored twice for Turkey in a 2-1 win over Austria.

Demiral told Turkish publication Fanatik after the match: “Ronaldo called me and congratulated me on the victory and the goals.

“My dream is to be the champion of Europe, and with the victory over Austria, the dream has turned into a possible reality.”

Christian Nwoke is on the verge of leaving Sporting Lagos for a move abroad.

According to reports, the goalkeeper is attracting interest from an unnamed club in Denmark.

Nwoke was impressive for Sporting Lagos in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, last season.

The goalkeeper’s impending move away from Sporting Lagos will be a huge blow to the club, who are keen on securing immediate promotion back to the NPFL.

He recorded 11 clean sheets for Sporting Lagos last season.

The Lagos side are expected to look for a capable replacement should he eventually leave the club.

The Ogun State Government has given cash rewards to athletes from the state who were among the contingent that represented Nigeria at the 13th All African Games.

The Nigerian team for the All African Games, which held in February at Accra, Ghana, had about 11 athletes from the state.

The Ogun athletes won a total number of 19 medals including 11 Gold and 8 Bronze for Nigeria in Scrabble, Badminton, Athletics and Handball.

Governor Dapo Abiodun on Friday approved the sum of N500,000 each for all gold medalists and N250,000 each for all bronze holders, while 15 other athletes and the coaches from Ogun who made the Team Nigeria contingent to the All African Games received the sum of N150,000, respectively.

Among the athletes are current World record holder in 100 metres hurdle, Tobi Amusan, and Dorcas Adesokan.

Tobi Amusan, Adebisi Adekanbi, Joy Ola, Onyebuchi Chisom, Shagari John and 42 others who represented the state at both national and zonal sporting events benefited from the reward.

Receiving the athletes at the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta, the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka said the reception was to celebrate their achievements and to express the state government’s gratitude to them for making Ogun State proud on both national and the international stages.

Isiaka stated that the prize would not only enhance their morale, but also inspire others to give in their best as their efforts will be appreciated.

“To our own Ogun athletes who made the list of TEAM NIGERIA at the 13th African Games in Accra Ghana, your dedication and perseverance have paid off, and your names will go down in history as champions.

“You have proven that, with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Your achievements will continue to inspire a new generation of athletes, and your legacy will live on for years to come.

“For being so outstanding to have been picked from Team Ogun to represent our country, our sports loving governor, in his continuous effort to reposition sports in Ogun State has graciously approved a reward of N500,000.00 to all the gold medalists, N300,000.00 for silver medalists, N250,000.00 for bronze medalists while N150,000.00 goes to those that did not win and the coaches,” he said.

The commissioner, while reviewing the activities of the Sports Ministry in the last six months, said the state’s athletes have participated in 10 tournaments and have won 36 gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals.

Chelsea have appointed Seyi Olofinjana into a talent management role covering Africa, The Athletic reports.

The remit of the new role with the Blues will cover recruitment recommendations across the region, working in conjunction with a newly-appointed scout that will cover Africa.

The 44-year-old is also the executive director of Imperial FC in Nigeria’s third division.

Olofinjana oversaw the development and procurement of football talents in Nigeria including Taiwo Awoniyi, who joined Liverpool in 2015, and is now at Nottingham Forest.

Over the last two decades many African players including the likes of Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Mikel John Obi, have enjoyed huge success at Chelsea.

But they were mostly bought from other clubs having already made their transition to Europe.

The roll out of a dedicated operation in the region reflects a desire to procure talent earlier in their journeys.

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino has congratulated Rangers for winning the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, title.

Rangers were crowned NPFL champions for the eighth time last month.

The Flying Antelopes won the title with a game to spare after defeating Bendel Insurance 2-0 at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Stadium.

Infantino took to his Instagram story to congratulate the Flying Antelopes, writing, “Congratulations Rangers International FC on being crowned 2023-24 champions of Nigeria,” while resharing an official image of Rangers.

Rangers last won the NPFL title in 2016 before winning it this season.

The Enugu club and Remo Stars will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League next season.

Evelyn Ijeh hopes to make more impact at Italian club, AC Milan, DAILY POST reports.

Evelyn, who is the daughter of former Nigeria international, Peter Ijeh, signed a three-year contract with the Rossoneri on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the club following her arrival from Mexican outfit, Tigres Femenil.

She scored four goals in 19 league appearances for AC Milan.

“Obviously I want to be the best and help my team win,” she told the club’s official website.

Evelyn will hope to make more impact at the club next season.

Sodiq Ismail has been voted Remo Stars’ Player of the Season, DAILY POST reports.

The defender beat the club’s top scorer, Sikiru Alimi, Jide Fatokun and Ahmed Akinyele to the award.

Alimi and Akinyele came second and third, respectively.

Ismail won the highest number of votes ahead of the other nominees.

“After a stellar 2023/24 outing, our Player of the Season is… Sodiq Ismail!,” Remo Stars wrote on X.

Ismail recorded 15 assists in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, last season.

He earned a call-up to the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

Veteran tactician, Gbenga Ogunbote has agreed to sign a new contract with Nigeria Premier Football League outfit, Shooting Stars, DAILY POST reports.

Ogunbote’s previous deal with the Oluyole Warriors expired at the end of last season.

The former Sunshine Stars head coach, DAILY POST will be in the dugout again at the club next season.

The experienced coach joined the former NPFL champions two years ago.

Shooting Stars finished fourth last season narrowly missing out on a place on the continent.

They will aim to challenge for the title next season.

UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body, CFCB, has cleared Manchester City and Manchester United to take part in European competition next season.

Both City and LaLiga side Girona qualified for the Champions League.

There were doubts over whether both teams will be allowed to play in the competition, as they are both part of the City Football Group.

United, meanwhile, earned a Europa League ticket by winning the FA Cup along with Nice. The Ligue 1 club is also under the control of Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group.

Two clubs under the same ownership being in one European competition creates a potential conflict with UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, and changes had to be made at board level for all four clubs to be admitted.

UEFA confirmed on Friday that there had been “significant changes made to the ownership, governance, and financial support of the concerned clubs” which would “substantially restrict the investors’ influence and decision-making power”.

The shares held in Girona and Nice have been transferred to independent trustees “through a blind trust structure established under the supervision of the CFCB”.

The measure applies for the 2024/2025 season, after which the shares will transfer back to City Football Group and INEOS.

Arsenal have agreed terms with Bologna defender, Riccardo Calafiori.

The Gunners offered Calafiori a five-year contract, which is valid until June 2029.

The Premier League are now in discussions with Bologna over a €50 million transfer fee.

FC Basel are expected to receive 50 per cent of the sale.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, wrote on X: “Arsenal have agreed terms of Riccardo Calafiori’s contract, valid until June 2029.

“Arsenal and Bologna are discussing over fee, as request remains around €50 million.

“FC Basel would receive 50% of the sale over €4.5 million — they’re also aware of talks ongoing, nothing sealed yet.”