Category: Sports

Haruna Hadi is set to seal a move to Sporting Lagos for the 2026-27 season, DAILY POST reports.

According to reports, Sporting Lagos have reached a full agreement with Remo Stars to sign the midfielder.

Hadi is expected to sign a two-year contract with the modest club.

He was previously linked with Shooting Stars but Sporting Lagos hijacked the move.

Hadi was one of the standout performers for the Sky Blue Stars in the 2025-26 season.

He netted five goals in 32 appearances for Remo Stars last term.

Hadi won the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, title with Remo Stars in 2025.

NPFL: Haruna Hadi close to Sporting Lagos move

Kwara United technical adviser, Ashifat Suleiman, has assured that his team will improve on last season’s performance in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The Harmony Boys managed to maintain their top-flight status last term.

Suleiman promised that the team will get it right with the recruitment of good players in the upcoming season.

“Las season was a bit tough for the team as it got to a stage that it looked like we can’t escape the drop but later the team picked up,” Suleiman stated in a chat with the media.

“We have learned a lot from last season, what we want to do is to pick positives from our performance last term.

“We want to strengthen our team and correct all the lapses to get a better team with the right recruitment this season.”

DAILY POST reports that Kwara United commenced pre-season training for the 2026-27 season on Monday.

NPFL: Ashifat targets Kwara United improvement next season

Former Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has raised questions about Argentina captain, Lionel Messi.

The former Nigerian international was speaking after Messi led Argentina to beat Egypt 3-2 in a World Cup Round of 16 encounter on Tuesday.

Speaking on Fox Sports, Mikel wondered what Messi eats.

“Argentina is coming through yet another difficult game, where they have been pushed to the limit. How much has Messi played, how much has been taken away from him mentally, psychologically, physically as well,” Obi Mikel said.

“That’s going to be the question as well, how much can he give again to be able to drag this Argentina team yet again to another semi-final.

“That’s going to be the question, but when you have Messi, I don’t know what the guy eats. I don’t know what he eats because every time you think it is finished, he comes up with something spectacular.”

World Cup 2026: Obi Mikel raises questions about Lionel Messi

Egypt have submitted an official complaint to FIFA about the refereeing decisions during their last-16 tie against Argentina.

They have also demanded that the world football governing body removes referee Francois Letexier, who took charge of the game, from the remainder of the World Cup.

The Pharoahs’ coach, Hossam Hassan, had accused Letexier of being “unfair” and claimed the competition was “directed towards Argentina” following their dramatic 3-2 defeat.

Argentina scored three goals within 13 minutes to set up a quarter-final clash with Switzerland.

However, their late winner was marred by controversy, after Hassan claimed his team was denied a penalty moments before Julian Alvarez started the counter-attack, which led to Enzo Fernandez’s 92nd-minute header.

2026 World Cup: Egypt drag Argentina before FIFA after 3-2 defeat

At least 17 players are walking the disciplinary tightrope ahead of the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals.

The players are one yellow card away from suspension for a potential semi-final match.

This is due to their bookings in the last 16 of the competition that rounded off on Tuesday.

Four of those players represent Morocco: Issa Diop, Achraf Hakimi, Redouane Halhal and Bilal El Khannouss.

England also have four players: Jude Bellingham, Nico O’Reilly, Declan Rice and Marc Guehi.

The France duo of Michael Olise and Manu Kone are also at risk.

Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria and Miro Muheim face the same situation, while Spain’s Ferran Torres, Norway’s Antonio Nusa, Belgium’s Brandon Mechele and Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel complete the list.

2026 World Cup quarter-finals: 17 players facing one-match ban

Egypt head coach. Hossam Hassan, has claimed their last-16 match at the 2026 World Cup was rigged in favour of Argentina.

The Pharoahs threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 on Tuesday evening.

But some of the officiating calls left Hassan angry after the game.

“I will say what’s on my mind regardless of consequence,” Hassan said.

“This was clearly a rigged match and the whole world saw it.

“And I want to say one more thing: if they want [Argentina] to win so bad, why call everyone to come and participate?”

2026 World Cup: The match was rigged for Argentina – Egypt coach, Hassan

Midtjylland striker, Stanley Iheanacho, has disclosed that Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen serves as his primary role model after making a remarkable return to the Danish club in preparation for the 2026/27 season.

The Nigerian forward, who rejoined Midtjylland this summer after a successful tenure at Portuguese club CD Mafra, has had a highly productive pre-season.

Iheanacho has netted goals in each of the club’s three friendly matches against Lillestrøm, Malmö, and Silkeborg, bringing his total to three goals and reinforcing his bid for a significant role in the upcoming season.

In an interview with Midtjylland’s official media on Tuesday, Iheanacho acknowledged Galatasaray striker Osimhen as the athlete who continually motivates his growth both on and off the field.

“Yes, I admire Victor Osimhen (the Nigerian national team striker currently playing for Galatasaray, ed.). He is an incredible individual, a fighter who has overcome poverty,” Iheanacho stated.

“His warrior mentality is truly motivating, and he gives his all when he plays – he possesses an insatiable hunger for goals. I can see many qualities in him that resonate with me.”

The young striker also mentioned that he diligently analyzes Osimhen’s performances and interviews to enhance his own skills, while expressing his aspiration to one day play alongside the Nigeria international.

“I watch his highlights and all the interviews he participates in. I strive to learn from him, and my dream is to share the pitch with him someday,” Iheanacho concluded.

Iheanacho secured his return to Midtjylland following an impressive season with CD Mafra, where he concluded with 14 goals in the Portuguese Liga 3.

With his confidence elevated after a successful pre-season, the promising forward aims to maintain his prolific scoring streak into the 2026/27 season and justify the club’s decision to bring him back to Denmark.

‘I look up to Osimhen’ – Iheanacho

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, on Tuesday made history after missing a penalty in his side’s World Cup Round of 16 clash against Egypt.

DAILY POST reports that Yasser Ibrahim put Egypt in front in the 15th minute of the encounter.

Argentina was then awarded a penalty a few minutes later before half-time.

Messi stepped up to take the penalty, saw his effort being saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir as the first half ended 1-0 in favour of the North Africans.

However, Messi is now the first player in World Cup history to miss two penalties at a single edition (excluding shootouts), according to OptaJoe.

Messi later scored a goal as Argentina won 3-2 against Egypt to qualify for the quarter-final.

World Cup 2026: Argentina’s Messi makes history after missing penalty against Egypt

Former Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has said that he is hopeful that Morocco will upset France and further Africa’s historic journey at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Troost-Ekong commended the advancements made by African teams on the international stage, emphasizing Morocco’s extraordinary achievement at the 2022 World Cup, where they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

He asserted that the performances of African teams in the current tournament demonstrate their ability to compete with the world’s elite.

Reflecting on Morocco’s historic campaign four years, Troost-Ekong said, “At the last World Cup, Morocco dismantled those barriers and showcased what is achievable.

“From what we have observed thus far in this tournament, numerous African teams, players, and individual performances have proven that they can stand toe-to-toe with the very best globally.

“I am very hopeful that this could be the World Cup where an African team surpasses Morocco’s achievements. If they reach that level, I hope they can go all the way,” he stated.

Morocco’s remarkable performances have once again positioned them as the leading African contenders in the tournament, and Troost-Ekong believes the Atlas Lions embody the continent’s best chance of making history.

As Morocco gears up for a highly anticipated match against France on Thursday, 9 July, Troost-Ekong feels they will once again bear the hopes of millions of African fans.

“Morocco is undoubtedly the first team that comes to mind,” he remarked.

Troost-Ekong also recognized the contributions of other African nations that made an impression during the tournament, highlighting the performances of Senegal and Ivory Coast prior to their eliminations.

He said, “Senegal and Ivory Coast both performed exceptionally well until their exits, and they were somewhat unfortunate.”

2026 World Cup: ‘I’m very hopeful’ – Troost-Ekong predicts Morocco vs France

Former Sweden striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has insisted that Argentina captain Lionel Messi became an animal that nobody could catch.

Ibrahimovic said this while reacting to Argentina’s comeback win against Egypt at the World Cup.

Recall that Argentina came from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the World Cup Round of 16 encounter on Tuesday.

The Pharaohs scored twice through Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, before three goals from Messi, Cristian Romero, and Enzo Fernandez gave Argentina the win against the North Africans.

“You can see that he [Messi] wanted it [the win]. You could see when it was 0-2, something changed. He moment, he took the ball, he made some dribble, dribbled two guys and made a cross,” Henry said on Fox Sports.

“He was after something, you could see it, and he is on a mission now. He will not let go, he didn’t want to leave this tournament, then he made the first assist for the first goal, then he scored the second goal, then finally somebody else helped him to get the winner.

“But you can see he switched gear, he became an animal, and nobody could catch him, he just went on. You could see how emotional he is, how much it means to him. Remember, he has already won this World Cup, a lot of trophies, Ballon d’Ors, FIFA player of the year awards, everything.”

World Cup 2026: ‘Messi became an animal, nobody could catch him’ – Zlatan Ibrahimovic