Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum has released his team’s starting XI against the Republic of Ireland in today’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup tie. Waldrum released his squad in a post via the Super Falcons’ official Twitter account. The Super Falcons head to the game after beating Australia 3-2 in their last match. Nigeria’s starting XI against Ireland: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Michelle Alozie, Ashleigh Plumptre, Osinachi Ohale, Tosin Demehin, Toni Payne, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu and Asisat Oshoala. Substitutes: Tochukwu Oluehi, Onome Ebi, Ogbonna, Desire Oparanozie, Gift Monday, Francisca Ordega, Ifeoma Onumonu., Rofiat Imuran, Jennifer Echegini,…

Zambia secured their first Women’s World Cup win by edging out Costa Rica in their final Group C match. Lushomo Mweemba opened the scoring for Zambia inside the first three minutes and Barbra Banda added a second from the spot midway through the first half. Costa Rica’s Melissa Herrera pulled a goal shortly after the break, but Racheal Kundananji completed the win, netting a third in injury time. Both sides had already been eliminated after two matches. Zambia had lost 5-0 against both Japan and Spain in their first two matches. But they made a brilliant start in Hamilton, New…

Japan showed why they are serious contenders at the Women’s World Cup by hammering Spain to finish top of Group C and book a last-16 showdown with Norway. The 2011 world champions made it look easy as they scored three times before half-time, with Hinata Miyazawa getting two to take her tally to four goals and become the tournament’s leading scorer. The attacking midfielder put Japan ahead with a calm finish after Spain’s defence had been exposed, before Riko Uek doubled the lead with a deflected finish which looped into the net. Miyazawa, who scored two in Japan’s opening group…

Manchester United will decide striker Mason Greenwood’s future before their opening Premier League game of the season against Wolves on 14 August. A number of serious charges against Greenwood, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped on 2 February. The Crown Prosecution Service said key witnesses had withdrawn and new material had come to light. It meant there was “no longer a realistic prospect of conviction”. At the time, a statement released on 21-year-old Greenwood’s behalf said he was “relieved”. However, United then said they were launching their own investigation. Greenwood has been unavailable for selection ever since and has not…

Chelsea won the Premier League Summer Series pre-season tournament as they beat Fulham 2-0 at FedEx Field in Maryland, Washington. A 20th-minute Thiago Silva header from a Ben Chilwell corner opened the scoring. A tap-in from Christopher Nkunku just before half-time after good work from Carney Chukwuemeka sealed the win. It was Nkunku’s third goal of pre-season following the French striker’s £52m move from RB Leipzig. Fulham did not provide much of an attacking threat although Calvin Bassey, playing for the club for the first time since his £19m move from Ajax, headed over from a corner in the second half. One negative…

Tournament co-hosts New Zealand were knocked out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup as Switzerland got the draw they needed to advance as Group A winners. New Zealand began the day in second position in the group, but Norway moved above them thanks to a convincing 6-0 victory over the Philippines. Jacqueline Hand hit the post for New Zealand but they could not get the win they needed to stay in the competition. They become the first host nation to fail to make it past the group phase. It was a tame and disappointing end to the tournament for New Zealand,…

A late Ruben Dias header could not rescue Manchester City from a 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid as their tour of Asia came to an end. Kick-off was delayed by 40 minutes due to heavy rain in Seoul before Memphis Depay put the La Liga side in front. Yannick Carrasco doubled Atletico’s advantage as City – who had nearly 59% possession – struggled to break their opponents down. Dias scored a late consolation but Diego Simeone’s side held on. Kyle Walker, who has been linked with a summer move to Bayern Munich, hit the bar from 30 yards and Erling…

Manuela Vanegas scored a 97th-minute winner as Colombia stunned Germany at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup. Linda Caicedo netted a wondergoal to give the South Americans the lead, before Germany equalised with an 89th-minute Alexandra Popp penalty. Vanegas then headed Leicy Santos’ corner past Merle Frohms to send the vast numbers of Colombia supporters at Sydney Football Stadium wild. It condemned Germany to a first World Cup group stage defeat since 1995. A manic ending came after Caicedo, 18, had brilliantly curled into the top corner on 53 minutes to shock the two-time world champions. The final round of…

Morocco gained their first ever victory at a Women’s World Cup as they secured a shock win over South Korea. Ibtissam Jraidi scored Morocco’s first World Cup goal with a sixth-minute header as the north Africans, ranked 72nd in the world, stunned their 17th-ranked opponents. Sixteen-year-old substitute Casey Phair fired wide for South Korea late on. Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina made history by becoming the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup. South Korea have now lost both matches and will be eliminated if Germany avoid defeat against Colombia on Sunday. Morocco lost 6-0 to Germany in their…

Barcelona continued their pre-season tour of the USA with a 3-0 win over Real Madrid in Arlington, Texas. Ousmane Dembele’s early goal was followed up by late strikes from Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres. New signing Jude Bellingham played for Barca’s El Clasico rivals Real and the England midfielder’s header was one of five Real efforts that struck the woodwork at the AT&T Stadium. “The result is a bit misleading,” said Barca coach Xavi Hernandez. “We shouldn’t be overconfident. The result is very favourable but it doesn’t mean we played a super match. “It was a very even match in which…

Victor Osimhen bagged a brace as Napoli thrashed Turkish club, Hatayaspor 4-0 in a pre-season friendly on Saturday night. Osimhen was on target twice midway through the first half. Napoli scored two more goals in the second half through Giovanni Simeone. It was the first pre-season outing for Osimhen since he linked up with his teammates in camp two weeks ago. The 24-year-old was the top scorer in Serie A last season with 26 goals from 32 appearances. The Partenopei arrived in Castel di Sangro on Saturday for the second half of their 2023/24 pre-season. Rudi Garcia’s men will take…

Manchester United have agreed a €83m deal to sign Denmark international striker Rasmus Hojlund from Serie A side Atalanta. The 20-year-old will move to Old Trafford for fee of £64m, plus a potential £8m in add-ons. Hojlund joined Atalanta in August 2022 and scored 10 goals in 34 appearances last season. His United contract will be for five years, with the option of an additional season. Hojlund will be United manager Erik ten Hag’s third signing of the summer after midfielder Mason Mount joined from Chelsea for £55m and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana was signed for £47.2m. Although United…