June 2025 | Page 6 of 37

Cristiano Ronaldo Signs New Contract With Al Nassr

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new contract to remain at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. Ronaldo, 40, was out of contract with the Saudi Pro League side who he joined in 2023 from Manchester United and it appeared he would be moving on. But both he and the club announced on Thursday that he has signed a new contract which runs until 2027. “Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at Al Nassr until 2027″ the club confirmed. The Portuguese superstar has scored 74 goals in 77 games in the Saudi Pro League, while he’s scored 99 goals in 111 games in all competitions for Al Nassr. So he’s doing pretty well. Reports stated that Ronaldo had wanted assurances that Al Nassr intend will look to improve their squad to improve on their third place finish in the Saudi Pro League last season. It appears he’s happy enough with their plans for the upcoming season. Reports state that Ronaldo will earn up to $468 million per year. So this contract is worth $936 million.

Rivers: Tinubu Reconciles Wike, Fubara, Others

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

After rounds of meeting at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu between Wednesday June 25 and Thursday June 26 , the lingering political crises in Rivers State seem to have been resolved. At the end of behind the scene meetings in Abuja, the main dramatis personae in the roiling political logjam Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and his estranged ally, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who was suspended as Governor following the imposition of State of Emergency, and other key players including some elders of the State privy to the behind the scene negotiations, met with Tinubu late Thursday ostensibly to report the resolution of the issues. With all parties to the crises including the suspended Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule now on the same page, all is now set for the restoration of democratic structures and return of all suspended political actors.

Arsenal Holds Eberechi Eze Transfer Talks

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Arsenal could scupper Tottenham’s plans with a surprise move for Eberechi Eze after ‘holding talks’ with the England star’s representatives amid their search for quality attacking signings. The Gunners are in the market for a quality No.9 and a left-sided forward to bolster their title hopes next season. And it seems as though their search for the latter could lead them into a surprise battle with their arch-rivals for Eze, who is the latest Crystal Palace star to be linked with a blockbuster summer move. Mirror Football revealed last week that Eze was on Spurs’ shortlist with a deal for Bryan Mbeumo now looking unlikely. And amid claims that the 26-year-old is also on Arsenal’s radar as they finalise their own shortlist of attacking targets, The Sun are reporting that talks between Andrea Berta and Eze’s representatives have already taking place. It’s outlined that Arsenal hold a strong interest in Eze, who has a £68million buy-out clause in his Eagles contract. Given he would be available for that price, Eze represents a cheaper alternative to Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward, Rodrygo, who the Gunners have also been courting this summer.

Akinyosoye Stuns Top Seed as Brou Misses Podium Finish at 23rd African Fencing Championships

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Nigeria’s Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye delivered one of the standout performances of the 23rd African Fencing Championships, pulling off a major upset in the individual men’s sabre event by defeating top seed and Olympic silver medallist Fares Farjani of Tunisia in the preliminary round. The 20-year-old, who recently switched allegiance to Nigeria after representing England at cadet and junior levels, edged Farjani 5-4 in a tense bout that sent shockwaves through the competition and sparked jubilant celebrations among Nigerian supporters. His victory over the Paris 2024 silver medallist not only marked a personal milestone but also secured his place in the knockout stages. Akinyosoye carried his momentum into the round of 16, where he dispatched Algeria’s Lotfi Ibrihen with a commanding 15-9 win. However, his impressive run came to an end in the quarterfinals, where he fell 15-8 to sixth seed Ahmed Ferjani of Tunisia. Despite the loss, Akinyosoye’s spirited display earned widespread applause and signaled a promising future for the young fencer on the continental stage. Meanwhile, fellow Nigerian Inkosi Brou, a bronze medalist at the African Junior Championships and grandson of the late NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Dora Akunyili, narrowly missed out on a podium finish. Brou showcased his skill and composure through the early rounds but was edged out 15-11 by Niger Republic’s fifth seed Evann Girault in the round of 16. In a surprising twist, defending champion Fares Ferjani also exited the competition early, losing 15-13 to Egypt’s Adham Moataz in the round of 16, further opening up the field in the men’s sabre event. In the individual women’s epee event, Nigeria’s Sarah Idongesit and Adebodunrin, two of the youngest competitors in the field, advanced from the group stage into the knockout rounds. Both fencers were eventually eliminated in the round of 32 by more experienced opponents from Morocco and Algeria, but their progression highlighted the growing depth of Nigeria’s fencing talent. The championships continue on Friday, June 27, with action in the individual men’s foil and women’s sabre events. With several young Nigerian athletes already making headlines, expectations remain high for more breakout performances as the tournament progresses.

President Federation Cup: AFCON Winner Ifeanyi Onyedika Set to Extend Fabulous Record

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

For those still trying to discover the muse of Abakaliki FC, the little-known Club from Ebonyi State that has reached the men’s final of this year’s President Federation Cup, they need not look farther than Head Coach Ifeanyi Onyedika. Onyedika is an ex-Nigeria international striker of repute, and was a notable member of the squad that won Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980. However, his gravitas does not end at international level. In 1981, Enugu Rangers were head-on against Bendel Insurance in what was a repeat of the 1978 final, in which Insurance, loaded with stars like Kadiri Ikhana, Henry Ogboe and Francis Moniedafe, incinerated the Flying Antelopes 3-0 at the National Stadium, Surulere. The setting in 1981 was also the same venue. Rangers exacted their revenge, but not without Onyedika’s handwriting. After Emmanuel Osigwe (another ex-international forward) scored for Rangers, Onyedika made it two against Insurance, and that surely foreclosed any thoughts of Insurance’s revival. Two years later, Onyedika was also part of the Rangers’ squad that won the Nigeria National Cup, defeating DIC Bees of Kaduna 5-4 after a penalty shootout following 0-0 in regulation time, also at the National Stadium, Surulere. Onyedika was not done. Twenty-three years after his second triumph as a player, with Enugu Rangers, Onyedika led Dolphin FC of Port Harcourt to victory as coach, when they defeated Bendel Insurance 5-3 after a penalty shootout following 2-2 draw in regulation time, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. He repeated the feat the following year, leading Dolphin FC to defeat his former club, Enugu Rangers 3-2 after a penalty shootout following 1-1 draw in regulation time, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. His Abakaliki FC has toppled many illustrious names in this year’s competition, among them Katsina United, Enyimba FC, Nasarawa United and Ikorodu City. Will Onyedika’s Cup magic hand the trophy to Abakaliki FC on Saturday? Fans are eager to find out.

Mission X: Mary Akinsola joins Super Falcons as Media Officer

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed Mary Akinsola, a media and public relations expert, as the media officer of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons. Miss Akinsola brings over 10 years of experience in communications and sports management to the role, having previously worked with Warner Bros Discovery (Eurosport) as a production/commentary coordinator, with sportsgazette.uk as a sports writer, editor and digital media manager, and with ACLSports.com as a podcast host and writer. She also worked with Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State as a sportscaster, writer and producer. Akinsola, who holds a master’s degree in international sports journalism from St. Mary’s University, London has managed production communications for Eurosport during a number of major sporting events, including the Olympic Games, tennis grand slams, the English Premier League and major European club competitions. She joins an ambitious squad that is targeting a record-extending 10th continental title, when the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals commences in Morocco on 5th July. She believes her passion for the game and ceaseless quest for excellence matches those of the Super Falcons, and is committed to promoting the Nigeria senior women team’s story and connecting with stakeholders and supporters globally.

Enugu Rep Chimaobi Sam Atu Defects from Labour Party to APC

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, the member representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has officially defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection was confirmed in a letter addressed to the House and read during Thursday’s plenary session by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. “Honourable colleagues, it’s my pleasure and privilege to inform you that our dear brother and colleague, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, member representing Enugu North and South, today has sent a letter… in respect of the defection from Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress,” the Speaker announced. Atu’s defection is the latest in a string of defections to the ruling party this week. Earlier, two other lawmakers — Peter Akpanke of Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra Federal Constituency (Cross River) and Paul Nnamchi of Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency — also left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party, respectively, to join the APC.

Dispute Between Umuahia North Mayor and NUJ Chairman Resolved

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

The lingering dispute between the Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Chief Hon. Smart Iheoma, and the Chairman of the Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chidi Asonye, has been amicably resolved. According to ABN TV, the resolution was reached following a peace meeting convened to foster mutual respect and collaboration between the local government and the media, in the interest of Abia State’s development. The reconciliation comes after a period of tension triggered by conflicting reports surrounding a sanitation day event in Umuahia. During the meeting, both parties acknowledged the importance of unity and cooperation in advancing good governance and supporting the state’s development agenda. Both leaders expressed their commitment to working together moving forward, with an understanding that open communication and mutual respect are critical for fostering progress in the state.