Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Ajax Triumph in Marathon Penalty Shootout to Reach Europa League Play-Off Round. Ajax secured their place in the Europa League qualifying play-off round after a dramatic 13-12 victory over Panathinaikos in an epic penalty shootout that featured a staggering 34 spot-kicks. The nail-biting encounter saw both teams locked in a 1-1 aggregate draw after Panathinaikos clinched a late 1-0 win in Amsterdam, thanks to Tete’s 89th-minute goal. However, the Greek side’s efforts were ultimately undone by the Dutch giants in the shootout. Veteran goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, 40, was the hero for Ajax, making five crucial saves during the marathon…

Real Betis Held to a 1-1 Draw by Girona in La-Liga Opener. Real Betis Balompié were denied a winning start to their La-Liga campaign as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Girona at the Estadio Benito Villamarín. The result extended Betis’ unbeaten run against Girona at home to eight matches, but they will be left to rue missed opportunities in the first half. Betis got off to a flying start, with Marc Bartra marking his return from a season-ending injury by heading in a Nabil Fekir corner in just the sixth minute. The hosts dominated the first…

D’Tigers Slip in Latest FIBA Rankings Following Olympic Qualifier Disappointment. Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have experienced a drop in the latest FIBA world rankings, following a disappointing period of form that culminated in their failure to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. The ranking, released on Thursday by FIBA, saw D’Tigers fall four places to 42nd in the world, with a total of 299.7 points. This decline also places them 6th among African teams, with South Sudan maintaining its position as the continent’s highest-ranked team. D’Tigers’ recent struggles have raised concerns about the future…

Tottenham Suspends Yves Bissouma After Laughing Gas Incident Tottenham Hotspur has suspended midfielder Yves Bissouma following a controversial video that surfaced online last week, showing him inhaling laughing gas. The suspension means Bissouma will miss Monday’s game, as confirmed by Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou during a press conference. Postecoglou addressed the situation, stating, “We’ve suspended Bissouma from Monday’s game. He needs to build that trust back with both me and the group. The door is open for him, but behaviour is crucial.” The club has emphasised the importance of discipline and professionalism, signalling that Bissouma will need…

Edo Queens Secure Semi-Final Spot with 3-0 Victory Over Hassacas Ladies. Edo Queens showcased their dominance with a convincing 3-0 victory over Ghana’s Hassacas Ladies in their second group match of the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League qualifier held in Bouake on Wednesday night. This win not only demonstrated their prowess but also secured their place in the semi-finals of the competition. Despite a goalless first half where both teams had chances but failed to capitalise, Edo Queens emerged stronger after the break. The Nigerian champions took control in the second half, netting three goals to seal their triumph…

Bruno Fernandes Signs New Contract with Manchester United Until 2027. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has officially signed a new contract, extending his stay at Old Trafford until June 2027, with an option to extend for a further year. The 29-year-old Portuguese midfielder has been an influential figure since joining United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 for £47 million. Over the course of his 234 appearances for the club, Fernandes has netted 79 goals and provided 67 assists, cementing his status as one of the Premier League’s top performers. His previous contract, signed in 2022, was set to…

Kylian Mbappe Shines on Real Madrid Debut, Declares “No Limit” to Success. Kylian Mbappe made an instant impact on his Real Madrid debut, scoring the decisive goal against Atalanta to secure a record sixth UEFA Super Cup for the Spanish giants. The France captain, who completed his much-anticipated move from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, wasted no time in showcasing his talent, finding the back of the net just 70 minutes into his first appearance for the club. Reflecting on his debut, Mbappe expressed his excitement and ambition for the future with his new team. “It was a great night…

Mighty Jets Eye Samson Siasia for Head Coach Role. Nigeria National League (NNL) club Mighty Jets are reportedly interested in appointing former Nigeria international and Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, as their new head coach. This potential appointment comes as Siasia prepares to make his return to football management, with his FIFA ban set to expire at the end of this month. Siasia, who has had a distinguished career both as a player and coach, is now exploring opportunities to reintegrate into the football scene. The former head coach of the Super Eagles has made his financial expectations clear,…

Mikel Obi Accuses Messi of “Stealing” the Golden Ball at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Former Nigerian international, John Mikel Obi, has revealed a candid exchange he had with football legend Lionel Messi, accusing the Argentine of “stealing” the Golden Ball from him during the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The tournament, hosted in the Netherlands, saw Nigeria’s Flying Eagles face off against Argentina in a closely contested final. Argentina emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, courtesy of two penalties converted by an 18-year-old Messi. Mikel, who played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s journey to the final,…

Nigeria’s Olympic Gold Medallist Expresses Disappointment Over Team Nigeria’s Performance in Paris Nigeria’s only individual Olympic gold medallist, Chioma Ajunwa, has expressed deep disappointment over Team Nigeria’s performance at the recently concluded Olympic Games in Paris, France. Ajunwa, who made history as the first Nigerian to win an Olympic gold medal in the women’s long jump at the 1996 Atlanta Games, voiced her concerns about the nation’s poor showing on the global stage. As earlier reported by Govima Sports, Nigeria’s 19th participation in the Olympic Games ended without a single medal, despite the country’s delegation consisting of 88 athletes…

Ikorodu City Confirm Rivio Ayemnwere’s Signing from Sporting Lagos. Ikorodu City FC have officially announced the signing of Rivio Ayemnwere from Sporting Lagos, marking their first acquisition of the summer transfer window. This move comes in the wake of Sporting Lagos’ relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), leading to Ayemnwere’s decision to join the Oga Boys. Ayemnwere, a promising striker, is expected to bolster Ikorodu City’s attacking options as they prepare for the upcoming season. The club’s management is optimistic that his addition will significantly enhance their squad, particularly in their quest to perform well in the…

Premium Trust Bank Partners with Nigeria Football Federation in Major Sponsorship Deal. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has secured a significant partnership with Premium Trust Bank, marking a major boost for Nigerian football. In a ceremony held in Abuja, the bank officially became the NFF’s exclusive banking partner, entering into a four-year agreement that will see the financial institution provide the football body with N300 million annually. This sum includes a built-in clause for a 10% increase each year, ensuring a continuous uplift in funding over the partnership’s duration. NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau MON, expressed his gratitude…