Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho has joined Qatari side Al-Duhail on loan for the rest of the season. The Brazilian midfielder, 31, has made just two substitute appearances for Villa this term after scoring one goal in 22 matches in the previous campaign. His current contract at the Premier League club runs out in June 2026. Coutinho completed a permanent move to Villa from Barcelona in July 2022, six months after initially signing on loan. Villa’s manager at the time, Steven Gerrard, described Coutinho as a “brilliant signing for the club” after tempting the man he once captained at Liverpool to complete a…

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been suspended for an extra match and fined £100,000 after admitting he acted in an improper manner following his red card in a win at Newcastle United. The defender was sent off in the 28th minute for fouling Alexander Isak. Van Dijk was banned against Aston Villa on 3 September and will be unavailable to face Wolves on 16 September. He appeared to remonstrate with referee John Brooks prior to walking off the pitch. Netherlands centre-back Van Dijk, 32, also appeared to argue with the fourth official before making his way down the tunnel…

Nigerian forward, Emmanuel Dennis has completed his move to the Turkey Super Lig. Emmanuel Dennis who has failed to establish himself at Nottingham Forest after joining the club from Championship side, Watford a season ago, joined former Turkish champions Trabzonspor on a season-long loan. Dennis, who has yet to play for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this season, had the option of joining Saudi Pro League club Al-Taee or Trabzonspor. But the opportunity to remain in Europe made the Turkish side more appealing to the Nigeria international. According to a Turkish news outlet Sporx, Al-Taee gave up on their…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, has slammed Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for shunning the state and running the government from Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. This comes barely 24 hours after his wife, Betty, announced his return from Germany after being treated for an undisclosed ailment. Also confirming the development, the State Majority Leader, Wole Ogunmolasuyi, said Akeredolu was already in his Ibadan residence and would be there for a few days before heading to Ondo State. However, the Ondo PDP, in a statement on Friday, September 8, by its spokesman, Kennedy Peretei, described Akeredolu’s decision to stay in his Ibadan…

A Spanish prosecutor has filed a complaint with its high court against suspended football federation president Luis Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion. Rubiales kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win, which she says was not consensual. Hermoso filed a legal complaint over the kiss on Tuesday. The complaint means the 46-year-old could face criminal charges. Spanish prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation on 28 August, looking into whether the incident amounts to a crime of sexual assault At the time, Spain’s top criminal court said it was opening its investigation in light of…

The Gabon junta on Thursday appointed an opposition leader, Raymond Ndong Sima, as the prime minister of its transitional government. Gabon’s new strongman, General Brice Oligui Nguema, who was sworn in on Monday, announced the development on state TV on Thursday. Recall that Nguema, while delivering his inaugural speech on Monday promised to hold “free, transparent and credible elections” to restore civilian rule but did not give a timeframe. He also promised economic reforms. Sima, a 68-year-old economist, was prime minister of the overthrown president of Ali Bongo from 2012 to 2014. But he resigned and ran against Bongo as an opposition…

Manchester United’s Antony is facing further allegations of assault made by a woman in an interview with a Brazilian TV channel. A police investigation has already been opened following allegations of domestic abuse against his former girlfriend. Brazilian news outlet UOL published allegations made by Antony’s ex-partner on Monday. Sao Paulo Police are also looking into the claims, which Antony has denied. On Thursday, two more women made public claims against Antony in the Brazilian media. United issued a statement on Monday to say they were taking the matter involving Cavallin “seriously.” The club have so far declined to comment on the…

Arsenal’s former club record signing Nicolas Pepe has joined Turkish side Trabzonspor on a free transfer, ending a disappointing three-year spell at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners paid £72m to sign the Ivory Coast winger from Lille in 2019. Pepe scored 27 goals in 112 games for Arsenal and spent last season on loan with French side Nice. The 28-year-old was not involved in any of the club’s matchday squads this season. Pepe had one year left on his Arsenal contract and had been their record signing until the £100m arrival of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice this summer. Trabzonspor are seventh…

With most of the focus on Gauff, Sabalenka had been quietly and efficiently getting on with business. The 25-year-old, who will become the new world number one after the tournament, had not dropped a set on her way to the last four but had to find a different way to win against Keys. Keys, who was the runner-up in 2017, showed her pin-point quality from the baseline and hit an array of winners in a one-sided opening set. By contrast, Sabalenka was spraying the ball and produced a series of unforced errors to benefit her opponent. Sabalenka had won only…

American teenager Coco Gauff reached her first US Open singles final by beating Karolina Muchova in a semi-final disrupted by climate protesters. Gauff, 19, wrapped up a 6-4 7-5 win over Muchova and will face second seed Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s final. Four protesters chanting for the end of fossil fuels had interrupted the Gauff-Muchova match for 49 minutes. One man glued his feet to the floor on Arthur Ashe Stadium with some chants of “kick them out” towards the protesters. Security escorted three out but it took longer to the remove the fourth. The United States Tennis Association said…

Ghana have sealed qualification for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON after staging a comeback victory against Central African Republic on Thursday in Kumasi. CAR broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when striker Louis Mafouta slotted home past the goalkeeper after being put through on goal. The Black Stars then drew a few minutes to the half-time break after Mohammed Kudus’ brilliant free-kick from the edge of the box beat goalkeeper Geoffrey Lembet. Semenyo teed up youngster Ernest Nuamah, who tapped the ball into the back of the net to hand the maximum points to the Black Stars. Semenyo…

The Republic of Ireland’s slim hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 were further dented as France ran out comfortable winners at Parc des Princes. Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni’s stunning 19th-minute goal put the hosts ahead at the break. Substitute Marcus Thuram ensured a home victory early in the second half as the French made it five wins from five. For the Republic, however, it is a third defeat in four games, leaving them fourth in the group. Stephen Kenny’s side’s chances of qualifying for next summer’s finals in Germany are remote, but they must regroup quickly and look to…