Sports Archives | Page 19 of 111

Tennis: Jannik Sinner Wins Wimbledon Title

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

Jannik Sinner has ended Carlos Alcaraz’s 20-match winning streak at Wimbledon to become the first Italian player to claim a singles title at the Grand Slam. He has become the first Italian to win the men’s singles title after coming from a set down against the Spaniard. The world No.1 withstood a barrage of winners from the two-time champion to prevail 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, and end his run of five consecutive losses to the Spaniard. Sinner now has four Grand Slam titles to his name, with the only major trophy missing from his collection being Roland Garros—the tournament where he suffered a heartbreaking loss to Alcaraz earlier this season. The triumph ended Alcaraz’s career-best run of 24 straight wins on the Tour. He was bidding to follow in the footsteps of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic by winning Wimbledon three times in a row.

WTT Increases 2025 Contender Lagos Prize Money

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

The management of the WTT Series has announced a significant increase in the prize pool for the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos tournament, raising the total purse from $75,000 (₦115 million) to $100,000 (₦153 million). This 33% boost is aimed at enhancing player rewards and promoting global competitiveness. In addition to the increased financial incentives, players will also gain enhanced world ranking points for their performances. The tournament is scheduled to take place from July 22 to 26 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, located within the Teslim Balogun Stadium. This development aligns with WTT’s broader commitment to improving player welfare and ensuring that athletes are adequately compensated for their efforts. Winners of the singles events will receive $5,000 (₦7.6 million) and 400 ranking points. From the main draw onwards, all players in the singles category will be entitled to both financial rewards and ranking points. In the doubles and mixed doubles categories, winners will each receive $2,500 (₦3.8 million) and 400 ranking points. Participants who reach the round of 16 in these events will also earn prize money and ranking points. Tournament Director Kweku Tandoh emphasized the importance of prioritizing players: “We are fully aware of the sacrifices players make to participate in WTT events. This over-30% increase in prize money is a deliberate effort by WTT management to reward their dedication. At WTT, player welfare remains a top priority, and Lagos is committed to upholding that standard.” He added, “WTT Contender Lagos has become one of the most dynamic and widely publicized events in the WTT Series. Thanks to strong support from Lagos State and an enthusiastic fan base, it has earned a reputation as Nigeria’s best-organized and most well-attended international sporting event. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) is working tirelessly to raise the bar even higher and ensure this year’s edition rivals the best WTT tournaments globally.” The 2025 edition promises to deliver world-class table tennis action, with top-ranked players from around the globe competing in what has become a flagship event on the African sporting calendar.

Brou, Okanlawon Set to Represent Nigeria at 2025 World Fencing Championships in Georgia

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Nigeria’s rising fencing stars, Inkosi Brou and Wisdom Okanlawon, are set to compete at the prestigious 2025 World Fencing Championships, scheduled to take place in Tbilisi, Georgia, from July 22 to 30. In addition to competing against the world’s best, both athletes have been selected to participate in the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Training Camp, which will precede the championships. The camp, running from July 16 to 21 at the Tbilisi Olympic Palace, will feature elite coaching and international collaboration, offering a unique opportunity for skill development and global exposure. Brou and Okanlawon made their international debut earlier this year at the World Junior Championships in China. Now, they are set to make their senior world championship debut in Georgia. Inkosi Brou, who reached the knockout stage at the recently concluded 23rd African Fencing Championships in Lagos, will undergo a training tour in France before heading to Georgia. Ranked 75th in the world, the teenage sabreur will compete in the Men’s Individual Sabre event. Wisdom Okanlawon, widely regarded as Nigeria’s top homegrown fencer, will also make his first appearance at the global level. He is expected to depart Nigeria this week to join the training camp and will compete in the Men’s Individual Épée event. His participation is aimed at improving his international ranking and gaining valuable experience from top-tier fencers. The World Fencing Championships will feature individual and team events across all three weapons—foil, épée, and sabre—for both men and women. According to the FIE, the training camp will be led by world-renowned coaches including Zoran Tulum (sabre), Kuki Patru (foil), and Bela Kopetka (épée). Over 50 fencers from around the world are expected to attend, making it a dynamic environment for learning, competition preparation, and international camaraderie. In a statement, the FIE noted, “The camp will offer fencers the chance to train with peers from around the world, participate in group sessions, and elevate their game through video analysis, tactical workshops, and fun team-building activities.” This marks a significant milestone for Nigerian fencing, as the country continues to gain recognition on the global stage through the efforts of its young athletes and the support of international partnerships.

PSG Chelsea Set for FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final Showdown in New Jersey

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will face Chelsea FC in the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, bringing the curtain down on a highly competitive global tournament. For PSG, the match presents an opportunity to cap off a historic season in which they clinched their first UEFA Champions League title and a domestic double. The French side are now eyeing their first Club World Cup trophy to complete the treble. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be looking to seal a remarkable campaign under new head coach Enzo Maresca, having already secured a top-four finish in the Premier League and lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League. Road to the Final PSG cruised through the tournament with dominant wins: Chelsea also enjoyed a strong run: Team News PSG will be without Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez, both suspended.Ousmane Dembele, who returned from injury to score in the semifinal, is expected to start. Predicted PSG lineup:Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia. Chelsea will welcome back Levi Colwill and Liam Delap from suspension.Reece James is pushing for a return to the starting XI, while Moises Caicedo is doubtful due to an ankle injury sustained in the semifinal. Predicted Chelsea lineup:Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez, Nkunku; Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro. Manager Reactions Luis Enrique (PSG coach): “We are in a special season, a special moment, and we have one more step against a very good team like Chelsea. We want to make history for our club.” Enzo Maresca (Chelsea coach): “It’s been a fantastic season — top four in the Premier League, Conference League champions, and now the Club World Cup final. We’re very happy and fully focused on winning this last game.” Head-to-Head This will be the ninth meeting between PSG and Chelsea: Their last encounter was in 2016, when PSG won 2–1 at Stamford Bridge, securing a 4–2 aggregate win in the Champions League Round of 16. Kickoff Time The final will kick off at 8:00 PM local time (1:00 AM West Africa Time). The winner will not only walk away with the prestigious title but also significant prize money and global bragging rights in what FIFA has called the biggest Club World Cup in history.

Wimbledon: Sinner Stops Djokovic, to Battle Alcaraz in Final

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

World no. 1 Jannik Sinner will play in his fourth consecutive Major final, and the first at Wimbledon. Jannik faced the seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-final on Centre Court and scored a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory in an hour and 54 minutes. Thus, the Italian sets up title clash against his greatest rival, Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner bested Djokovic for the fifth time in a row, becoming the second player to achieve that after Rafael Nadal. Novak played well en route to the semi-final at 38. However, he experienced a nasty fall in the closing stages of his quarter-final duel against Flavio Cobolli. The Serb could not move well against world no. 1, avoiding slides and failing to impose his strokes. Djokovic forged an early advantage in the third set. However, Sinner erased the deficit and brought the victory home following a rock-solid performance. The Italian lost 17 points on serve, six in the opening two sets. He lost serve once and grabbed 42% of the return points. Jannik turned them into ten break chances and seized five to control the scoreboard and seal the deal in straight sets. World no. 1 played flawless tennis in the opener, serving well and delivering two breaks for 6-3. The younger player grabbed another break early in the second set and kept the advantage for a massive 6-3, 6-3 lead in under 70 minutes. Novak led 3-0 in the third set and ha d a break point in the fourth game. However, the 24-time Major winner wasted it and lost ground. Jannik climbed back with a break in game five and moved in front with another at 3-3. Djokovic saved two match points on serve in game nine before Sinner seized the third on his serve in the next one for a place in his first Wimbledon final.

AC Milan in Talks to Sign Victor Boniface

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Milan are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface. The Nigerian came close to leaving his Bundesliga club in January after reaching an agreement to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassri, but they instead opted to sign Jhon Duran. Bayer Leverkusen would have collected around €60m to sell Boniface to Al-Nassr in January and although no figures have been mentioned regarding Milan’s finances, the 24-year-old holds a Transfermarkt value of €40m. But as reported last month, Bayer Leverkusen appear open to selling Boniface this summer and hope to receive around €50m. Speaking to Bild, Emefie Aneke Atta, agent of Boniface, said: “Victor has ended the season after his trip to the national team. He’s on vacation now, will train hard during his vacation, and then return for preseason. There’s a new coach, a new setup, but still a very good team that’s back in the Champions League. Victor and I have never discussed a transfer.” As reported by Tavolieri, Boniface has opened the door to a permanent move’ to Milan. It’s also unclear as to how the former Union SG forward features in Erik ten Hag’s plans with the Dutchman’s preferred No. 9 being Patrik Schick, while the club are working on a deal for Christian Kofane.

Flying Eagles Hold Hosts Ghana to Draw in WAFU B Opener

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The Flying Eagles and Ghana’s Black Satellites stifled one another to a 1-1 draw in their opening match of the 2025 WAFU B U20 Boys Tournament at Ghana’s Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Thursday. The Black Satellites took the lead in the 26th minute, with Captain Musbau Azeez finding the back of the net. Thereafter, the Flying Eagles faced significant pressure from their opponents, resulting in a yellow card issued to their captain, Daniel Bameyi, for a hard tackle in the 33rd minute. Despite increasing pressure from the Flying Eagles in the latter stages of the first period, the Black Satellites took their one-nil advantage into the dressing room at recess. Nigeria’s appeal for a penalty in the 66th minute was dismissed by the referee. Subsequently, a free kick taken by defender Odinaka Okoro in the 76th minute narrowly missed the target, as the Flying Eagles went all out for the leveller. As the match approached its conclusion, the Flying Eagles intensified their efforts, culminating in a corner kick awarded in the 84th minute. Mohammed Abdulahi scored with an impressive header to ensure a stalemate in the scoreline.

Mission X: Super Falcons Qualify for 2024 WAFCON Quarter Finals

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Nigeria’s campaign for a 10th continental title at the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations plodded frontally on Thursday after the Super Falcons bagged all three points against their counterparts from Botswana to reach the competition’s quarter finals. Mexico-based Chinwendu Ihezuo, scorer of the third goal in the 3-0 rout of Tunisia on Sunday, stretched her left leg adroitly to connect from a great pass by Esther Okoronkwo and give Nigeria the day from a largely-scrappy encounter in Casablanca. Refilwe Tholakele indicated early on that it was not going to be an all-Nigeria evening, as her fierce shot from a bold move from the Southern Africans rattled goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who had to make a second save as the ball spilled. Botswana threw women in numbers behind the ball as they opted for damage limitation, and nearly came out in flying colours as captain Rasheed Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Toni Payne and Rinsola Babajide could find no thoroughfare to the goal-line. Midway into the first stanza, attack-minded defender Ashley Plumptre surged forward again but missed a good chance from Ajibade’s pass. Eleven minutes later, Payne skyrocketed when clear on goal from another cross from the right. The scrappy nature was the same in the second half, with the opposition stifling play with numbers in midfield and defence. Substitute Ihezuo headed over the bar in the 48th minute and the energetic Plumptre saw her tricky shot heaved over the sticks by goalkeeper Maitumelo Bosija in the 64th minute. Substitute Jennifer Echegini came close with a snapshot in the 71st minute, and then called upon the agility of South Africa-based Bosija with an angled shot in the 82nd minute. The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper was finally beaten with a minute left in regulation time, when Okoronkwo foxed the Botswana rearguard before a well-placed pass that Ihezuo converted for all three points. The Super Falcons will take on Algeria in their last match of group B on Sunday evening, at the same Larbi Zaouli Stadium.