Tobi Amusan was unable to defend her women’s 100m hurdles title at the 2024 African Athletics Championship due to illness. The current world record holder had aimed to secure her third consecutive gold medal in the event. She had previously won the women’s 100m hurdles in 2018 in Asaba and two years ago in Mauritius. Had Amusan competed and won, she would have joined Maria Usifo and Glory Alozie as the only athletes to achieve three consecutive African titles in the women’s 100m hurdles. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Adaobi Tabugo has already advanced to the final. Team Nigeria secured two gold medals…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has secured the first gold medal at the 2024 African Athletics Championship held in Douala, Cameroon. Enekwechi dominated the men’s shot put event with a throw of 21.20m, setting a new championship record. This victory marks Enekwechi’s third consecutive African Championship title in shot put, following previous wins in Asaba and Mauritius. He now shares the record for the most gold medals won by a male shot putter in the championship’s history. In the women’s discus throw, Ashley Anumba claimed the gold medal with a final-round throw of 59.30m. She outperformed fellow Nigerian Obiageri Amaechi, who secured…
Manchester United’s new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, expressed his desire for the Red Devils to reach the level currently held by Real Madrid. However, he acknowledged that achieving this goal will require significant time and effort. Real Madrid currently holds titles in both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga. In contrast, Manchester United finished 8th in the Premier League last season but clinched the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the final. “We see areas for improvement across the board at Manchester United, and we intend to enhance every aspect,” Ratcliffe stated. “Our aim is…
Celeste Arantes, the mother of Brazilian football legend Pele, passed away on Friday at the age of 101 after spending several years in a vegetative state. Her death comes two years after her son’s passing. Arantes, who married Joao Ramos do Nascimento at 16, dedicated her life to caring for her children. She was also the mother of another son, Jair, who passed away from cancer in 2020, the same illness that claimed Pele’s life. Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, famously won three World Cups (1958, 1962, and 1970) and was the only player in history to achieve this…
Chelsea’s inability to secure Olise has prompted them to explore alternative options to bolster their attacking lineup, with reports suggesting their interest in Juventus winger Federico Chiesa. Known for his pace, dribbling ability, and goal-scoring prowess, Chiesa’s versatility on both flanks makes him an appealing target for Chelsea, who seek to enhance their forward depth and dynamism. This pursuit of Chiesa marks a strategic shift for Chelsea as they aim to fill the void left by Olise’s potential departure. His experience in Serie A and strong performances at the international level underline his potential as a valuable addition to the…
Roberto Martinez responded assertively to questions about Cristiano Ronaldo’s ability to handle a full Euro 2024 campaign, as Portugal’s manager adopted a defensive stance ahead of their clash with Turkey. Martinez defended Ronaldo’s capabilities despite concerns about his age and transition from the Saudi Pro League to the tournament. Highlighting Ronaldo’s extensive playing time and contributions, Martinez emphasized Ronaldo’s experience, goal-scoring prowess, and ability to create opportunities. “Cristiano brings invaluable experience, goal-scoring instincts, and the ability to create space,” Martinez stated. “His stats over the past year speak for themselves—he’s scored 51 goals in 50 games. Physically, he’s shown he…
Former French footballer Patrice Evra heavily criticized the officials following Netherlands’ 0-0 draw with France in the ongoing Euro 2024 championship in Germany. Evra asserted that the Dutch team had a legitimate goal disallowed during the match, specifically pointing out the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials’ decision to cancel Xavi Simons’s goal in the second half for offside. Speaking on Sony Sports Network’s Football Extraaa, Evra described the VAR’s ruling as “shocking” and humorously suggested that “Stevie Wonder was present in the VAR checking room tonight.” “It’s an appalling decision; that should have been counted as a goal. Someone needs…
N’Golo Kanté has made a triumphant return to the international stage, becoming the first player in Euro 2024 to clinch the Man of the Match award twice. His outstanding displays have revitalized his career and bolstered France’s campaign in the tournament. After a two-year absence from the French National Team, Kanté has proven that he remains a formidable force. He secured the top player accolade in France’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Austria. He continued his dominance in France’s subsequent match against the Netherlands, once again earning recognition as the standout player on the field. In the clash with the Netherlands,…
Turkey and Portugal are set to clash in their second Group F match at Euro 2024 on Saturday at 5 PM. Both teams enter the game on the back of victories in their opening matches, with Turkey defeating Georgia 3-1 and Portugal securing a 2-1 win over Czechia. Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez may opt for several changes in his lineup. Diogo Jota and Francisco Conceicao, who made impactful contributions off the bench in the previous game, are pushing for more playing time. Conceicao scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, assisted by Pedro Neto, while Jota had a goal disallowed…
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has suggested that Portugal’s chances of winning Euro 2024 hinge on Cristiano Ronaldo accepting a reduced role within the team. Shearer made these remarks ahead of Portugal’s upcoming match against Turkey on Saturday. After Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Czech Republic, where Ronaldo did not score, Shearer emphasized the importance of Ronaldo acknowledging that he cannot play a full 90 minutes in every game. “This will be crucial for Portugal’s prospects in winning the tournament. If he recognizes he can’t play 90 minutes every game, it could significantly boost their chances,” Shearer commented on BBC One. “When…
Chelsea is intensifying their pursuit of promising young talent by initiating talks with Boca Juniors for teenage defender Aaron Anselmino. Inspired by Real Madrid’s success in uncovering talents like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Endrick, Chelsea has been active in the South American market since Todd Boehly’s ownership group took charge in 2022. Players such as Andrey Santos, Angelo Gabriel, Deivid Washington from Brazil, and upcoming arrivals like Willian Estevao and Kendry Paez have all been part of Chelsea’s recruitment strategy under this new approach. Now, Chelsea’s attention is on Anselmino. According to The Athletic, initial discussions have begun with Boca…
SS Lazio have joined the race to sign Manchester United outcast Mason Greenwood during the summer transfer window, according to reports. Talks are reportedly underway for a £30 million move. Greenwood, who spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Getafe in La Liga, was not reintegrated into Manchester United’s first-team following fan protests. The 22-year-old had faced suspension from United in January 2022 due to allegations that were later dropped in February 2023. During his loan spell at Getafe, Greenwood made 33 appearances in La Liga, scoring eight goals and assisting six more for his teammates. With his loan now…
Nigerian football star Victor Osimhen has revisited his childhood neighborhood in Lagos, Nigeria, bringing along his African Footballer of the Year award. Currently enjoying a holiday in his homeland, the Napoli forward seized the opportunity to visit his former primary school, where he was warmly welcomed by a crowd of enthusiastic fans. Osimhen’s return home follows a stellar season with Napoli, contributing significantly to their Serie A title triumph. His outstanding performances earned him the prestigious African Footballer of the Year accolade, reaffirming his stature as one of Africa’s premier players. At 23 years old, Osimhen’s achievement underscores his perseverance…
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid attacking midfielder Eden Hazard has identified Kevin De Bruyne as the best midfielder in the world. Hazard also expressed confidence that Belgium has a strong chance of winning the 2024 European Championship with De Bruyne in their lineup. Having played 81 matches together and contributing to seven goals jointly, Hazard acknowledged their partnership. De Bruyne, currently representing Belgium at Euro 2024, was unable to prevent them from a surprising 1-0 loss to Slovakia in their first match. Despite this setback, Hazard remains optimistic about Belgium’s prospects in the tournament. He remarked (via Man City News):…
Turkish defender Merih Demiral has cautioned his teammates about veteran Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of their Euro 2024 clash on Saturday. Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Thursday, Demiral emphasized Ronaldo’s current excellent form and the need for the defense to be vigilant against the 39-year-old, who has previously played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Turkey secured a 3-1 victory over Georgia in their first match, while Portugal triumphed 2-1 against Czechia in theirs. Demiral stated (via @TimelineCR7 on X): “Ronaldo is performing at a very high level right now. He was in top form when…
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni expressed frustration with the pitch conditions for their 2024 Copa America opener against Canada on Thursday. Argentina faced Canada at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, US, where they secured a 2-0 victory. Julian Alvarez (49′) and Lautaro Martinez (88′) scored for Argentina. Scaloni criticized the pitch, stating (via Gaston Edul): “We’ve known for 7 months that we would be playing here, and they changed the grass two days ago. We didn’t play on a decent pitch. It was similar to Arabia, but the difference is that we played there on a suitable field. This shouldn’t…
Arsenal retains interest in signing Victor Osimhen but is hesitant to meet Napoli’s €120 million release clause. Headline: Arsenal Sticks to €75 Million Limit for Osimhen Despite Napoli’s €120 Million Clause Arsenal remains keen on acquiring Victor Osimhen but is firm on not meeting Napoli’s €120 million release clause. Osimhen, highly rated as one of Europe’s top strikers, has Napoli’s protection through this clause, anticipating high summer demand. The striker has mutual understanding with Napoli for a potential departure, awaiting offers from interested clubs. Following their unsuccessful bid for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Arsenal seeks another striker, with Osimhen a…
Spain midfielder Rodri will sit out their final group match at Euro 2024 against Albania due to suspension. This follows his second yellow card in as many games, received during La Roja’s 1-0 win over Italy for dissent toward the referee. The 27-year-old was cautioned for breaching the rule that permits only the team captain to communicate with the referee. Rodri had previously been booked in Spain’s 3-0 victory against Croatia. This measure has been implemented at Euro 2024 to discourage players from surrounding referees after decisions are made.
England captain Harry Kane has offered insights into why the Three Lions are encountering difficulties following their 1-1 draw against Denmark in Euro 2024. Kane played a key role as England secured a draw against Denmark on Thursday. Speaking to BBC, the Bayern Munich striker highlighted issues both on and off the ball for England. “We’re struggling both defensively and offensively,” Kane remarked. “In my opinion, Gareth Southgate’s squad has not performed up to their potential. “I believe that we have not been able to get the ball out of the way.
Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, responded to his team’s 2-0 Copa America win against Canada on Thursday. Messi played a crucial role as La Albiceleste triumphed in their tournament opener. The Inter Miami forward was pivotal in the match, with goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez securing the victory for the World Cup champions. Following the game, Messi took to his Instagram story to express his happiness about the win. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star wrote: “First step,” alongside a photo of himself with his teammates. Messi’s next objective is to guide Argentina to success in their upcoming…