Category: Sports

Ranchers Bees have appointed Jide Bodunde as their new secretary, DAILY POST reports.

The club announced the appointment as part of moves to strengthen its administrative structure ahead of their return to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The appointment reflects the club’s commitment to professionalism, efficiency, and excellence as it prepares for the challenges and opportunities that come with competing in the NPFL.

Bodunde is expected to bring his wealth of experience, dedication, and administrative expertise to the role.

He will work closely with management, the technical crew, players, and stakeholders to ensure the smooth running of the club’s affairs.

The management of Ranchers Bees FC expressed confidence in his ability to contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and success of the club.

Ranchers Bees will resume training Monday, June 15, 2026 at Rimi College, Kaduna.

NPFL: Ranchers Bees appoint Bodunde new secretary

British broadcaster, Piers Morgan, has predicted that a country with a foreign manager will win the 2026 World Cup.

Morgan’s two picks are England, managed by German Thomas Tuchel, while Italian Carlo Ancelotti is in charge of Brazil.

He wrote on X: “MY WORLD CUP PREDICTION: No country has ever won it with a foreign manager, but this is the year that ends.

“England or Brazil will win, and Tuchel or Ancelotti will make history.”

Brazil will open their tournament when they take on Morocco on Saturday.

The Three Lions face Croatia next Wednesday, as they seek to win it for the first time since 1966.

2026 World Cup: Piers Morgan predicts two teams to win trophy, set new record

Former Liverpool manager, Rafa Benitez, has put Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen among four players he would have loved to watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.

The World Cup started on Thursday, and Osimhen will not participate because of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the competition.

Speaking to La Gazzetta, Benitez placed Osimhen, alongside Robert Lewandowski, Piotr Zieliński, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the players he would have loved to see at the World Cup.

“Too easy: Kvaratskhelia, first and foremost,” Benitez said. “And then Osimhen too, and not just because Napoli holds a special place in my heart.

“But I must also add Zieliński and Lewandowski, one of the greatest ever.”

World Cup: Benitez puts Osimhen among four players he would have loved to watch

Former Real Madrid and AC Milan star, Kaka, has tipped Neymar to be very important for Brazil’s national football team.

Kaka described Neymar as a very good teammate, adding that the Santos forward will always help the young players in the squad.

He stated this while speaking as a guest on Rio Ferdinand’s Rio Meets Podcast ahead of Brazil’s World Cup tournament clash with Morocco on Saturday night.

“I love Neymar. We played together in the national team, and we are friends. If he’s ready, if he’s in good shape, physical condition is good, I think he’ll be very, very important for Brazil.

“He’s always supporting the team, he tries to help the young guys, and he’s a very good teammate, so he understands.”

Neymar, who is currently recovering injury, last played for Brazil in 2023.

World Cup 2026: Kaka gives verdict on Neymar’s inclusion in Brazil squad

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has predicted the Golden Ball and Golden Boot winners at the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.

Merson also predicted Colombia and Mexico to be the dark horses of the tournament.

In his column for Sportskeeda,  Merson backed France captain Kylian Mbappe and England captain Harry Kane to win the Golden Ball and Golden Boot of the tournament.

“Golden Ball – Kylian Mbappe (France)

Kylian Mbappe is an obvious choice. He should score lots of goals and go deep in the tournament,” Merson said.

“Golden Boot – Harry Kane (England).

It’s between Kane and Mbappe for me. I would like to believe it’s the England captain.

“Dark Horses – Colombia and Mexico

Colombia can surprise a lot of people. They are a decent team. The humidity will make a massive difference in this tournament, and they have players who are suited to these conditions.

“I also fancy Mexico. I know they haven’t had to qualify because they are one of the hosts, but they produced some big results in recent times.”

World Cup 2026: Paul Merson predicts Golden Ball, Golden Boot winners, dark horses

Ranchers Bees Kaduna will officially resume training on Monday, June 15, 2026, as the club begin preparations for life in the Nigeria Premier Football League,NPFL.

The Bees made the announcement in a press release made available to DAILY POST.

The training session will take place at the Rimi College, Kaduna.

The Kaduna-based club said the resumption marks the beginning of a new chapter following their promotion to the top-flight.

Ranchers Bees are making a return to the NPFL after a 18-year absence.

The club will be among four sides attending an NPFL orientation workshop on June 26 in Abuja.

NPFL: Ranchers Bees to begin preparations for new season Monday

The 2025/26 Nigeria Women Football League,  NWFL, Super Six Playoff will reach its climax on Sunday with defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, and Nasarawa Amazons in contention to claim the title, DAILY POST reports.

Edo Queens are top the standings with nine points, while Bayelsa Queens and Nasarawa Amazons are close behind on seven points each.

Moses Aduku’s Edo Queens will do battle with defending champions Bayelsa Queens in the biggest match of the final day.

A win for the Benin City club will secure only the second league title in their history, while a draw could also be enough if Nasarawa Amazons fail to beat former champions Rivers Angels in the other day’s fixture.

In the first match of the day, Abia Angels, and FC Robo Queens will battle for pride as they seek to end their campaign on a positive note.

NWFL Matchday 5 Fixtures

Abia Angels vs FC Robo Queens

11:00am

Main Bowl, Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium

Bayelsa Queens vs Edo Queens

2:00pm

Main Bowl, Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium

Nasarawa Amazons vs Rivers Angels

2:00pm

Mini Pitch, Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium

NWFL playoff: Three clubs battle for title on final day

Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker, Olivier Giroud, has snubbed the likes of Morocco and South Africa while naming the African team that will surprise people at the ongoing World Cup tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup competition started on Thursday, with Mexico beating South Africa 2-0 in the first match of the tournament.

There are ten countries representing Africa in the World Cup, taking place across Mexico, Canada and the United States of America.

They are Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.

However, Giroud believes Senegal, Ivory Coast or Ghana will be the surprise team at the World Cup.

“One of the African teams can be the surprise team,” Giroud said as quoted by BBC Sport.

“Maybe Ivory Coast, Senegal or Ghana – they are all dangerous teams on their day.”

World Cup 2026: Giroud snubs Morocco, South Africa, names African country to surprise people

United States striker, Folarin Balogun, scored twice in their 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday.

Balogun found the net in the 31st minute before adding a second just before half-time.

His first-half brace also saw him become the first American player in 96 years to score more than one goal in a single World Cup match. 

Balogun was born in Brooklyn, United States, to Nigerian parents. Although he was born in America, he spent only a short time there before moving to England with his family, making him eligible to represent the United States, England and Nigeria.

After the match, he described the performance as a dream come true.

“A real dream, you know? It’s a dream, it’s a dreamy night,” he told reporters after.

“I’ve not been able to take it all in afterwards… I’m sure when I get back to my hotel and I rest, I’m sure I’m going to really be able to be in the moment and experience how much of an amazing night this is.”

2026 World Cup: Nigerian-born striker, Balogun makes history as USA beats Paraguay

Real Madrid are planning to bring Luka Modric back in some capacity, according to Marca.

Modric left the LaLiga giants in May 2025 after 13 years.

The 40-year-old then signed a short-term contract with AC Milan.

However, the Croatian is wanted by Madrid, despite bidding an emotional farewell just over a year ago.

Madrid presidentFlorentino Pérez has indicated that Modric would have flexibility in deciding what his return looks like.

But it is likely that the midfielder would either be a sporting director or an executive consultant.

LaLiga: Modric set for Real Madrid return