Category: Sports

Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, has made a u-turn of his stance about signing Rodri from Manchester City.

Perez initially refused to sanction a move for Rodri.

But according to Marca, no formal negotiations have begun between Madrid and City.

However, there is growing optimism that Rodri could become the club’s marquee signing this summer.

Madrid view the Spain captain as the ideal player to become the new leader of its midfield, a position the club considers a top priority to strengthen.

Meanwhile, Manchester City has no intention of giving up easily.

Transfer: Real Madrid president, Perez makes u-turn on Rodri deal

Folashade Oluwafemiayo produced a stunning performance to claim gold medal in the Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, DAILY POST reports.

Oluwafemiayo set a new world record , lifting 175kg to amass a total of 134.8 points.

Her compatriot Rita Ferdinand lifted 158kg to secure the silver medal.

Remarkably, Ferdinand also surpassed the previous world record, capping a breathtaking Nigerian clean sweep of the top two positions.

Australia’s Hani Watson claimed the bronze medal with 111.5kg.

It marks Nigeria’s second one-two finish of the day in para powerlifting. Esther Nworgu, and Esther Oyema had earlier claimed gold and silver in the Women’s Lightweight event.

Roland Ezuruike won Team Nigeria’s first medal of the opening day. He clinched silver medal in the men’s lightweight category.

Glasgow 2026: Oluwafemiayo breaks world record as Team Nigeria stays on medal trail

Nigeria’s Esther Nworgu has set a new Games record with a phenomenal lift of 119.0kg in the women’s para powerlifting lightweight event, DAILY POST reports.

It was Nigeria’s first Gold medal at the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Nworgu’s compatriot, Esther Onyema, claimed the silver medal with a lift of 115.5kg.

England’s Olivia Broome went home with the bronze with a lift of 106.6kg, while Kenya’s Hellen Wawira Kariuki, England’s Charlotte McGuinness, and India’s Suman Devi finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

Roland Ezuruike won Nigeria’s first medal of the Games with silver in the Men’s Lightweight event earlier in the day.

Team Nigeria has now won three medals on the opening day – one gold and two silver.

Glasgow 2026: Nworgu clinches Nigeria’s first Gold in record-breaking style

El-kanemi Warriors have unveiled King Emmanuel as their new technical adviser, DAILY POST reports.

The unveiling ceremony took place at the Colonel Abdulmumin Aminu Camp, Maiduguri on Friday.

Emmanuel takes over from Kabiru Dogo, who left the role at the end of last season.

Dogo, who guided the Borno Army to win the 2026 President Federation Cup has linked up with Niger Tornadoes.

El-kanemi Warriors were relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, last season.

Emmanuel has been tasked with ensuring the club’s immediate return to the top-flight.

The Maiduguri club will also compete in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.

NNL: El-Kanemi Warriors appoint Emmanuel King as technical adviser

Michael Ibe is attracting interest from Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Enyimba, DAILY POST reports.

Ibe left Remo Stars at the end of last season following the expiration of his contract.

The 31-year-old midfielder won the NPFL title with Remo Stars in the 2024/25 session.

Ibe was named Katsina United ‘s Player of the Season award in the 2023/ 2024 season.

According to reports, the nine-time champions are keen for midfield reinforcements ahead of the new season.

DAILY POST recalls that Enyimba parted ways with two of their key midfielder, Chinedu Ufere and Kalu Nweke at the end of last season

NPFL: Enyimba step up pursuit for free agent Michael Ibe

AC Milan legend, Andrea Pirlo, is set to become the head coach of Italy’s national football team.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Italian Federation approached Pirlo on Friday over the head coach role for the next four years.

The former manager is now the clear favourite to take over and become the new Italy head coach.

This comes after both Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti turned down approaches from the Italian federation over the vacant coaching job.

Recall that Gennaro Gattuso left his role as Italy head coach in April by mutual agreement after failing to qualify the team for the 2026 World Cup.

Pirlo set to become Italy’s next head coach

Roland Ezuruike has clinched Nigeria’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after winning a silver medal in the men’s Lightweight Group A Powerlifting event, DAILY POST reports.

Ezuruike came close to claiming a gold medal but narrowly missed out on the games record of 190kg in his last attempt.

He accumulated a total of 153.9 points after two successful lifts.

England’s Mark Swan won the gold medal, while Malaysia’s Bonnie Bunyau Gustin claimed bronze with a lift of 153.5kg.

Another Nigerian, Ibrahim Dauda, also produced a commendable performance, lifting 140.1kg to finish fifth in the highly competitive event.

Earlier in the day, Team Nigeria’s men’s 3×3 Basketball team defeated the Cayman Islands 21–17 in their opening Pool A fixture.

Glasgow 2026: Ezuruike wins Team Nigeria’s first medal

Former Arsenal defender, William Gallas, has picked the player to win the Ballon d’Or this year.

The winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or will be announced on October 26  in London.

Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele is the player who won the last edition of the Ballon d’Or in 2025.

Speaking on the player to win the Ballon d’Or this year, Gallas ruled out England’s Harry Kane and picked Spain’s Lamine Yamal.

According to the former Chelsea star, Yamal is the number one favourite for the prestigious individual prize because he won both the World Cup.

“Harry Kane didn’t have a great, great World Cup. Even if he scored goals, his World Cup was not the best. So, forget about Harry Kane winning the Ballon d’Or,” Gallas told iPredicta (as quoted by Yahoo Sports).

“You have to be focused on players like Lamine Yamal, who I think is the number one because he won the World Cup and his performances were good, despite having an injury at the start.”

Ballon d’Or 2026: He’s number one favourite – William Gallas picks player to win award

Per Mertesacker has been appointed the new managing director for sport at the German FA, DFB.

The 41-year-old will succeed Andreas Rettig on a contract that runs until the 2030 World Cup.

He will officially take up his new role on 1 January 2027.

This is coming less than a few months after he left his role as Arsenal’s academy coach earlier.

Mertesacker will be responsible for the German national team and its academy.

His arrival coincides with that of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who was announced as Germany’s new head coach on Friday.

Per Mertesacker gets new job after leaving Arsenal

Nigerian left-back Taiwo Abdulrafiu has completed a permanent move to Tanzanian Premier League side Azam FC, DAILY POST reports.

Abdulrafiu featured for Rivers United in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, last season.

He put pen to paper on a three-year contract with the Tanzanian giants.

Abdulrafiu previously featured for Bayelsa United before moving to Rivers United.

He was also part of Nigeria’s squad to the 2024 African Nations Championship.

Abdulrafiu will bring experience and versatility to the Azam FC squad as the club prepare for the new Tanzanian Premier League season and continental competition.

He becomes the latest Nigerian player to move to East Africa, following a growing trend of NPFL talents securing deals abroad.

Transfer: Tanzanian club Azam FC sign Abdulrafiu from Rivers United