Category: Sports

Abakaliki FC management have announced a 55-day end-of-season break for players and the technical crew following their exit from the President Federation Cup.

The Rice Boys are expected to resume on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

The club disclosed this in a statement signed by its Chairman, Senator Obinna Ogba.

Ogba said the club would address all the lapses noticed during the just-concluded campaign ahead of the 2026–27 season.

He added that further information regarding retained players would be communicated in due course.

Abakaliki FC finished fifth in the Conference B table with 25 points.

They were eliminated from the President Federation Cup by Barau FC in the Round of 32 in Abuja.

President Federation Cup: Abakaliki FC announce 55-day break after Federation Cup exit

Former Bayern Munich striker, Jurgen Klinsmann, has picked his two major favourites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking in the recent episode of Stick To Football, Klinsmann picked Portugal and Brazil as the two main favourites to win the World Cup.

The 61-year-old German, however, admitted that England has the quality to win the World Cup if they believe in themselves.

“My two favourites are Portugal, because I see a little bit of similarities to Argentina and Qatar, where everybody played for Messi,” Klinsmann said.

“Portugal, everybody plays for Ronaldo. Cristiano is fully supported by this incredible team. It’s an incredible team of quality. With a very, very good coach, Roberto Martinez.

“I think Brazil also has a shot at it, and England has absolute quality, equality if they have the belief.”

World Cup 2026: Jurgen Klinsmann picks two major favourites to win trophy

Rayados and Anthony Martial have agreed a mutual contract termination.

It means that Martial will leave the Mexican club as a free agent with immediate effect.

This was revealed by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, via his X page on Saturday night.

Romano wrote: “Anthony Martial and Rayados have agreed on contract termination on a mutual agreement.

“The French striker leaves Mexican side as a free agent.”

In Mexico, Martial made just 20 appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal and three assists along the way.

The 30-year-old was once regarded as the next big thing in French football and moved from Monaco to Manchester United in 2015, but his career has since declined.

Anthony Martial’s contract terminated

Igoh Ogbu has been ruled out of Nigeria’s upcoming international friendly against Portugal due to injury, DAILY POST reports.

Ogbu, according to Super Eagles media officer, Promise Efoghe sustained a achilles tendon injury during Saturday’s training session in Leiria.

The centre-back is now expected to return to his Czech club, Slavia Prague for treatment.

The 26-year-old featured in Nigeria’s two games at the Unity Cup invitational tournament in London last month.

Ogbu started the Super Eagles 2-2 draw against Poland on Wednesday, making way for Semi Ajayi after the break.

The Super Eagles will take on World Cup -bound Portugal in a friendly in Leiria next week Wednesday.

Friendly: Ogbu to miss Super Eagles vs Portugal with injury 

Nigerian youngster Zadok Yohanna has joined Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion on a permanent transfer.

Yohanna, who linked up with the Seagulls from Swedish club AIK penned a five-year contract.

Brighton beat Newcastle United and Chelsea to the signature of the winger.

The 18-year-old has caught the eye with his impressive performances for AIK this season.

Yohanna scored two goals and registered three assists in seven league appearances for AIK before completing the move to Brighton.

He joined the modest side from Ikon Allah Academy last year.

Transfer: Brighton sign Nigerian youngster on five-year contract 

Manchester United defender, Diogo Dalot has claimed that Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo once told him that a player at Old Trafford “wouldn’t make it” at the club because he lacked “fire” in his game.

Dalot revealed this in a piece for the Players’ Tribune, published on Friday.

Ronaldo and Dalot played together at United after the five-time Ballon d’Or winner made a sensational return to the Premier League side.

In December 2022, Ronaldo eventually departed after falling out with Erik ten Hag, who was the manager at the time.

Dalot said: “That season with Cristiano was when I really started to grow as a player and as a person. I lost count of the number of predictions he got right, because he knows so well what it takes to go to the top.

“If anyone skipped a set in the gym, he would notice. We had a striker here who did really well for us in his first season, but Cristiano said, “He’s not gonna make it here.”

EPL: This striker won’t make it at Man Utd – What Cristiano Ronaldo told Dalot

Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford, doesn’t want to move to Arsenal this summer transfer window.

Spanish outlet, Sport, reports that Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle have all expressed an interest in the England international.

However, Rashford has his heart set on a move to Barcelona.

Rashford spent last season on loan at Barcelona from Man United.

He helped the Blaugrana win the LaLiga title ahead of rivals Real Madrid.

Barcelona has already decided to sign the 28-year-old permanently from the Red Devils.

But the Catalan club is yet to strike a deal with Man United for Rashford’s signature.

Transfer: Rashford takes decision on joining Arsenal 

Trabzonspor have rejected an offer in the region of  €11m for their talismanic striker Paul Onuachu, DAILY POST reports

The offer was submitted by a Saudi Arabian club, according to Turkish news outlet, takagazete.

It is expected that the club will return with an improved option for the Nigeria international.

Saudi club Al-Ahli had an offer reportedly rejected for Onuachu by Trabzonspor during the January transfer window.

Onuachu was joint-top scorer in the Turkish Super Lig in the 2025/26 season.

The 32-year-old helped Trabzonspor claim the Turkish Cup, scoring twice in the final against Konyaspor.

Trabzonspor turn down €11m bid for Onuachu

Portugal coach, Roberto Martinez, has provided his team news update ahead of his side’s international friendly clash with Nigeria.

The Seleção das Quinas will face the Super Eagles on Wednesday, June 10.

Portugal will face Chile on Saturday before taking on Nigeria on Wednesday.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the encounter, Martinez confirmed that Manchester City right-back Matheus Nunes is unfit to train and, as a result, will be absent from the squad to face Chile.

He also confirmed that former Barcelona and Chelsea star João Félix will undergo a late fitness test to determine his availability.

“Unfortunately, Matheus Nunes is not yet fit to train, so he is out of the squad for tomorrow. It’s not the time to take risks. We hope Matheus will be fit for the second game against Nigeria,” Martinez said as quoted by A Bola.

“João Félix will train, and we will make a decision after training, but I think it’s a different situation. I feel it’s positive and that he will be fit to play tomorrow.”

Portugal coach, Martinez gives team news ahead of Nigeria clash

Brazilian legend Romario had named six favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.

Speaking with The Guardian, Romario snubbed England and named Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, France and Portugal as the favourites to win the World Cup.

“Brazil has a stature, and the Brazil shirt carries a weight that people respect a great deal,” Romano said.

“England are a good team, but I would not put them among the favourites.

“My favourites are France, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Germany and Brazil.”

Romano has won the World Cup in the past with Brazil in 1994.

World Cup 2026: Brazil legend Romario names six favourites to win trophy