Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal: Deal Finalised. Arsenal have completed the signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, with the player giving the final green light. The Gunners have secured the Italian left-back for a fixed fee of €45 million, with potential add-ons that could bring the total package to €50 million as reported by Fabrizio Romano. Calafiori, who has agreed to a four-year contract, is set to fly to London today to finalise the transfer. His medical is already booked, signalling the final steps in this significant move for both the player and the club. The 21-year-old defender has…

NPFL U-17 All Stars Set for Spain Tour. As the new Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season kicks off on August 31, all twenty clubs in the elite division will be focused on the ₦200 million prize for the 2024/2025 champions. This exciting announcement was made by NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye during the Club Owners Annual General Meeting in Abuja. However, increasing the prize money is not the only improvement or innovation on the NPFL’s agenda. In a recent meeting with the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Juan Ignacio Sell, NPFL chief Elegbeleye expressed his readiness to…

Nigerian Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye Reveals Accidental Journey to the Position. Nigerian and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has shared an intriguing story of how he became a goalkeeper by accident. The 24-year-old recounted his unexpected journey during a chat with Tribalfootball. “I started as a striker but turned into a goalkeeper by accident,” Okoye revealed, describing the unusual circumstances that led to his current position on the pitch. Reflecting on his influences, Okoye mentioned a legendary figure in football. “Growing up, it has always been the one and only Nelson Dida of Brazil,” he said, highlighting the impact of…

Bournemouth Owner Bill Foley Opposes Premier League Matches Outside England. Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has stated he would not support any plan to play Premier League games outside England. Speaking exclusively to BBC Sport during his club’s pre-season tour of the United States in Santa Barbara, Foley emphasised his respect for the tradition of the game and its fans. Foley, who also owns the Vegas Golden Knights NHL franchise that won the Stanley Cup in 2023, made clear his stance on maintaining the integrity of the Premier League by keeping its matches in the UK. “In terms of…

James Rodriguez Becomes a Free Agent After Contract Termination with Sao Paulo. Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez is now a free agent following the termination of his contract with Sao Paulo by mutual agreement. MUTUAL AGREEMENT TO PART WAYS The 33-year-old, who had one year remaining on his contract, has opted to leave the Brazilian club earlier than expected. According to Goal, both parties have agreed to part ways, allowing Rodriguez to explore new opportunities. EYEING A RETURN TO EUROPE Rodriguez, who has an illustrious career with stints at top clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Everton,…

Super-Sand Eagles Triumph in Return to Beach Soccer with Victory Over Mauritania. After a five-year hiatus, Nigeria’s beach soccer national team, the Super-Sand Eagles, made a triumphant return with a 5-4 victory over Mauritania in the first leg of their Nations Cup qualification match. The encounter took place on Saturday, 20th July 2024, in Nouakchott. Despite a late start in their preparation, the Super-Sand Eagles achieved their initial objective and now aim to secure their place in the 2024 Beach African Cup of Nations with a win in the second leg next week in Nigeria. The team has…

Paris 2024: D’Tigress Suffer Second Friendly Defeat to Serbia. Nigeria’s D’Tigress faced a tough challenge on Sunday, succumbing to a 70-62 defeat against Serbia in their second pre-Olympic friendly. Rena Wakama’s side struggled from the outset, trailing by a 6-point deficit, 21-15, at the end of the first quarter. Serbia’s dominance continued into the second quarter, where they extended their lead to 39-29, a 10-point advantage. Despite D’Tigress’ efforts to close the gap, Serbia maintained their 10-point lead in the third quarter, with the score at 55-45. The European team managed to hold onto their lead in the…

Liverpool Calls for Investigation Following Alleged Racial Abuse in Youth Tournament. Liverpool FC has called for an “urgent and thorough” investigation after their under-18s team left the pitch during two matches in Germany, following allegations of racial abuse directed at one of their players. The incidents occurred during the Bundesliga Cup youth tournament in Schwäbisch Hall. The first incident took place on Friday during a match against Hoffenheim, where the player reported being racially abused by an opponent. In response, the Liverpool team walked off the pitch. A similar situation unfolded on Saturday during a game against Frankfurt.…

Rafael Nadal Reaches First Final Since 2022 at Swedish Open. Rafael Nadal has reached his first final since 2022, securing a hard-fought victory over Duje Ajdukovic in three sets at the Swedish Open in Bastad. The 38-year-old Spaniard triumphed over the unseeded Croatian 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and 12 minutes, marking his first appearance in a final since the French Open two years ago. On Sunday, Nadal will face Portugal’s seventh seed Nuno Borges, who defeated Argentina’s unseeded Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-4, 6-3 in their semi-final clash. “It was a very tough match…

Tobi Amusan Shines with Second-Place Finish at Holloway Pro Classic. Nigeria’s Queen of the tracks and hurdles specialist, Tobi Amusan, secured a commendable second-place finish in the women’s 100m hurdles final at the Holloway Pro Classic in Florida on Saturday. The race, which featured top athletes from around the world, was highly anticipated, and Amusan’s performance showcased her resilience and competitive spirit. Despite a slow start, Amusan powered through to secure second place with a time of 12.60 seconds, contending against a challenging -1.7 m/s headwind. Her determination and skill were evident as she pushed herself to the finish…

Sporting Lagos Crowned Champions of Gothia Puma Cup. Sporting Lagos have emerged victorious in this year’s Gothia Puma Cup, securing the title with a resounding 4-0 victory over Tokyo FC in the final. The Lagos-based team finished the competition unbeaten, showcasing their dominance throughout the tournament. The standout player of the tournament was 17-year-old Tunde Akomolede, who was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his exceptional performance. Akomolede’s contributions were pivotal, as he provided four assists from long throws and scored a goal, demonstrating his versatility and skill on the field. Sporting Lagos’s triumph in the Gothia…

Romelu Lukaku Awaits Napoli Move, Keen to Reunite with Antonio Conte. Romelu Lukaku remains hopeful of joining Napoli, expressing his desire to work under manager Antonio Conte once more. The Belgian striker is willing to take a significant pay cut, reducing his salary from €11 million per season to €6 million, in order to secure the move. Lukaku’s potential transfer hinges on negotiations between Napoli and his current club, Chelsea. Additionally, the deal is contingent on the departure of Napoli’s star forward, Victor Osimhen, who is currently attracting strong interest from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The 30-year-old forward is eager to…