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Category: Sports

Birmingham City Signs Osayi-Samuel from Fenerbahce

Fola Badmus02 mins

Birmingham City have signed Nigeria international full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel on a three-year deal following the conclusion of his contract at Fenerbahce. The 27-year-old moves to St Andrew’s after making 178 appearances in four and a half years for the side now coached by Jose Mourinho following his move from Queens Park Rangers in January 2021. Osayi-Samuel, who can play as a right-back, wing-back and as a winger, becomes Blues’ fourth signing this week following the arrivals of Demarai Gray, Tommy Doyle and James Beadle as they prepare for life back in the second tier after securing the League One title last season. He has made 22 appearances for Nigeria since his debut in 2022, and was part of the squad which finished runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Having made his professional debut for Blackpool at the age of 17, Osayi-Samuel was part of the squad which won promotion from League Two via the play-offs in 2017. Osayi-Samuel went on to make 103 Championship appearances for QPR after moving to Loftus Road in the summer of 2017, adding to the six appearances he made in the second tier for Blackpool during the 2014-15 season. “I want to play in the Premier League and show everyone what I can do,” Osayi-Samuel told Birmingham’s website., external “Coming to Birmingham City now is another step for me, an opportunity to show everyone where I’ve been for the last four years.”

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Mission X: Super Falcons Are Favourites as 13th Women AFCON Begins in Morocco

Fola Badmus06 mins

Nine-time champions Nigeria loom larger than any other participant as the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals begin in the Kingdom of Morocco on Saturday. Winners of the inaugural edition that their country hosted in 1998, the Super Falcons also took home the diadem in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018, and look forward to the thirteenth edition with confidence but without being sardonic. Home-boy Coach Justine Madugu has taken the option of the good-old-wine-and-fresh-fruits-from-the-vineyard selection approach, and is satisfied that he has a team that can hold its own right from the first match against Tunisia on Sunday. “We are very focused on our realisable and achievable target of Mission X. The girls are ready and are showing real hunger for victory and team spirit is high. We are looking forward to our first match on Sunday against Tunisia,” Madugu told thenff.com after the Falcons strolled past West African rivals Ghana in their last pre-tournament friendly on Sunday. Victory over Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in Abeokuta and a scoreless draw with Portugal in earlier friendlies have buoyed the spirit and gait of the Super Falcons. Nigeria’s squad drips with talent, experience and purpose, with Africa’s best for the second year running, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie the rock that most teams will find too difficult to crack. Defender Osinachi Ohale has decades of experience and provides the spine for a rearguard that includes hardworking and efficient young ones like Ashleigh Plumptre, Tosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, Sikiratu Isah, Miracle Usani and Shukurat Oladipo. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade has traversed the gamut of the Nigeria women teams, and her sterling contributions make it appear like she has always been there. “For us, effort is everything. We’ll demonstrate what we’re capable of and continue to build on our existing strengths. We have an incredible group of talented players. We’re all excited to be here. We know it won’t be easy but we’re committed to showing up as our best selves,” Ajibade said during a webinar organized by CAF last week. That pool of ‘talented players’ also include fellow midfielders Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini, as well as the bustling Toni Payne and hard-as-nails Halimatu Ayinde and Christy Ucheibe. Questions by some pundits over the inclusion of Francisca Ordega were quashed by her delightful outing against Portugal in a friendly in Lisbon on 23rd June, as she created excellent opportunities for fellow attackers and rocked the crossbar from 27 yards. Her experience, smarts and energy, and those of Asisat Oshoala, will be worthwhile to spur the likes of Rinsola Babajide, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo, Ifeoma Onumonu and Folashade Ijamilusi to mow down the opposition. The Super Falcons will also be hugely motivated by a $1million winner’s prize – the biggest-ever in the history of the competition. The CAF also announced on Thursday that the runners-up will earn $500,000, with the third-placed and fourth-placed teams going home with $350,000 and $300,000 each. SUPER FALCONS FOR 13TH WAFCON FINALS: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons) Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens) Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (just finished contract with Atletico Madrid, Spain); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenburg, Sweden); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal) Forwards: Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)

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23rd African Fencing Championships Fallout: Akinyosoye Emerges as Nigeria’s Highest-Ranked Fencer

Fola Badmus04 mins

Following a standout performance at the 23rd African Fencing Championships, Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye has emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked fencer globally. The latest rankings released by the International Fencing Federation (FIE) earlier this week place Akinyosoye at 65th in the men’s senior sabre category. Akinyosoye, a quarterfinalist in the individual men’s sabre event, stunned spectators by defeating top seed and Olympic silver medallist Fares Farjani of Tunisia in a tense preliminary round bout, edging him 5-4 at Charterhouse Lagos. The 20-year-old UK-based athlete, who previously represented England at cadet and junior levels, has now overtaken Inkosi Brou as Nigeria’s top-ranked fencer. Despite being displaced in the senior rankings, Brou remains Nigeria’s highest-ranked junior fencer, holding the 23rd position globally. The US-based athlete, and grandson of former NAFDAC DG Prof. Dora Akunyili, continues to be a key figure in Nigeria’s fencing development. In the senior men’s epee category, Mahadi Idongesit leads the Nigerian contingent at 206th, followed by Wisdom Okanlawon (209), Mahathir Idongesit (212), and Adegbola Babade (215). For senior men’s foil, Oritsematosan Egbesemirone is ranked 116th, with Olumuyiwa Ige (502) and Alex Aninyei (504) also making the list. Among the women, 13-year-old Peluola Akinbamiro is Nigeria’s sole representative in the senior women’s foil rankings, placed at 441st. In senior women’s epee, Adebodunrin Thomas leads at 186th, followed by Sara Idongesit (190) and Somtochukwu Eribenne (530). Team rankings also saw a boost. The Nigerian women’s epee team, which finished fifth at the African Championships, is now ranked 36th globally. In the senior men’s team rankings, Nigeria holds 43rd in epee and 28th in foil. President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, described the rankings as a reflection of the country’s growing potential in the sport. “Hosting the African Championships was not just about welcoming international athletes; it was about empowering our fencers to improve their global standing,” Samuel said. “These rankings open doors for our athletes to participate in more international tournaments and enhance their chances of qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.” He added, “We are excited about this development and hope it will attract the support needed from both the private and public sectors, especially following the success of the 23rd African Championships.”

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Omotayo, El-Beiali Lead African Charge in WTT US Smash 2025

Fola Badmus05 mins

African table tennis stars are set to make their mark at the WTT US Smash 2025, with Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo and Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali spearheading the continent’s campaign in the preliminary round of the prestigious tournament. The event, which runs for 11 days (July 3 to 13) at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, is the first WTT Grand Smash to be held on American soil and boasts a prize pool of $1.55 million. Omotayo, the 2019 African Games champion, returns to the international stage with a challenging opener against wildcard Victor Xie of the United States. The Nigerian, currently ranked 162nd in the world, will rely on his experience and ranking advantage over the 777th-rated Chinese-born American when they clash on Friday, July 4. Now based between the United States and France, Omotayo faces a tough path to the main draw, where elite global stars await. His performance will be closely watched as Africa seeks representation among the tournament’s top contenders. Joining him in the preliminary round is Egypt’s El-Beiali, who will face Slovenia’s Deni Kozul. El-Beiali’s compatriot, Mahmoud Helmy, is set to take on American Ved Sheth, while Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa will battle Sweden’s Kristian Karlsson. Benin Republic’s Abdel-Kader Salifou rounds out the African men’s singles lineup with a match against Spain’s Juan Perez. In the women’s singles, Egypt’s Yosura Helmy stands as the sole African representative in the preliminary round, facing American Mandy Yu. Meanwhile, top African players, including Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Egypt’s Omar Assar, have secured spots in the main draw of the men’s singles. Egypt’s trio of Hana Goda, Dina Meshref, and Mariam Alhodaby will also begin their campaigns directly in the women’s singles main draw. Excitement is building among global stars ahead of the tournament. Men’s singles world champion Wang Chuqin of China expressed his enthusiasm: “Las Vegas often hosts world-class sports events. I’m looking forward to showcasing myself in such a unique atmosphere where sports and entertainment meet.” Sweden’s Anton Kallberg echoed the sentiment: “There’s so much buzz about visiting Vegas, so I just want to see and feel all of it.” American star Lily Zhang, a frequent visitor to Las Vegas, shared her anticipation: “The city has everything — it hosts all the big events and has glitz and glamour.” Homegrown talent Kanak Jha added, “There’s no city in the world like it. So many experiences, great vibes, and stimulation.” As the WTT US Smash 2025 kicks off, African players will be looking to make a strong impression and advance to the main draw, where the world’s best will battle for glory in one of table tennis’ most exciting arenas.

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Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Killed in Car Crash in Spain at 28

Fola Badmus02 mins

Liverpool forward and Portuguese international Diogo Jota has tragically died in a car accident in Spain at the age of 28, authorities have confirmed. According to Sky Sports News, the Guardia Civil in Zamora confirmed Jota’s death following a fatal crash that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday on the A-52 motorway in Cernadilla, Zamora province, in Spain’s Castilla y León region. Also killed in the accident was Jota’s younger brother, André Silva, aged 26, who played for Penafiel, a Liga Portugal 2 side. Authorities said the accident occurred at 12:30 a.m. local time (11:30 p.m. BST). The vehicle reportedly burst a tyre while overtaking, veered off the road, and subsequently caught fire. The tragic news comes less than two weeks after Jota’s wedding to his long-time partner. The couple shared three children, making the loss even more devastating for the family and football community. Jota, known for his dynamic play and goal-scoring prowess, was a key player for both Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team. His untimely death has sent shockwaves across the global football landscape, with tributes pouring in from teammates, clubs, fans, and football federations worldwide. The football world mourns the loss of one of its brightest talents, whose career and life were cut tragically short. Further details about funeral arrangements and tributes are expected in the coming days.

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CAF Unveils New Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Trophy

Fola Badmus03 mins

The Confederation African Football (CAF) has unveiled a new trophy for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024, a powerful symbol of the rise and recognition of women’s football across the African continent. Drawing direct inspiration from the iconic Men’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations trophy, the new design represents more than a piece of silverware; it is a celebration of equality, unity, and excellence. The launch of the new trophy forms part of CAF leadership’s goal of developing and growing Women’s Football in Africa and making African Women’s Football amongst the best in the world. The new trophy was celebrated on Wednesday night at an event hosted by CAF and long-term partner, TotalEnergies in Casablanca, Morocco. The trophy’s striking design, features identical petals spiralling upward, each one representing a participating national team. Together, they form the shape of a blooming flower, a timeless symbol of growth, empowerment, and beauty. This imagery captures the journey of African women’s football and the vibrant strength of its athletes. Emerging from the heart of this elegant floral form is a golden sphere, patterned subtly as a football. Adorned with a shiny gold map of Africa, the sphere reflects the continent’s ambition, pride, and global impact in the women’s game. Crafted in brilliant silver and matte gold, the body of the trophy is wrapped in a gold ring engraved with the CAF logo, affirming the confederation’s steadfast commitment to elevating the women’s game across all 54 member associations. The base, a pristine white marble pedestal with elegant gold-accented stripes, bears the name of the competition in refined matte gold lettering, cementing the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations legacy within the rich tapestry of African sport. As the next generation of African stars prepare to shine at the upcoming CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024, this new trophy will serve as a beacon of aspiration, inspiring millions of young girls across the continent to dream, to believe, and to achieve on the global stage.

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University of Pennsylvania Bans Transgender Women from Female Sports in Title IX Deal With Trump Administration

Fola Badmus02 mins

The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has agreed to prohibit transgender women from competing on women’s sports teams under a Title IX resolution reached with the U.S. Department of Education, which found UPenn had violated federal civil rights laws by allowing transgender swimmer Lia Thomas to compete in the 2021‑22 season. The agreement mandates that UPenn restore athletic records and titles to biological female athletes and issue personalized apology letters to those affected The deal follows a federal investigation triggered by Thomas’s historic NCAA Division I national title in women’s swimming, prompting scrutiny of the university’s eligibility policies. Under the terms, UPenn must adopt biology-based definitions of sex, bar male-assigned athletes from female facilities and teams, and publicly reaffirm compliance with Title IX Secretary of Education Linda McMahon hailed the resolution as a “great victory for women and girls,” attributing it to former President Trump’s executive orders aimed at protecting women’s sports . University President J. Larry Jameson acknowledged that while past policies complied with NCAA rules, the new directive ensures future alignment with federal requirements The case has reignited national debates on transgender participation in sports, with LGBTQ advocates warning of exclusionary impacts and others, including former swimmer Riley Gaines, celebrating it as a protection of fairness for cisgender women

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Juventus Tables New Contact for Osimhen

Fola Badmus12 mins

Serie A giants Napoli will definitely see Victor Osimhen depart this summer and there is increasing possibility of him joining Juventus. The Bianconeri were linked with the striker some months ago and now, they are back in the fray, with the forward struggling to attract suitable offers for himself. Gianluca di Marzio has reported that the Old Lady have two options for the striker’s department and while one is Jonathan David, the key target is Osimhen. They are serious about signing the Nigeria international and Igor Tudor is keen to have him in Turin. Contact between the two parties intensified over the weekend. Juve’s goal is to acquire the player’s approval for the transfer so that they can then agree a wage with the player. After that, they will negotiate with Napoli, who have inserted a release clause in Osimhen’s current contract but it is only applicable to clubs abroad.

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