Preseason: Arsenal held by Como in final friendly

Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw with Como in their final pre-season friendly on Wednesday night.

The Premier League champions opened the scoring in the first half, after Myles Lewis-Skelly pounced on a loose pass.

However, the Gunners were pegged back before the half-time break.

Como equalized after Martin Baturina danced into the area and fired high into the roof of the net.

Arsenal won the penalty shoot-out after the game with a 4-3 scoreline.

Mikel Arteta’s men will now open their season with Sunday’s Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley.

Next Friday, they begin their title defence against Coventry at home.

Preseason: Arsenal held by Como in final friendly

Transfer: Chelsea set Friday deadline for Man City to complete Enzo Fernandez deal

Chelsea have told Manchester City they have a deadline of 5pm this Friday, to make an offer for Enzo Fernandez.

City are interested in the Argentina international, who has a strong relationship with Enzo Maresca from their time at Stamford Bridge.

Having replaced Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, Maresca is eyeing a move for Fernandez.

However, Chelsea value Fernandez at £120m. The player has six years left on his current contract.

If City do not meet Chelsea’s demands, they do not intend to sell Fernandez in this window.

Earlier in the summer, Fernandez also attracted attention from Real Madrid.

Transfer: Chelsea set Friday deadline for Man City to complete Enzo Fernandez deal

NPFL: Rangers, Rivers United, El-Kanemi, 3SC clash in pre-season tournament

Nigeria representatives at the 2026-27 CAF club competitions will clash in a pre-season tournament in Jos, Plateau State.

The pre-season tournament is scheduled to run from Monday, August 17th to Sunday August 24th.

The tournament is organized to get all the teams ready for the continental competitions.

NPFL side, Plateau United and Nigeria National League, NNL, side Mighty Jets will also take part in the pre-season tournament.

Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, champions Rangers and runners-up Rivers United will compete in the CAF Champions league.

Second runners-up Shooting Stars and 2026 President Federation Cup champions El-Kanemi Warriors will participate in the CAF confederation cup.

The pre-season tournament is scheduled to run from Monday, August 17th to Sunday August 24th.

NPFL: Rangers, Rivers United, El-Kanemi, 3SC clash in pre-season tournament

Xavi’s new managerial job confirmed

Xavi

Former Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands.

The 46-year-old has signed a four-year deal until the 2030 World Cup.

Xavi will now replace Ronald Koeman, who took charge of the team at this year’s World Cup.

The former Spain midfielder joins the Dutch national side after his spell with Barcelona.

Xavi is expected to bring in Patrick Kluivert as part of his coaching staff.

Kluivert will join the project as assistant to the new national team coach.

Xavi’s new managerial job confirmed

WAFCON 2026: Malawi through to final after beating Algeria

Malawi, on Wednesday evening, qualified for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, final after beating Algeria.

The Scorchers won 3-1 against Algeria in the WAFCON semi-final encounter to book a place in Sunday’s final.

A brace from Tabitha Chawinga and a goal from Temwa Chawinga gave Malawi the win against the North Africans.

Ikram Adjabi scored a goal for Algeria in the second half.

The outcome of the encounter means Malawi will now face the winner between Cameroon and Morocco in the WAFCON final.

Algeria, on the other hand, will face the loser in the third-place final this weekend.

WAFCON 2026: Malawi through to final after beating Algeria

Chinedu Ozor: Katsina United clarifies reports of player coming back to life in mortuary

Katsina United has dismissed claims that their player, Chinedu Ozor, has returned to life after being declared dead and taken to a mortuary.

Ozor, who recently became a member of the Katsina-based club, collapsed during a pre-season friendly match against Niger Tornadoes FC at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Tuesday.

He was declared dead after experiencing a medical emergency during the game, which led Katsina United to announce his passing and express their condolences.

However, a new development surfaced on Tuesday evening when grassroots sports journalist Prince CJ reported that Ozor displayed signs of movement while at the mortuary.

According to the journalist, the player was then swiftly transported back to the hospital, where he is currently receiving oxygen as medical staff attempt to revive him.

In a public statement, the club’s media team clarified that the report regarding his revival was untrue and should be ignored.

“Chinedu Ozor passed away following the incident. Claims suggesting that he later regained consciousness or ‘came back to life’ are inaccurate and should be dismissed.

“In the wake of his death announcement, his family, understandably in shock and holding onto hope, requested further medical verification before his body was taken to the morgue. This should not be misconstrued as an indication of him being alive or regaining consciousness.

“We implore the public, particularly media outlets and bloggers, to cease the dissemination of this false report and allow the family, teammates, and the football community to mourn Chinedu Ozor with the respect he deserves. May his soul rest in peace.”

Chinedu Ozor: Katsina United clarifies reports of player coming back to life in mortuary

NPFL: Shooting Stars chief backs team to shine in new season

Shooting Stars chairman, Taiwo Salami, has expressed confidence in the recruitment done by the club ahead of the new campaign.

Salami said that the team still awaits more new signings before the start of the 2026-27 season.

He boosted that there is an improvement in the squad compared to the last campaign.

“I can boldly say am satisfied with the level of recruitment done by the club for the new season,”Salami told a radio programme in Ibadan.

“I might not say 100 percent but 90 percent as we are hopeful of adding two or three new players more to the squad.

“I can say we have a far better squad than last season as we are very intensional with our signings in this transfer window.”

Shooting Stars will start the 2026-27 campaign with a clash against newly promoted side Inter Lagos in Ibadan.

The Oluyole Warriors will also compete in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.

NPFL: Shooting Stars chief backs team to shine in new season

Ballon d’Or 2026: PSG star, Vitinha names top two players to win award

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Vitinha, has identified Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe as deserving candidates for the Ballon d’Or.

He further said that if given the opportunity, he would award the honor to one of his teammates within the Parisian squad.

In a press conference prior to the Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, Vitinha shared his preferences for the Ballon d’Or.

He acknowledged two players with a strong likelihood of winning the accolade, stating (as reported by Madrid Xtra on X), “Ballon d’Or? I’d give it to a Parisian, but there are good players like Kane or Mbappé.”

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to take place on Monday, October 26, in London, England. Nevertheless, fans remain uncertain about which player stands the best chance of securing this esteemed award.

Last season, Mbappe netted 42 goals and provided seven assists in 44 matches for Real Madrid. He concluded the season as both the LaLiga Pichichi and the UEFA Champions League Golden Boot winner.

Additionally, the striker scored 10 goals in 8 matches, finishing as the top scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On the other hand, Kane achieved 61 goals and contributed seven assists in 51 games for Bayern Munich last season.

He also scored six goals in seven matches for England during the World Cup, earned the European Golden Boot, and outscored other prominent contenders.

Ballon d’Or 2026: PSG star, Vitinha names top two players to win award

NPFL: Kwara United must improve despite impressive pre-season form – Suleiman

Kwara United technical adviser, Ashifat Suleiman, has warned his team not get carried away by their recent pre-season results as they prepare for the new campaign.

Kwara United have recorded two wins from their last two pre-season matches in Katsina.

Despite the positive results, Suleiman insisted his team must keep working harder.

“We will remain focused on our objectives,” Suleiman told the club’s media.

“The rebuilding process continues, and we must keep working hard despite the positive results.”

Kwara United will open their 2026-27 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, campaign with a home clash against Kano Pillars in Ilorin.

NPFL: Kwara United must improve despite impressive pre-season form – Suleiman

WAFCON 2026: Nigerian referee Akintoye to handle Algeria vs Malawi clash

Nigeria’s Yemisi Akintoye will take charge of tonight’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final encounter between Algeria and Malawi, DAILY POST reports.

The encounter is slated for the Olympic Stadium, Rabat. It will kick-off at 6pm Nigerian time.

It’s the second time Akintoye will officiate a game at WAFCON 2026.

The arbiter officiated the Group A encounter between Senegal and Kenya at the Olympic Stadium, Rabat on Thursday, 30 July.

Akintoye, who is making her debut at Africa’s flagship women’s tournament was fourth official during the opening match of WAFCON 2026 between Algeria and Kenya.

Togolese referee, Vincentia Enyonam will officiate the second semi-final between hosts Morocco and Cameron.

The encounter slated for the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat will start at 9pm Nigerian time.

WAFCON 2026: Nigerian referee Akintoye to handle Algeria vs Malawi clash

Verified by MonsterInsights