Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

ITTF African Championships: Egypt And Nigeria Renew Rivalry In Addis Ababa. The fierce rivalry between Africa’s top table tennis nations, Egypt and Nigeria, is set to reignite at the 2024 ITTF African Championships, which will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 12 to 19 October. This prestigious tournament will serve as qualifiers for the 2024 ITTF Mixed Team Cup in China and the 2025 World Championships in Qatar. The competition will feature top teams and champions from across the region, with athletes competing in two team events and five individual categories: Men’s Teams, Women’s Teams, Men’s Singles, Women’s…

Alisson Questions New Champions League Format. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has raised concerns about the newly revamped Champions League format, suggesting that while it may benefit fans, players’ opinions are often overlooked. The Brazilian shot-stopper commented on the increased number of fixtures, questioning the impact on players’ well-being. Speaking on the changes, Alisson said, “For the supporters, amazing. But sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games.” His remarks reflect the growing concern among players about the physical and mental toll of an increasingly congested football calendar. “Maybe our opinion doesn’t matter at all,”…

Champions League: New Format; How It Works. This season marks a significant change in the UEFA Champions League format, following the approval of alterations in May 2022. It is the first major revamp of Europe’s premier club competition since 1992, bringing an expanded tournament structure and a shift from the traditional group stages. In previous years, the group stage consisted of 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the round of 16. However, the new format, beginning this season, will see an expanded 36-team tournament. Each team will…

Kenyan Airways Delays Return Of Nigeria’s U-18 Basketball Teams To Lagos. Kenyan Airways has delayed the return of Nigeria’s U-18 basketball teams, J’Tigers and J’Tigress, to Lagos. The teams were initially scheduled to arrive on Monday morning, but their flight has now been pushed back and rescheduled to Tuesday. Despite the setback in travel plans, there is much to celebrate for J’Tigress, who secured a spot in the FIBA U-19 World Cup after a commendable performance in the tournament. Although they were narrowly defeated by Mali in the final, their achievement in reaching the World Cup remains a significant…

Barcelona’s Dani Olmo Out For A Month With Hamstring Injury. Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo is set to miss up to five weeks of action after sustaining a right hamstring injury during his side’s 4-1 victory over Girona. The injury, confirmed by the club’s medical team, will see Olmo sidelined for a critical period, including key fixtures in both domestic and international competitions. The 25-year-old will miss Barcelona’s upcoming UEFA Champions League matches against Monaco and Young Boys, as well as several important La Liga fixtures. In addition, Olmo will be unavailable for Spain’s Nations League matches, a blow to…

Aston Villa Legend Gary Shaw Dies Aged 63 After Fall. Former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw has tragically passed away at the age of 63 due to injuries sustained in a fall as reported by BBC. Shaw, who was instrumental in Aston Villa’s success during the early 1980s, helped the club secure the 1981 league title and the prestigious European Cup in 1982. Shaw, a boyhood Villa fan, came through the club’s youth system and became a fan favourite with his prolific goal-scoring ability. During his time with the team, he netted an impressive 79 goals in 213 appearances,…

UCL: Atalanta Ready For Arsenal Clash – Lookman. Ademola Lookman has expressed his excitement ahead of Atalanta’s highly anticipated UEFA Champions League showdown with Arsenal. Speaking to the media in Italy, the Nigerian forward shared his eagerness for the challenge as Gian Piero Gasperini’s men prepare to welcome the Gunners to the Gewiss Stadium this Thursday. Atalanta will approach the encounter with confidence, having secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fiorentina in their Serie A fixture on Sunday. Lookman, who has been a key player for La Dea, is optimistic about the team’s chances as they look to carry…

Unicaja Malaga Triumph In FIBA Intercontinental Cup, Defeating NBA-G League United. Spanish basketball club Unicaja Malaga claimed their first-ever FIBA Intercontinental Cup title, defeating NBA G League United 75-60 in the final at Singapore Indoor Stadium. This victory marks a historic moment for Unicaja and adds another trophy to Europe’s dominant tally in the competition, now standing at 23, with Spanish clubs accounting for 11 of those wins. Representing Europe after their Basketball Champions League victory last spring, Unicaja took control early, securing a 6-point lead at half-time (38-32). Their impressive defence proved too much for NBA G League…

Napoli Lead Serie A, Inter and Juventus in Pursuit After Weekend’s Action. Antonio Conte’s Napoli have surged to the top of the Serie A table after Sunday’s fixtures in the fourth round of the season. The Neapolitans, who secured an emphatic 4-0 victory over Sassuolo, now sit at the summit, but Udinese have the opportunity to overtake them if they manage to defeat Parma away on Monday night. The weekend saw a return to action after the international break, with Italian football offering plenty of entertainment. Both Napoli and AC Milan secured dominant 4-0 wins, while Atalanta edged Fiorentina…

CAF President Patrice Motsepe Praises Kenya’s Progress Ahead Of 2027 AFCON. CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed his satisfaction with Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) during his visit to the country on Sunday. Kenya, alongside East African neighbours Tanzania and Uganda, is set to co-host the prestigious biannual football tournament. Motsepe, who arrived in Kenya ahead of a crucial CAF Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Monday in Nairobi, was accompanied by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Kipchumba Murkomen, and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Nick Mwendwa. Together, they visited the stadia that will host…

National Youth Games Day 4 Wrap: Delta Tops Medal Table. The hosts Delta and neighbouring Edo State are locked in a fierce contest for supremacy at the 8th National Youth Games, currently underway in Asaba. Following an intense day of competition, Delta State emerged as the frontrunner, claiming 18 gold, 7 silver, and 10 bronze medals. Edo State, although a distant second, managed a respectable haul of 9 gold, 5 silver, and 9 bronze medals. Meanwhile, 12 states are yet to secure a medal as of yesterday. Day 4 of the competition was marked by thrilling performances, with gold…

Arsenal’s Khari Ranson Reveals Nigerian And Ghanaian Heritage. Arsenal goalkeeper Khari Ranson has revealed that he is of both Nigerian and Ghanaian descent, with his father hailing from Nigeria and his mother from Ghana. The 17-year-old, who currently represents England at youth international level, hinted at his eligibility to play for either the Super Eagles of Nigeria or the Black Stars of Ghana in the future. Ranson’s dual heritage presents a potential international dilemma as he progresses in his football career, with both West African nations likely to be interested in securing the services of the talented young…