Category: Sports

Former Chelsea player Frank Leboeuf has named his top contenders for the Premier League title in the 2026/27 season.

Arsenal ended their long wait for a title, securing their first Premier League championship in 22 years under Mikel Arteta.

They also came close to clinching their first UEFA Champions League title but were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

Leboeuf, a former Chelsea player, asserted that Arsenal are the clear favourites to reclaim the Premier League title in the coming season, irrespective of any additional signings they may make this summer.

He noted that despite concerns regarding the fitness of several players, the team is confident in their ability to outperform any opponent on their best days.

In an interview with ESPN, he stated (as reported by Metro UK), “Arsenal have some assurances and they know that with the team they have right now they can be better anybody else.

“With Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba in the lineup, they are formidable; they know they are stronger than any other team, and that is the reality. If I were an Arsenal supporter, I would not be concerned. Can they achieve a consecutive Premier League title? Yes, they are my favorites, but they must prove it.”

The Gunners have bolstered their squad in an effort to secure back-to-back titles by acquiring Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for a fee of £75 million. They have also signed Greek winger Christos Tzolis and free-agent goalkeeper Ilian Meslier.

EPL: ‘They’re the strongest team’ – Ex-Chelsea star, Leboeuf names club to win title

Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford, is among nine players who have joined the Red Devils’ pre-season squad.

Rashford, alongside his England international teammate Kobbie Mainoo, joined up with the rest of Michael Carrick’s squad for their pre-season tour in the Republic of Ireland.

Rashford and Mainoo were both part of the England squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup won by Spain.

The duo reported to Carrington on Sunday morning and flew to Dublin on a private jet alongside Matheus Cunha, Matthijs de Ligt, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens.

Also part of the travelling group were Karl Darlow, JJ Gabriel and Tynan Thompson.

Meanwhile, there is still no sign of Lisandro Martinez, who featured for Argentina at the World Cup.

Pre-season: Rashford, eight others join Man Utd squad

Super Eagles forward, Victor Boniface has expressed gratitude to Bayer Leverkusen supporters for their unwavering support following the club’s 2-1 pre-season triumph over Sevilla at the BayArena.

Boniface came on during the second half as Leverkusen rallied from behind to secure victory against the Spanish side.

Sevilla took the lead with a goal from Miguel Sierra, but Patrik Schick turned the tide with a brace in the second half, ensuring Leverkusen’s win.

After the match, Boniface was asked about the enthusiastic response from the Leverkusen fans, who fervently chanted his name throughout the game.

The Nigerian international conveyed his gratitude towards the supporters, emphasizing that their encouragement has been significant during challenging and successful times.

“I thank them for their support. They have been there for me in both good and bad times, and I truly appreciate this,” he stated to the club’s media.

Boniface elaborated that the backing from fans is essential for players, noting that he had already received numerous encouraging messages prior to the match.

“You know, this is what we, as players, need. We require their support, and I am genuinely happy. I noticed it even before the game; I received a lot of messages of encouragement, and I feel grateful. I feel blessed, and I thank each and everyone of them.”

Following the 2025/26 season that was marred by injuries, Boniface has made a promising return in pre-season and is steadily regaining his sharpness in preparation for the upcoming campaign.

Pre-season: Victor Boniface reacts after Leverkusen fans chant his name during win over Sevilla

Nigeria can still qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, despite getting eliminated from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, on Sunday.

The Super Falcons lost 1-0 to Cameroon in their quarter-final clash.

If the 10-time African champions had defeated the Indomitable Lionesses, they would have grabbed one of the automatic tickets for the World Cup.

However, they will not be among the four teams from the continent that will qualify directly for the tournament.

Instead, Nigeria have another route available through the African play-offs and the FIFA inter-confederation play-off tournament.

Justine Madugu’s ladies will play South Africa next week with one of the spots up for grabs.

The four defeated WAFCON quarter-finalists, will battle for two places in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Play-Off Tournament.

WAFCON 2026: How Super Falcons can qualify for 2027 World Cup after Cameroon defeat

Nigeria will clash with Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Sunday’s match will be played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

The kick-off for what will be the West African derby, kicks off at 6pm local time (5pm GMT).

It will determine one of the semi-finalists and an automatic qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

DAILY POST will bring you live updates from the Super Falcons’ match against Cameroon.

Nigeria vs Cameroon: Live Updates from WAFCON 2026 quarter-final

Cameroon midfielder, Naomi Eto, has warned Nigeria ahead of both sides’ CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, quarter-final clash on Sunday evening.

Eto warned that football always has surprises despite the Super Falcons being the favourite ahead of both sides’ tie.

The 21-year-old, however, hailed Nigeria as a great nation in African women’s football.

“Nigeria is a very great nation in African Women’s Football and deserves all our respect. We know we are not the favourites and, in fact, we never really were in this competition,” Eto said via CAF’s official website.

“Football always has surprises in store. At this stage of the competition, there will inevitably be a winner.”

Cameroon finished as Group D winners, while Nigeria finished in second position in Group C.

WAFCON 2026: Football always has surprises – Cameroon’s Eto warns Nigeria

Cameroon coach, Valentine Nguele, has revealed how her team will approach Nigeria’s Super Falcons when both sides clash in today’s CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, quarter-final.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Nguele said that Cameroon will play in its natural style of football and have fun against Nigeria.

The Indomitable Lionesses head to the game after finishing top of Group D, while Nigeria finished as second in Group C.

“We have a great match upon us. A big quarter-final,” Nguele said via CAFonline.

“They are the favourites. They have won the title 10 times. We need to accept that.

“Against Nigeria, we shall play our natural style of football. We need to enjoy the match.

“We shall not put pressure on ourselves. We shall go out there and have fun,” she explained.

WAFCON 2026: How we’ll approach Nigeria’s Super Falcons – Cameroon coach, Nguele

The PolyMarket SuperComputer has predicted how the 2026/2027 Premier League campaign will pan out.

Arsenal are the current champions, after ending a 22-year wait for the title.

Mikel Arteta’s men eventually finished seven points ahead of Manchester City, after a thrilling race.

PolyMarket has now said the Gunners have a 37% chance of retaining their crown.

Only City and Manchester United have won back-to-back titles in the Premier League era.

City, who are now coached by Enzo Maresca, have been given a 30% chance of winning the title for the first time in three years.

Liverpool and United have a 12% probability each.

The new season kicks off Friday, August 14 with Arsenal hosting Coventry City at the Emirates.

EPL: SuperComputer predicts 2026/2027 title winners, top four places

Real Madrid boss, Jose Mourinho, has disclosed the number of players he wants to keep in his squad this season.

Speaking after Real Madrid’s pre-season friendly 2-1 win against Ferencvaros on Saturday, Mourinho suggested that he wants to keep 20 players plus the injured players like Ferland Mendy, Eder Militão and Rodrygo.

Mourinho stated this while assessing summer signing, Bernardo Silva, following Real Madrid’s victory against Ferencvaros.

“He [Bernardo Silva] is a player who can play in three or four positions,” Mourinho told Realmadrid TV.

“And for a coach and a squad that we want to keep small, I’d say around 20 players plus the injured ones like Militão, Rodrygo, and Mendy, whom I don’t expect to recover in the coming weeks.

“We need players like Bernardo Silva who can adapt to different positions.”

Real Madrid’s next pre-season friendly game is against Deportivo on Wednesday.

Mourinho discloses number of players he wants to keep in Real Madrid squad

Rangers have completed the signing of Folarin Temitope from Ikorodu City, DAILY POST reports.

The Flying Antelope announced Temitope’s arrival in a brief unveiling video posted on the social media.

Temitope signed a two-year contract with the nine-time Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, champions.

He featured regularly for Ikorodu City in the NPFL last season.

Temitope is expected to give Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side another option in midfield as they bid to defend the NPFL title next season.

Rangers will begin their title defence with a clash against Katsina United in Enugu on Sunday, 30 August.

NPFL: Temitope joins Rangers from Ikorodu City