August 2025 | Page 12 of 31

Salah Wins Record Third PFA Player of The Year Award

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Mohamed Salah has become the first three-time winner of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year award with the Liverpool forward eclipsing two-time winners Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Gareth Bale by claiming the 2025 award. Salah, who was previously voted the Player of the Year in 2018 and 2022, emerged as the winner from a six-player shortlist including Liverpool teammate Alexis Mac Allister, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. Salah received the PFA trophy at a gala presentation in Manchester on Tuesday, with the Egypt international winning the award, as voted by his fellow players, after scoring 29 goals in Liverpool’s Premier League title winning campaign last season. The 33-year-old’s goal in Liverpool’s 4-2 win against Bournemouth in the opening game of the 2025-26 league season last Friday took him to 187 Premier League goals, moving him into joint fourth position in the all-time standings alongside former Newcastle and Manchester United forward Andy Cole. Salah had previously been one of seven players to have won the PFA Player of the Year award on two occasions. Alongside Salah, Henry (2003 & 2004), Ronaldo (2007 & 2008) and Bale (2011 & 2013) were joined by Kevin De Bruyne ( 2020 & 2021), Alan Shearer (1995 & 1997) and former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes (1989 & 1991) on the list of double winners. Liverpool also dominated the PFA Premier League Team of the Year with four players — Salah, Mac Allister, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch earning selection. For the first time since 2017, no Manchester City player was selected for the team of the year.

NCAA Bans Flight Mode, Orders Shutdown of Phones

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed that all passengers must now completely switch off their mobile phones and electronic devices during aircraft take-off and landing. The directive was issued by the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, at the National Civil Aviation Security Committee Meeting on Tuesday in Abuja. Najomo explained that the new regulation replaces the long-standing practice of using “flight mode,” stressing that only a full shutdown of devices will now be permitted. He said, “All mobile phones, I repeat, all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during at least the critical phase of flight on all Nigerian airlines. Switched off.” “There’s nothing like anything like flight mode any longer. Must be switched off. Nigerian air operators are therefore required to amend their operations manual to reflect this requirement and submit to the NCA for approval, if different from this resolution. He further disclosed that the decision is part of broader measures to unify aviation safety regulations and curb rising cases of unruly passenger behaviour across the nation’s airports. “The era of business as usual is over,” Najomo declared, noting that tougher enforcement would follow to ensure compliance. Najomo stated that the Authority remains committed to enforcing stricter compliance from both airlines and passengers, while also rolling out public awareness campaigns to educate travelers on their obligations. “We’re going to go on air. We’ll make sure that we take all these preambles of informing passengers, going further of their responsibilities, and going further, things will not be as usual as what it is. If you’re unruly, you’re unruly. “So, you see, we have a new beginning from where we are. It will not be as business as usual. I can assure you that. It will not. And I want to also tell the airline operators here, we are going to start checking that you would do the adequate training.”

8th African Nations Championship: Nigeria Go Out On a High after Win over Congo

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

The Super Eagles B caged Congo’s Red Devils with two goals in the second half in the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, but their firepower came too late as both teams were eliminated from the 8th African Nations Championship at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Congo had hopes of inching their way into the knockout rounds before kick-off, with two points from their first two matches, including a fit-fighting draw with champions Senegal. On their part, the Eagles already had their bags packed for the journey home after an underwhelming first two games of the group phase in which they lost by a lone goal to Senegal and were battered for four by Sudan. Both teams did not present a spectacle in the first period, with no clear-cut opportunities created, though the Red Devils could have gone ahead in the 25th minute when Nigeria captain Nduka Junior bungled a simple pass and was lucky the opposing striker could not keep his header down in front of junior international goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt. Nigeria returned from recess with obvious renewed vigour, and it was no surprise when Anas Yusuf connected home beautifully, a headed pass by Sikiru Alimi in the 56th minute, following a cross by defender Abdulrafiu Taiwo. The 2018 silver medallists, who had not scored a goal in the competition since winning their semi-final clash with Sudan in Marrakech seven years ago, pushed forward more and more, and got a second goal three minutes into added time through Sikiru Alimi. Cup-holders Senegal and Sudan make it to the quarter-finals from Group D, while the Eagles are expected back home on Thursday.

Nigerian-Born Benin Striker, Omotoyossi Dies 39

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Nigerian-born Benin Republic striker Razak Omotoyossi has tragically died aged 39. The passing of the Beninese football icon and former Blackpool trialist was announced on Tuesday. Omotoyossi, who was born in Nigeria but represented neighbouring Benin, played for 15 clubs during his career before calling it a day as a professional footballer in 2021. Helsingborg, Al-Nassr, Metz and Zamalek were the most high-profile teams the late striker played for. And a number of his old sides paid tribute to him upon learning of his untimely death. Swedish side Helsingborgs wrote in a statement on X: “Helsingborgs IF is in mourning. “We have been informed that our former player, Razak Omotoyossi, has passed away at the age of 39. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Razak.” Syrianski FC wrote: “Syrianska FC has received with deep sadness the extremely tragic news of the passing of Razak Omotoyossi. “He passed away at the age of 39. Syrianska expresses its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. “Rest in peace, Razak Omotoyossi.” Omotoyossi was prolific for Benin Republic, scoring 21 goals in 55 appearances for The Cheetahs across the span of 12 years. The cause of Omotoyossi’s tragic death has yet to be revealed.

Franco Umeh in Talks with League One

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

League One Exeter City have held exploratory talks over a loan move for Crystal Palace attacker Franco Umeh, the News Shopper understands. The 20-year-old has been included in Palace’s senior squad 13 times but has yet to make his first-team debut. He joined from Irish side Cork City in February 2023 when Palace triggered his €75,000 release clause. Umeh trained with the first team last season, where Palace boss Oliver Glasner briefly considered him as an option at left wing-back before he reverted to his natural attacking role. The Republic of Ireland youth international made 15 appearances for Palace’s Under-21 side last term, contributing five goals and an assist. Comfortable on either flank, the wide player is currently recovering from a hamstring issue sustained in pre-season. Palace are keen to secure an EFL loan for Umeh in the final 13 days of the transfer window. Exeter, who sit 15th in the third tier, are interested in adding the attacker to their forward ranks and have held preliminary discussions over a move. Umeh would become the second Palace player to join the Grecians this summer, following goalkeeper Joe Whitworth’s return to Devon for a second successive season.

Ademola Lookman Returns to Atalanta after Inter Withdrawal

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Ademola Lookman is now back in Bergamo and is preparing to train at Zingonia for the first time after learning that Inter have decided to withdraw from the race to sign him this summer. Reports on Monday evening confirmed that Inter have told Atalanta that they no longer wish to pursue a deal for Lookman, despite weeks and weeks of negotiations for the African Player of the Year. The Nerazzurri had seen an offer of €45m including bonuses for Lookman turned down this summer, and now it appears that they will not come back in with an improved bid. The initial rejection of Inter’s bid for Lookman caused the Nigeria international to hand in a formal transfer request and desert Atalanta training, instead returning to the UK to train individually. He also released a statement accusing his employers of breaking promises and treating him poorly as a ‘human being and professional footballer’. Dea CEO Luca Percassi later confirmed that there was an agreement in place that allowed Lookman to leave the club under the right conditions this summer, but only for ‘big’ teams that are located outside Serie A, which complicated a deal between Inter and Atalanta. Despite Lookman’s desire to force through a move to Inter this summer, he has now been forced to swallow a bitter pill and return to Atalanta with less than a week to go before the start of the 2025-26 Serie A season. Atalanta will get their league campaign underway with a visit from newly-promoted Pisa on Sunday evening, kicking off at 7.45pm.

Tosin Adarabioyo Set to Return to Training This Week

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Tosin Adarabioyo is expected to return to Chelsea training this week as he looks to make the matchday squad for the trip to West Ham on Friday. The Blues drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace on opening weekend, but were without Tosin after he picked up a knock in training. Enzo Maresca’s side are already without Levi Colwill after he suffered an ACL injury in pre-season, and were not keen to take any risks with Tosin. However, The Standard reports that the issue is ‘very minor’ and that Tosin will likely return to training this week. The 27-year-old remains a doubt for Friday’s fixture, though, and Maresca may well choose to stick with the pairing of Trevor Chalobah and Josh Acheampong who kept a clean sheet against Palace. Speaking about Tosin’s injury after the draw with Palace, Maresca said: ‘He had a physical problem. We don’t know for how long [he will be out].’ Tosin was expected to play an increased role this season, after Maresca hinted that the 27-year-old was the only centre-back capable of emulating Colwill’s play style. ‘When we build, we build with Levi in the middle,’ Maresca said. ‘Last year, we played 64 games and we played 64 games with Levi and Tosin [Adarabioyo]. Now Levi is out, the only one who can do that job well is Tosin. ‘We have [Jorrel] Hato but he never played as the guy in the middle last season. It is not about central defenders. Yes he is a central defender, but what does he have to do? Can he do that? It is different.’ Elsewhere, Wesley Fofana could also be in line for his first minutes since March on Friday after the Frenchman was an unused substitute last time out. ‘Wes was on the bench but was just on the bench to be with us and the plan was for him not to get any minutes,’ Maresca added. ‘Now hopefully for the next one, we can use Wes for some minutes.’

EFCC Arraigns Man for Alleged N131.8m, $200,000 Fraud in Abuja

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, August 18, 2025, arraigned one Umar Abdullahi before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for fraud. Abdullahi, an Information and Communication Technology, ICT, consultant is being prosecuted on four-court charges, bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, advance fee fraud and money laundering to the tune of N131.8 million and $200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). One of the charges reads: “That you, Umar Abdullahi, sometime between July 2024 and August 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did accept and transact cash payment of $200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars) for allotment of shares in Multi Access Controls Limited, in excess of the Ten Million Naira threshold, without transacting through a financial institution, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 2 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19 (2) (b) of the same Act.” Another reads: “That you, Umar Abdullahi, sometime in June 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N104,980,000.00 (One Hundred and Four Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira) into Account Number: 2266267081, domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc, from Aura Integrated Energy Resources Limited under the false pretence that the money was for procurement of telecommunication equipment and logistics for Nigerian Communications Commission staff, a pretence you knew to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.” He pleaded “not guilty” to all charges, following which prosecution counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, urged the court to remand him in a correctional facility pending trial, noting that he had earlier jumped an administrative bail granted him by the EFCC, while the defence counsel, A.O. Agbonlahor, pleaded with the court for the defendant to be remanded in EFCC’s custody. Justice Nwite after listening to both counsel, ordered that Abdullahi be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja and adjourned the case till September 8, 2025 for commencement of trial. Abdullahi’s prosecution followed a petition by Alhaji Shehu Badamosi to the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, in which he alleged that the defendant approached him, claiming to have secured a contract with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and needed financing to the tune of N131.8m and $200,000 for its execution. The petitioner further claimed that the defendant after receiving the money from him became incommunicado, while all his efforts to recover his money from him, proved abortive.