Category sport-news

Football fans may have come to an end, but the sports world may not have been completely quiet during this week. &nbsp,

Some of the discussions revolve around transfer rumors, but the Club World Cup, preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), and a rekindled rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, among others, also made headlines in the last seven days. &nbsp,

This week’s edition of First Eleven will feature a recap of the most talked-about sports headlines of the week and other topics that have shaped discussions.

Ronaldo and I have no connection, Messi.

The long-running conflict between Ronaldo and Messi resurfaced in football this week. &nbsp,

Ronaldo and Messi have drawn comparisons between themselves, stoking heated debates among the fans. Many people consider them to be the greatest footballers to have ever played the game. &nbsp,

Messi claimed that despite having a close relationship with the Portuguese maestro, he is not friends with him. &nbsp,

“The pitch was in the fight with him,” he said. Everything stayed on the field, of course, as always. We are two normal people, Messi told DSsport in an interview.

We are not friends, and we don’t get together, he says. But he claimed that we have always treated each other with respect.

Fans have been debating who is the best football player since his comment once more. No one else comes close to Messi and Ronaldo in terms of winning the Ballon d’Or, which Messi holds just three of. &nbsp,

The Super Falcons are preparing for WAFCON with the addition of a 24-person team for the event scheduled for next month in Morocco, far from Ronaldo and Messi’s conflict. &nbsp,

For WAFCON battle, Nigeria Names Plumptre, Oshoala.

After missing for months, flamboyant defender Ashleigh Plumptre is returning to the side. &nbsp,

The team, which consists of a mix of experience and youth, was unveiled on Friday, roughly two weeks before Morocco’s participation in the World Cup of Africa. Asisat Oshoala, the record African Player of the Year winner, was as expected to be on the list, along with veteran Francisca Ordega, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, captain Rasheedat Ajibade, and Osinachi Ohale.

The Moroccan edition of the WAFCON will take place on July 5 through July 26.

Bayern scuttle Auckland City, PSG Stunned At Club World Cup

In a difficult fight between the reigning champions of Europe and South America, Paris Saint-Germain suffered a shocking defeat to Brazilian side Botafogo.

Igor Jesus’ first-half goal at the Pasadena Rose Bowl sealed Botafogo’s all-but-selection in front of a 53, 699-person crowd that was the difference. &nbsp,

After a fantastic season that ended with a stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final last month, PSG, the reigning champion of France, is widely regarded as one of the favorites for FIFA’s 32-team competition. However, their hopes of winning would have been crushed by the resilient performances of their Rio de Janeiro opponents, who would have made them the first team to advance to the last 16.

In a Group C opener, one of the heaviest defeats in the competition, New Zealand part-timers Auckland City were down by 10-nil by German champions Bayern Munich. The Club World Cup also featured a successful opening for Palmeiras, Chelsea, and Manchester City. &nbsp,

In a game in which Nicolas Jackson received a late red card on Friday, Chelsea were defeated 3-1 by Flamengo of Brazil. &nbsp,

In the EPL opener weekend, Arsenal and Man United square off.

The Premier League’s future is shaping up for the US as the Club World Cup battlerages continue. The upcoming campaign’s fixtures were released earlier this week, and the opening weekend fixture featured a mouthwatering clash between Manchester United and Arsenal, setting the tone for what will be a fascinating season. Here are the full 2025/26 season fixtures. &nbsp,

Osimhen Shines in Turkey

Victor Osimhen, a Nigerian forward, won the Goal of the Season award in Turkey. The Super Lig’s Goal of the Season award was made for the striker’s overhead kick in Galatasaray’s 3-0 victory over Antalyaspor in October 2024. &nbsp,

Osimhen defeated his teammate Kaan Ayhan (34.2%) with a vote of 65.8% of the vote cast, which was a dismal majority. &nbsp,

Why Are EPL Teams Concerned About Osimhen & Orstein?

Premier League clubs are said to be hesitant to sign the Nigerian despite his excellent form in Turkey and reports that point to him to a significant move. &nbsp,

According to football journalist David Orstein, “The biggest sticking point for the Premier League club so far seems to be, one, the salary expectations, and two, maybe he’s not the right person for them… in terms of age, where he fits into the team, and the dressing room,”

Expect more about Osimhen, who is on loan from Napoli, with the transfer window still months away. &nbsp,

Senegal’s women’s basketball team is denied visas by the US.

In the interim, Washington tightens border controls and reportedly considers extending the travel ban, according to Dakar officials, who claim the United States has rejected multiple visa applications for Senegal women’s basketball players who were scheduled to practice in America.

Some athletes and fans who intend to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in the United States are confounded by the tense border situation. According to a memo from the internal administration, the United States is considering enegal as one of the 36 nations that are included in the travel ban that prohibits entry to its territory.

Sabalenka apologizes to Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka apologized for statements she made after losing to Coco Gauff earlier in June in the French Open final. &nbsp,

Gauff won her first French Open title after coming back from a set down to defeat Sabalenka in three sets at Roland-Garros. &nbsp,

The 27-year-old described the loss as “the worst final I’ve ever played” in a press interview following the loss. She played so well, but I don’t believe she won because I made those errors, not because she did.

The Belarusian, however, claimed on Tuesday that the remarks were “simply completely unprofessional of me.” &nbsp,

I follow my feelings as I go. She continued, “I completely regret what I said back then.”

Oliseh sneers at Super Eagles’ foreign coaches.

Sunday Oliseh, a former Super Eagles coach and player, made headlines during the week for criticizing the senior male national team’s use of a foreign manager. &nbsp,

Oliseh stated on Channels Television’s Sunday Sports that he opposed having foreigners manage the Super Eagles. &nbsp,

The former team captain believes that some skilled local coaches can take the place of the team’s current leader. &nbsp,

Because we have qualified Nigerians who can perform that job, he said, “I am totally opposed to that role not being handed over to a Nigerian.” &nbsp,

Eric Chelle, a former Mali international of French descent, was appointed in January to succeed Augustine Eguavoen, who had been in an interim capacity.

Amusan wins the Diamond League season by clocks

Tobi Amusan, the world record holder, won the 2025 Diamond League in Paris, breaking the season’s best time of 12.24 seconds to finish in second place in the women’s 100m hurdles.

Amusan set a new record for the second-fastest time ever, surpassing her 2022 world record of 12.12 seconds.

Aruna Quadri Drops WTT Tourney

In the end, Japan’s Shunsuke Togami defeated Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna in the round of 32, giving him a premature exit from the 2025 WTT Star Contender in Ljubljana, Slovenia. &nbsp,

Togami won the game 3–2 (8–11, 11–9, 11–7, 5–11, 11–5) to move into the next round of the tournament. &nbsp,

In a further 32 game round, the Japanese star will face his fellow countryman and second-seed Tomokazu Harimoto, who defeated Spaniard Alvaro Robles 3-1 (93), 7-11, 11-7, 12-10).

Tobi Amusan, the world record holder, put together a fantastic performance at the Paris 2025 Diamond League, finishing in second place in the women’s 100-meter hurdles with a 12.24 second best time of the season.

She sets a new record for the fastest time ever, surpassing her 2022 world record of 12.12 seconds.

Amusan sprinted through the final meters before quickly slamming on Grace Stark of the United States, who had set a personal best and meeting record of 12.21 seconds, making her the fifth-fastest woman to cross the 100-meter barrier.

Ackera Nugent of Jamaica came in third in a quick 12.30 second.

This performance is the most recent example of the Nigerian’s consistent and impressive resurgence.

READ ALSO: Sabalenka defeats Rybakina 4-3 to reach the Berlin Semis.

Amusan’s campaign started off modestly with a fourth-place finish in China’s Xiamen, followed by another fourth-place finish in Shaoxing, which was also in China.

However, the 28-year-old resurrected in Rabat, Morocco, with a season-best and meet record time of 12.45 seconds to earn her first Diamond League title.

Paris’s fourth Diamond League appearance of the year ensures her continued improvement in form and consistency in the run-up to major championships.

In the French capital, the 2022 world champion was surrounded by world champion Keni Harrison, rising Jamaican star Nugent, Polish champion Pia Skrzyszowska, Dutch champion Nadine Visser, Bahamas-based Devynne Charlton, and current Diamond League leader Stark.

As the competition for the Diamond League finals in Zurich grows, Amusan’s upward trajectory, her top performance, and her experience at the top level helped her win the match.

Harry Kane and Michael Olise scored goals in Bayern Munich’s 2-1 victory over Boca Juniors from Argentina in the knockout stages of the Club World Cup on Friday.

The German champions took the lead thanks to Kane’s strike, but Miguel Merentiel equalized before Olise came out with a late winner.

Bayern reversed the trend of European teams losing to South American foes with a convincing victory in the Group C matchup after losing to Paris Saint-Germain against Botofogo and Chelsea against Flamengo.

“The guys gave a strong performance,” he said. We were aware that entering a hostile environment with hot weather wouldn’t be easy. We should have been two or three up in the first half, but they added pressure in the second, Kane said.

The England forward continued, “They got the momentum, but once they scored, we shifted it back in our direction.”

Boca fans once more pumped up Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, with incredible passion and noise.

However, Bayern started to calm the 63, 587 crowd by putting in the most of the movement of Bayern’s frontline, which extended the Boca defense, and Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka took over midfield.

In the eighth minute, the German side believed to have the lead when Olise’s corner was unaltered and sailed into the net.

The goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin and Serge Gnabry had a clear encounter with the referee at the monitor for a VAR review, but the effort was ruled out.

However, Bayern made a breakthrough ten minutes later when Kane pounced with a clinical left-foot shot into the bottom corner after Boca were unable to fully clear a ball into the box.

Bayern drew blood and forced for a second when Olise found Gnabry on the right, who was just inches away from the sliding Kingsley Coman.

Boca was trying to get a foot in the door when Manuel Neuer sent a thundering free kick.

Zenon once more put a fierce strike past Neuer, who punched it away moments later.

The decisive blow by Olise

Bayern, despite Boca’s best efforts, looked in charge of the game, and Kane was just too dangerous with a dangerous free-kick that dipped just in time and flew over the bar.

After the break, Bayern kept looking for more, and the busy Olise missed a good start from close range with an off-balance shot.

However, Boca never gave up on grafting and harrying, and they were finally paid in the 66th minute.

Miguel Merentiel was found by Alan Velasco in the middle of the field, and he rocketed goalwards, skipping around Josip Stanisic, and then fired a brilliant, confident finish past the helpless Neuer after being fouled.

With just six minutes left, Olise struck the decisive blow for South American clubs despite it appearing as though their unbeaten record in the competition was going to continue.

READ MORE: Flamengo Returns To Slash Chelsea At The World Cup

After a scramble on the edge of the box, Kane found the France international with a delicate lay-off, and Olise delivered a superb side-foot finish into the corner.

Konrad Laimer believed he had won the game with a third chance a moment later, but he was declared unfit for the position.

The Argentine giants needed to maintain the level, according to Boca keeper Marchesin.

We leave feeling deeply sad, depressed, and excited about what lies ahead. I believe that this is how we should approach matches, treating them with all respect, treating them with the care that Boca requires, and hoping to continue on this course.

Boca now has one point before their final group game as a result of their first defeat in the competition.

After defeating Auckland City 10-0 in their opening game, Bayern now have six points, with Portugal’s Benfica in second place with four points.