Category: Sports

Jamaica head coach Rudolph Speid is confident his team can beat the Super Eagles in the final of the Unity Cup, DAILY POST reports.

The Reggae Boys booked their spot in the final of the invitational tournament following a comfortable 2-0 victory over India on Wednesday night.

Courtney Clarke and Kaheim Dixon were on target for Jamaica in the game.

The North Americans have lost in the final of the last two editions of the Unity Cup to the Super Eagles.

They came close to beating Éric Chelle’s side last year rallying from 2-0 down before succumbing 5-4 on penalities.

Speid is upbeat they can overcome the three-time African champions this time around.

“Well, they (Super Eagles) are very, very good but every team is beatable, and we have to be aware of what they bring. We have some things to bring ourselves. Jamaica is still in a rebuilding stage, lots of young players. 

“As with the game these days, nobody is a winner before the game is played. That’s where we are right now,” Speid said after his team’s victory over India.

The final will hold at the Valley on Saturday night.

Unity Cup: Jamaica coach confident of victory against Super Eagles 

Chelsea star, Joao Pedro, has revealed he told teammate Cole Palmer to come and play the number 10 position for Brazil ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Pedro, who was dropped from the Brazilian squad for the World Cup, believes Palmer would start as a number 10 for the Seleção.

According to him, the current Brazil squad under head coach Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t have a number 10.

Coincidentally, just like Pedro, Palmer also failed to make the England squad for the World Cup.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Pedro said of Palmer, “He’s very intelligent. He’s magic.

“I said to him before, ‘I didn’t think you were that good.’ And he just looked at me! But now, because I play with him, yeah, he’s different.

“I said to him, ‘Why don’t you come to Brazil? Take the number 10 there, mate. No problem.’

“Because in Brazil, we don’t have this guy. If you watch us, we play 4-2-4. We don’t have a number 10.”

World Cup 2026: Come play number 10 for Brazil – Joao Pedro tells England star

The organizers of the Ballon d’Or have confirmed that the 2026 edition will be hosted in London, UK.

The 70th edition of award ceremony has been fixed for October 26, 2026.

As the European football season draws to a close, and with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, fans and pundits will be watching to see who succeeds 2025 winner Ousmane Dembele.

Dembele is one of the top favourites for the prize, with Paris Saint-Germain set to play Arsenal in the Champions League final this weekend.

PSG have already clinched the Ligue 1 title.

Dembele’s team-mate, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, is another hot contender for the award.

Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane saw his odds drop after their elimination from the Champions League semi-final, while Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid is still in the running.

2026 Ballon d’Or: Details of awards confirmed as Dembele, Harry Kane, Mbappe battle

Barcelona are interested in signing Piero Hincapie from Arsenal this summer, according to the Daily Mail.

The LaLiga champions are already bolstering their squad ahead of next season.

They have agreed a £70 million plus deal to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.

Barca are also keen to wrap up a deal for Atletico Madrid striker, Julian Alvarez.

Hincapie arrived at the Emirates from Bayer Leverkusen last summer on loan with an option to buy for £45 million and a 10 percent sell-on clause. Should they trigger the option, a five year contract is pre-agreed.

The 24-year-old has bedded in well at Arsenal proving a reliable member of the squad filling in at centre-back and left-back.

EPL: Barcelona eye £45m deal for Arsenal defender after Anthony Gordon transfer

Nigerian-born defender, Ime Okon has been included in South Africa’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Okon, who was born to a Nigerian father and South African mother, currently plays for Bundesliga club Hannover 96.

The 22-year-old has already represented Bafana Bafana five times.

Okon will be making his debut for South Africa at a major tournament after he was snubbed for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Cross are the new names that have been called up by head coach Hugo Broos.

A look at the 26 names shows that 19 of them play in the South African league.

South Africa Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele (both Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK, Norway), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)

Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus)

2026 World Cup: Nigeria-born defender, Okon included in South Africa’s squad

Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Junior, has Spain among favourite to win the World Cup this year.

According to the Brazilian, Spain has won the Euros, and they also have Barcelona star player Lamine Yamal in their squad.

“Spain are among the favourites at the World Cup, they won the Euros, and they have Lamine Yamal,” Vinicius told Cazé TV.

“Lamine is one of the best in the world. Fans pay tickets for players like him,” he said.

Spain is in Group H at the World Cup and will face Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde and Uruguay.

The last time Spain won the World Cup was in 2010 in South Africa.

World Cup 2026: Vinicius names favourite to win trophy

Barcelona has secured Anthony Gordon’s signing from Newcastle United.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the England international will undergo his medical tests and also contract signing on Thursday.

This comes after the Newcastle board accepted Barcelona’s official bid for the 25-year-old 

Meanwhile, in another development, 

Arsenal is demanding up to £20m for striker Gabriel Jesus this summer.

According to The Athletic, inquiries from multiple clubs for the Brazilian have begun.

The former Manchester City star can go as a free agent when his contract expires in June 2027. 

This means Jesus will be leaving the Gunners as a Premier League champion.

Transfer: Barcelona secure Gordon’s as Arsenal set Jesus’ price tag

Jamaica will face Nigeria in the final of the 2026 Unity Cup following their 2-0 victory over India at the Valley on Wednesday night.

Courtney Clarke gave Jamaica the lead after the eight minute.

The Reggae Boys got their second of the game  through Kaheim Dixon 10 minutes from time.

Jamaica and Nigeria will meet in the final for the second consecutive edition after contesting last year’s title decider.

The Super Eagles won 5-4 on penalties after both teams settled for a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

The final will hold at the Valley, London on Saturday.

Unity Cup: Jamaica beat India to set up final clash with Super Eagles

The Nationwide League One, NLO, has sanctioned Campos FC chairman, Patrick Osuji, after he allegedly intimidated match officials and assaulted the Imo State Football Association secretary before a league match against OISA FC.

According to the NLO, Osuji ordered his players not to take part in the scheduled game because he wanted the match officials changed without reason. The encounter was later called off.

The league said the conduct violated the principles of sportsmanship and fair play expected at the grassroots level.

As punishment, the NLO awarded the match to OISA FC with three points and three goals in accordance with the rule book. Campos FC was also fined N500,000, to be paid before their next league game.

Campos FC officials, Osuji and Nnadozie, have also been suspended indefinitely from all NLO activities pending a final decision by the disciplinary committee.

The NLO said the sanctions take effect immediately from the date of communication.

NLO sanctions Campos FC Chairman over intimidation of match officials

Wikki Tourists chairman Alhaji Salmanu Abubakar, has assured supporters that the club will bounce back stronger following their relegation at the end of the 2025-26 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.

The Bauchi Elephants finished at the bottom of the NPFL table with 40 points from 38 matches.

Abubakar described the campaign as one of the toughest in the club’s history.

“Wikki Tourists is bigger than one season. The elephant may stumble, but it never forgets how to rise,” Abubakar stated at the end of the NPFL season.

Wikki Tourists alongside Remo Stars, Bayelsa United and El-Kanemi Warriors were relegated to the Nigeria National League, NNL.

Rangers were crowned the champions at the end of the NPFL season.

NPFL: Wikki Tourists chairman vows swift comeback after relegation