Ex-Premier Chelsea striker, Chris Sutton, has predicted the scorelines of the two Euro 2024 semi-final clashes....Read Full Article

France will play Spain in the first game on Tuesday, while England face the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Sutton got all four quarter-final results correct in his BBC column, and the Three Lions will be hoping he has repeated the trick for the semis.

Sutton believes England will defeat the Netherlands 2-1 and qualify for their second consecutive Euros final.

He has gone with the same scoreline for France against Spain, despite being impressed by the Spaniards so far.

If Sutton’s predictions come though, the final will be between France and England.

Anthony Joshua has urged two-weight UFC champion Alex Pereira to switch to boxing....Read Full Article

The Brazilian retained his light-heavyweight title in fine style against Jiri Prochazka last month, adding another knockout to his impressive resume.

Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion, sent Pereira a message on social media, saying: “Alex Pereira should make a boxing debut one day.”

Pereira has quickly become of the UFC’s biggest stars, winning world titles in two divisions since making his octagon debut in 2021.

“I’m honoured you think so,” Pereira said in response to Joshua. “It’s always been my dream – [but] I’m 37, I cannot make a career in it, so who do you recommend I fight?”

Joshua replied by saying the “options are endless”, urging Pereira to get in touch with his management company about transitioning to boxing.

Pereira headlined UFC 300 earlier this year and stepped in at two weeks’ notice to replace Conor McGregor as the main event for UFC 303.

He would not be the first mixed martial arts star to try boxing in recent times, with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou taking on Tyson Fury and Joshua in a boxing ring.

Nigeria midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has expressed his excitement after linking up with Serie A club, Lazio....Read Full Article

Dele-Bashiru joined the Biancolestti from Turkish Super Lig outfit, Hatayspor, on a season-long loan deal on Sunday.

Lazio have the obligation to sign him on a permanent contract next summer.

The 23-year-old was presented to the media and fans on Tuesday.

Dele-Bashiru stated that he is determined to make a big impact at the club.

“I am very excited to join Lazio. It is a big club, with incredible fans, in a big city. I can’t wait to start the season,” he told the club’s official website.

“The club first showed interest in me in January, but at that point I was just focused on finishing the season with Hatayspor. Subconsciously, however, I already knew what I wanted and that this was the next destination.

“I hope to play as many games as possible, hoping to win some trophies and finish the season in the top four in the league table.”

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.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has slammed Cristiano Ronaldo following the legendary forward’s performances at Euro 2024....Read Full Article

Wright said that Ronaldo simply cannot deal with the level of competition at these stages.

Ronaldo came to Germany on the back of a season that saw him bag 35 Saudi Pro League goals.

He, however, failed to influence his team’s performances.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Wright said, via GOAL, “The way he played in Euro 2024, as great as he’s been, surely Diogo Jota must be disappointed that he couldn’t get on the pitch. What I saw of him, he can’t cut it at this level now.”

Ronaldo will be over 40 years old when Portugal play their next major tournament being the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

It is unlikely he will play a major role in that competition.

As the count -down to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics in France gathers momentum, plans are underway to hold a pre- Olympics Seminar at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) Lagos....Read Full Article

According to the Director-General of the National Institute for Sports Professor Olawale Moronkola, “The Olympics is sports greatest Fiesta which brings together diverse people of the world under an atmosphere of friendship. As a sports Institute, we decided to partner with Newstap Communication to provide a platform to discuss Team Nigeria preparations and how to leverage on the benefits of the Olympics. As a research and training institute, we have a responsibility to provide quality training and research information that will help our athletes perform well at the games. We are not just interested in mere academic exercise, but to provide scientific information to help our team perform well at the event.”

The one -day Seminar which will take place at the Conference Hall of the NIS on July 16th 2024 will attract

Ex Olympians, athletes and other sports stakeholders who will be speaking on preparations for the games.

Professor Moronkola further stated that this collaboration with Newstap Media Ltd is in line with the renewed vision of NIS to partner with other organizations to promote sports development in the

country.

Founder of the online media platform Newstap, George Aluo affirmed…”We have been at the forefront of championing Nigerian sports growth over the years, so this is another way to raise the bar. We believe that the objectives of this seminar will be beneficial to the strategic role of using sports as vehicle for national development.”

Super Falcons star, Jennifer Echegini has officially announced her departure from Italian club, Juventus....Read Full Article

Echegini only joined the Bianconeri in January after leaving American club, Florida State Seminoles.

The midfielder announced her departure through the social media.
“I wanted to take this moment and share my gratitude for the time we have shared. Despite all that may have been said I’m extremely grateful to have been part of this family,” she wrote on Instagram.

“Living and playing in Turin has been an amazing journey filled with a lot of growing and learning for me. I will cherish these memories and carry them on to my next journey.

“Thank you to my teammates and coaches for making me feel part of the family. Working alongside dedicated and inspiring women has been the most rewarding experience. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

“Lastly, thank you for your unwavering support throughout the season.”

The 23-year-old registered 10 goals and one assist for Juventus.

Echegini won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the best U-23 player in the Serie A last season.

She is currently with the Super Falcons squad for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have kickstarted preparations for their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in 16 years, as their camp in the city of Jerez de la Frontera outside Sevilla has come alive with most of the invited players in camp....Read Full Article

With 12 players at breakfast on Monday, Team Administrator Mary Oboduku told thenff.com that two more players were being expected at the team’s Hotel Barceló Montecastillo Golf and Resort by Monday afternoon.

“We started training on Sunday, and the camp is calm. The players are in very high spirits as they look forward to the tournament in France,” Oboduku told thenff.com.

Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie are at the head of the squad already in camp, with goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Chidinma Okeke and Nicole Payne, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini, and forward Esther Okoronkwo also in. Alternate players, goalkeeper Morufa Ademola and forward Gift Monday are also in camp.

Defenders Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie were being expected at the team’s hotel Monday afternoon.

The nine-time African champions, who last played at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in China in 2008, will take on reigning Olympic champions Canada in a training match in Sevilla on Wednesday, 17th July.

Four players are tied on three goals each at Euro 2024....Read Full Article

However, only Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo is still in the tournament.

That means, unless another player scores two or more goals, just one more goal from Gakpo would bring him the Golden Boot.

The other players with three goals are Georges Mikautadze of Georgia, Jamal Musiala of Germany and Ivan Schranz of Slovakia.

Of the 11 players with two goals, five are still in the tournament.

They include Gakpo’s international team-mate, Donyell Malen, as well as two players apiece for Spain and England.

The Delta State government will today present an 18-seater bus to the Zenith Bank Principals’ Cup Champions 2023, Umuaja Mixed Secondary School....Read Full Article

Recall that Umuaja Mixed Secondary school defeated Government College Ughelli 2-0 to emerge champions of the 6th edition of the competition sponsored by Zenith Bank in partnership with the government of Delta State, December 1, 2023  .

Secretary to the state government , Kingsley Emu, is expected to present the bus to the school on behalf of Zenith Bank, the sponsors.

The event billed for the Delta State secretariat takes place at 10am with the commissioner, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu and the permanent secretary, Sir Austin Oghoro, expected in attendance.

Top shots of the sponsors led by the Regional Head, Mr Lucky Ighale and Main Branch Head, Mr. Ifeanyi Atama, will also be at the ceremony.

Project Consultant and CEO of Hideaplus, Tony Pemu, told newsmen on Monday that the victorious school will be led by Principal,  F Akpotowho, just as the team captain Ifeakachuckwu Odinisu will be at the secretariat for the brief ceremony.

Pemu said: “Everything is set. It is an annual thing. The winner of the past editions also collected a bus as part of the prizes. We are happy as we have also started plans for the 2024 edition of the competition taking place later in the year.

“We thank the Delta State Government and the sponsors, Zenith Bank, for giving these young ones something to look forward to every year.”