Aryna Sabalenka has retained the Australian Open title after beating Zheng Qinwen in Melbourne on Saturday. Belarusian second seed Sabalenka won 6-3 6-2 to claim her second Grand Slam singles trophy without dropping a set. Sabalenka becomes the first player since countrywoman Victoria Azarenka 11 years ago to claim back-to-back Australian Open titles. Sabalenka, 25, who became the strong favourite after top seed Iga Swiatek was beaten in the third round, emulated her compatriot Azarenka by completing victory in little over an hour. “It’s been an amazing couple of weeks and I couldn’t imagine lifting the trophy another time,” said Sabalenka. “It’s been…
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After picking up seven of a possible nine points during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stages, the Super Eagles of Nigeria progressed to the round of 16 with not too convincing results. This is now Nigeria’s 15th straight qualification to the knockout phase in AFCON tournaments they’ve featured at, and they’ll hope to go much further than just the last-16. The Super Eagles have picked up a medal in 12 of those 14 previous round of 16 qualifications, half of those medals were the third place bronze. However, Nigeria have won the title on three occasions. The Super…
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will lock horns with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon today in one of the Round of 16 games of the ongoing AFCON. Predict the score line of the game and stand a chance of winning one of our monetary prizes. Drop your prediction in the comment section of the post. The first two correct predictions will win get the prizes, and predictions will end by 9:00pm Nigerian time. Stroll down, and click on ADD A COMMENT to make your prediction.
Italian champions Napoli have confirmed that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will leave the club in the summer. After leading Napoli to their first title in over 30 years, Osimhen has been a key target for a number of big European clubs. Despite signing a new deal last month, the striker’s contract is said to include a release clause of £112million. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed that the club ‘know’ the star will depart this summer: ‘This was already known since this summer, our negotiations were friendly, otherwise it would not have been so long. De Laurentiis went on to…
The French Football Federation has refused the Ivorian federation’s request to release France Women coach Hervé Renard “On loan” for the knockout stages of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations competition in Ivory Coast. The host country Ivory Coast sacked coach Jean-Louis Gasset after their shock 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea in the second group stage game of their campaign and had hoped to bring back AFCON specialist Renard for the knockout stages, for which they qualified as one of the four best third-placed teams thanks to Morocco’s 1-0 victory over Zambia on Wednesday. Renard has a reputation for being…
Jurgen Klopp will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season. The German announced his decision to step down, having informed the club’s ownership of his wish to leave. Klopp was appointed Reds boss in October 2015 and his contract was due to run until 2026. The former Borussia Dortmund led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years in 2019-20, having won the UEFA Champions League the previous season. “I told the club already in November,” the German told the Liverpool website. “I have to explain a little bit that maybe the job I do…
Kalvin Phillips has joined West Ham on loan from Premier League champions Manchester City for the rest of the season with no option to buy. The 28-year-old has only made 31 appearances for City since a £45m transfer from Leeds in July 2022; manager Pep Guardiola admitted in December he cannot envisage the England midfielder in his team. West Ham will pay a loan fee and cover Phillips’ salary for the duration of his time at the London Stadium. “There’s so much to look forward to in the second half of the season. I can’t wait to be part of it,” Phillips said after putting pen to paper. “There’s…
A judge in Spain’s National Court has made recommendation on Thursday that former Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales, face charges of sexual assault for his alleged non-consensual kiss of Spain forward Jennifer Hermoso during the FIFA Women’s World Cup medal ceremony in Sydney, Australia, last year. Rubiales is charged with the offence, which carries a possible punishment of more than four years in prison, in relation to the non-consensual kiss. The judge also suggested that Mr Rubiales and three representatives of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the nation’s football governing body, be put on trial for charges of coercion…
Aryna Sabalenka snags progressed into the Australian Open final after an impressive win over Coco Gauff in straight sets in a battle between two of the best players on the women’s category. Defending champion Sabalenka beat Gauff 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 to reach the final, and she’s looking to be the first player to defend the women’s singles title in over a decade since Victoria Azarenka in 2012 and 2013. It was a sweet revenge for Sabalenka after Gauff was victorious in last year’s US Open final. Sabalenka, who was playing in her sixth consecutive major semi-final, is yet to drop a set in Melbourne…
The German Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Union Berlin descended into chaos on Wednesday after Union Berlin managerr Nenad Bjelica pushed Bayern player Leroy Sane in the face, sparking a brawl between the two benches at pitchside. Sane and Bjelica squared off near the side of the Allianz Arena pitch with more than 15 minutes remaining and Bayern were leading. Sane attempted to grab the ball for a throw-in, but Bjelica tugged it away from him. The moment saw former Manchester City winger Sane swipe his hand at the ball leading to the pair to square up to one another.…