Category: Sports

Holders Bayelsa Queens recorded their first win in the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, Super Six playoff courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Rivers Angels.

The Prosperity Girls showed resilience and character to reclaim the lead after being pegged back in the second half.

Chiamaka Ezekwugo opened the scoring for Bayelsa Queens with a powerful header one minute before the half  hour mark.

Abasiofon Uwah restored parity for Rivers Angels from the penalty spot in the 58th minute.

However, Dorshima Taarnum’s 63rd minute decisive strike proved to be the difference as Bayelsa Queens sealed all three points.

Bayelsa Queens moved to third position  on the standings with four points from three games following the win.

NWFL: Bayelsa Queens beat Rivers Angels to end barren streak

Former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has named France as the favourites to win the World Cup this year.

Wenger believes Didier Deschamps’ side is above all other teams in the tournament.

“I put them above the others. France have so much talent, and Deschamps has experience,” Wenger told Le Figaro when speaking about the favourites to win the World Cup.

“We have so many attacking players that the danger is being a little unbalanced offensively.

“But today, the modern player, even an attacking one, knows how to do his share of the defensive work.

“When you’re 0-0 against France with 20 minutes to go, you lose the match. Power makes the difference.”

France won the 2018 World Cup, but failed to win it in 2022 after losing the final against Argentina.

World Cup 2026: They’re above others – Wenger names country to win trophy

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina skipper, Lionel Messi, are leading the list of highest-paid players at the 2026 World Cup.

Ronaldo is number one on the list with estimated pre-tax and pre-agent fee earnings of $295 million over the past 12 months, according to Sportico.

This primarily comes from his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.

The Portugal forward joined Al-Nassr in 2023, earning approximately $230 million on-field in the past season after renewing a two-year contract with the club.

It is widely believed that Ronaldo’s contract arrangement is subsidized by commercial agreements endorsed by the club.

The 41-year-old also earns approximately $65 million annually from a range of partners, including Nike and Herbalife.

Here is the list of the highest-earning players that would be competing at the 2026 World Cup:

1. Ronaldo: $295 million (On-field earnings: $230 million; Off-field earnings: $65 million)

2. Messi: $140 million (On-field earnings: $70 million; Off-field earnings: $70 million)

3. Mbappe: $100 million (On-field earnings: $70 million; Off-field earnings: $30 million)

4. Haaland: $80 million (On-field earnings: $60 million; Off-field earnings: $20 million)

5. Vinicius: $60 million (On-field earnings: $40 million; Off-field earnings: $20 million)

6. Salah: $55 million (On-field earnings: $35 million; Off-field earnings: $20 million)

7. Sadio Mane: $54 million (On-field earnings: $50 million; Off-field earnings: $4 million)

8. Mahrez: $53 million (On-field earnings: $52 million; Off-field earnings: $1 million)

9. Bellingham: $44 million (On-field earnings: $29 million; Off-field earnings)

10. Yamal: $43 million (On-field earnings: $33 million; Off-field earnings: $10 million)

11. Kane: $42 million (On-field earnings: $30 million; Off-field earnings: $12 million)

World Cup 2026: Ronaldo, Messi lead list of highest-paid players [Top 11]

Arsenal are closing in on appointing former Olympic sprinter Arnaldo Abrantes as the Gunners’ new first-team doctor after the sacking of Zafar Iqbal.

The Telegraph reports that Abrantes is now poised for the job.

Abrantes is understood to have left his most recent position as the head of medical services at Aston Villa following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

The 39-year-old has also worked for Nottingham Forest as head of performance in the past.

Meanwhile, in another development,

West Ham United confirmed that defender Axel Disasi is returning to parent club Chelsea after the conclusion of his six-month loan deal at the London Stadium.

Disasi will now hope for a fresh start at Chelsea under new manager Xabi Alonso.

The 27-year-old made 17 appearances in the Premier League and FA Cup, scoring against Leeds in the sixth round.

Arsenal close in on Arnaldo Abrantes, Chelsea defender returns as Alonso arrives

Chelsea have officially confirmed that four players will leave the club at the expiration of their current contracts on June 30.

This was revealed in a statement posted on its X handle on Wednesday.

The Stamford Bridge outfit unveiled its retained and released list, following the end of the 2025/26 season.

According to the statement, “Defender Brodi Hughes leaves the Blues after 13 years in our Academy.”

“Hughes joined Chelsea as an Under-8 and progressed through the ranks at Cobham, spending the previous season on loan at League One side AFC Wimbledon.

“Richard Olise also moves on after a decade with the club,” the statement added.

He joined Chelsea as an Under-9 and featured across several youth levels, and was named in the first-team squad for the UEFA Conference League trip to Astana during the 2024/25 season.

Midfielder Sam Rak-Sakyi will also depart the Blues after making four first-team appearances.

He joined the Academy at age eight, rose through the youth system at Cobham, and represented England at youth level.

During the 2024/25 season, Rak-Sakyi made his debut in the UEFA Conference League against Noah and featured three more times in the competition.

Jimi Tauriainen is the fourth player to leave the club.

He joined Chelsea in 2020 and was previously named among the first-team substitutes for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool in 2024.

EPL: Chelsea confirm four players to leave club as Xabi Alonso arrives

Newly promoted Serie A club Hellas Verona are interested in Hoffenheim striker Gift Orban, DAILY POST reports.

Orban has returned to Hoffenheim after spending the 2025/26 season on loan with another Italian club, Hellas Verona.

The 23-year-old netted seven times, and registered three assists in 28 league appearances for Verona.

Verona opted not to sign the Nigerian on a permanent transfer despite his impressive loan stint.

According to Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Venezia are considering a move for Orban as they continue to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Venezia top the Serie B table last season, and eager to maintain their top-flight status.

Transfer: Venezia line up move for Nigerian forward 

Former Sunshine Stars player, Kehinde Abiodun had been appointed the club’s scout, DAILY POST reports.

The Owena Waves confirmed Abiodun’s appointment in a statement made available to DAILY POST.

Abiodun is expected to bring his keen eye for talent and vast football knowledge to help discover and nurture the next generation of players. 

His appointment is with immediate effect as they get set for the new campaign.

Sunshine Stars missed out on promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, last season.

They finished in fifth position with 25 points from 16 matches in the NNL Conference A.

NNL: Sunshine Stars appoint Kehinde Abiodun as new scout 

Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Bendel Insurance have declared a three-week break for their players and officials following the completion of the 2025-26 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.

The team is expected to return to training on Wednesday, July 1 ,2026 for the new season preparations.

General Manager Charles Ihimekpen delivered the message at a meeting with the team on Tuesday.

Ihimekpen acknowledged the club’s fifth-place finish last season but lamented their dramatic exit from the President Federation Cup.

The Benin Arsenals were eliminated from the competition by El-Kanemi Warriors.

“We could not achieve what we planned to get, but when you look back to where we are coming from, there is need to thank God and still appreciate you guys,” Ihimekpen said during his meeting with the team.

“We hope all of us have learnt a lesson so that next season we do not allow such a disaster.”

NPFL: Bendel Insurance embark on three-week end of season break

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has clarified the reasons behind Portugal’s choice to play against Nigeria in an international friendly, emphasizing that this decision is not influenced by rankings or comparisons, but rather by playing style and physical intensity.

Portugal intends to utilize this high-profile friendly as part of their final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with Nigeria being selected as one of their African opponents for this preparatory match.

During the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Chelle asserted that there is no disrespect in comparing teams, while also underscoring Portugal’s potential reasons for selecting Nigeria.

“This is not a lack of respect. We cannot compare Nigeria and DR Congo. I don’t think about who is the best team. I think about the philosophy. I believe they want to face an African team due to the intensity of the game. I refer to physicality, so this presents a good opportunity to compete against us,” stated the Super Eagles coach.

He also suggested that Portugal’s choice might be connected to their recent encounter with DR Congo in the playoff final.

“We faced DR Congo in the World Cup playoffs and lost on penalties. Perhaps they wish to evaluate how they can perform against them. I simply focus on my responsibilities, even if I am not the coach tomorrow,” he added.

Chelle also discussed his long-term strategy for squad development, asserting that his priority is to cultivate a balanced team capable of competing at the highest level, irrespective of external pressures or uncertainties regarding coaching.

“My role is to assemble the best players in the country to create a blend of experienced and younger individuals because Nigeria remains Nigeria after Eric. I articulated a year ago how I intend to fulfill my role, and I have executed my responsibilities; I do not attribute my success to luck,” he remarked.

He said, “When I recruit a player, it is because he has demonstrated his worth consistently each week. My responsibility is to ensure that the player is in optimal condition and at the right moment, although at times the right moment may arrive when I am not prepared for it. If we are short one or two players and this individual is unable to participate, my only option is to make the most informed decision.”

Friendly match: Why Portugal chose Nigeria – Super Eagles coach, Chelle

Real Madrid have revealed that their €150m bid for Atletico Madrid striker, Julian Alvarez, was rejected on Tuesday.

Alvarez is one of the in-demand players this summer and could leave the Wanda Metropolitano.

Atletico’s city rivals have decided to join the race for the 26-year-old.

The offer comes after Madrid president Florentino Perez promised to make a huge bid for a ‘Galatico’ if he won the vote.

An official Madrid sttatement read: “Real Madrid CF announces that, following today’s Board of Directors meeting, it has made an offer of 150 million euros to Club Atletico de Madrid for the federative rights of the player Julian Álvarez.

“After studying and evaluating it, Atletico de Madrid has thanked the club for the offer, made within the framework of the good relations existing between both clubs, and has rejected it, referring to the player’s release clause.”

Real Madrid submit €150m bid for Alvarez as Perez’s next Galactico is revealed