Category: Sports

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

Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.

According to The Athletic, a move for Tzolis would not impact the Gunners’ interest in Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers or an alternative target.

The club’s sporting director, Andrea Bertea, continues to work in the market to strengthen their attack.

Sources believe a deal for Tzolis could be possible for around €40million.

The 24-year-old scored 43 goals for Club Brugge across two seasons, having found the net 23 times for Fortuna Dusseldorf in 2. Bundesliga in 2023-24.

Arsenal are looking to bring in a new left winger, and have inquired about Juventus’ 21-year-old Turkey international Kenan Yildiz.

Transfer: Arsenal eye €40m move for Christos Tzolis amid interest in Morgan Rogers

Former Super Eagles midfielder, Duke Udi, has been unveiled as the new technical adviser of Nigeria National League, NNL, side Sunshine Stars.

The Ondo State Football Agency, ODSFA, announced Udi’s arrival in a brief unveiling ceremony on Friday.

Udi previously managed Firstbank FC in the NNL last season.

The former Nigeria international was unveiled alongside Banjo Adepoju.

Adepoju will serve as the head coach of the Akure club.

Udi’s led technical crew has been charged to remain focused on the task ahead and avoid all forms of distraction as the club pursues its objectives in the 2026-27 NNL season.

NNL: Sunshine Stars unveil Udi as new technical adviser  

FIFA has confirmed that Ghana’s Thomas Partey will not be able to travel to Canada for their 2026 World Cup opener against Panama.

Partey has been denied visa into the North America over allegations of rape.

He will now sit out the Black Star’s first game at the tournament.

FIFA said in a statement on Friday: “FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government.

“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas.

“As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”

2026 World Cup: FIFA releases statement as Partey is denied entry into Canada

France forward, Ousmane Dembele, has named Argentina captain Lionel Messi as the best player he has ever seen in his career.

Dembele also identified Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane as the manager he wants to coach the French national team.

The Ballon d’Or winner stated this during an interview with Marca ahead of France’s World Cup opener against Senegal on Tuesday.

“Lionel Messi is the best player I have ever seen,” Dembele said.

“He’s 38, but he’s still fantastic, dangerous… his quality never gets old. We have to be all very careful, Leo can still win the World Cup.”

He added, “Zinedine Zidane is a legend, he’s a reference. I hope one day he becomes the new France head coach.

“He won three Champions League titles in a row; he could do an incredible job with the national team.”

Dembele names best player he has ever seen, upmanager he wants to coach France

France forward, Ousmane Dembele, has defended his teammate Kylian Mbappe, saying that people should stop criticizing the Real Madrid star.

Mbappe has been the subject of intense scrutiny since taking over the France captaincy in 2023.

Also, since he failed to win any major trophy at Real Madrid last season.

Speaking to Marca ahead of France’s World Cup opener against Senegal on Tuesday, Dembele said, “There are too many critics towards Kylian.

“Mbappe is incredible, a top player and a great guy off the pitch. People should not be so aggressive against him.

“They criticise Kylian for anything he does. That’s way too much.”

World Cup 2026: People should stop criticizing him – Dembele defends Mbappe