Category sport-news

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has pushed for better pay for sports coaches in Nigeria. Ajbade-Rasseedat

At the church’s annual Thanksgiving service, which took place at its national headquarters in Ebute-Meta, Lagos State, the reknowned octogenarian cleric made this statement on Sunday.

Pastor Adeboye expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for awarding each of the 24 Super Falcons players the naira equivalent of $100, 000 for their tenth consecutive gold victory at Morocco’s 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The President also announced the award of the technical team, including Falcons head coach Justin Madugu, the naira equivalent of $50, 000. He also stated that each player would receive a three-bedroom apartment.

Adeboye, who praised the President’s gesture during his sermon on Sunday, said coaches should not receive less compensation than players because players depend on coaches’ experience, direction, and technical know-how.

He said, “Overcomers will receive gifts when they go through the scriptures, as you will find in Revelation 2: 17.”

So, I wasn’t surprised when the President made the gift-giving decision for the Falcons. When they said each will get a $100, 000, I said, ‘ Wow! ‘

“In our days, a handshake was all we had.” Additionally, they will receive a house in addition to the money. Then they received honors.

“I appreciate the President’s gifts to the Falcons.” I don’t quite agree with the coaches because the team won’t succeed without them, but I do think they should. However, I’m not interested in controversies. God’s blessing on the coaches.

Adeboye, a former boxer in his youth, recalled how his coach routinely guided him and his fellow competitors in 1960.

“I had a coach who gave us a difficult time back in 1960.” We eventually confronted him, unsure if we were receiving military training.

Despite years of commitment, Ademola Lookman has formally requested a transfer to Atalanta, accusing the Serie A side of breaking promises and treating him poorly.

The Nigerian international expressed his frustration over the club’s alleged failure to honor a mutual agreement to let him leave if a fair offer was made in a statement posted on Instagram on Sunday.

“Sadly, the club are blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand, despite having received an offer that is in line with what I believe had been discussed.” In the past, numerous clubs have contacted Atalanta, and I have always had a strong commitment.

I feel like I have no choice but to speak out because of all the promises I’ve made and the poor treatment I’ve received from both as a person and as a professional footballer. I can confirm that I have now submitted a formal transfer request, Lookman wrote.

Lookman has excelled for Atalanta since joining in 2022, most recently contributing to their UEFA Europa League victory.

He claimed in his time with Bergamo that he had given the team and supporters “absolutely everything.”

I’ve always tried to represent this club and Bergamo with heart, passion, and dedication while wearing the shirt with pride. One of the most proudest moments of my career so far was winning the Europa League and standing shoulder to shoulder with my teammates in Dublin that night, he said.

Read Son Heung-Min’s Decade Leave Tottenham, Also Read:

The Nigerian international player praised Atalanta as a club that made him feel like he was his own, highlighting the emotional bond he developed with supporters.

“This place has always felt like home, and I’ve always made an effort to repay that love, even when things haven’t been as easy as it has been in the background.

I’ve always tried to put the club, the fans, and the team first, he said, “Even though the very difficult moments I’ve endured, many of which have remained private and confidential. I regret that I now feel like there is little choice,” he said.

The 26-year-old admitted that despite receiving interest from other clubs, he had previously remained loyal despite saying that Atalanta’s management and he had come to terms with the decision to leave.

The player stated that if a fair offer came in, the club would allow me to move and that both myself and the club’s owners had come to terms with this.

Lookman apologized directly to the fans and stated that he still hopes to work with the club to arrive at a peaceful solution.

I want to tell the fans, who are the club’s heart, that I’m truly sorry that this has happened. I hope you are able to comprehend this extremely challenging situation. Simply put, it’s about fighting for what I think is just and right. He stated that he intends to work with the club to arrive at an amicable solution for all parties as soon as possible.

Lookman made his Serie A debut with a $ 15 million signing for Atalanta in August 2022. The club won the UEFA Europa League in 2023–24 thanks to his performances.

In the 11th minute of Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup penalty kick victory over Mexico’s Necaxa on Saturday at Fort Lauderdale’s Chase Stadium, Lionel Messi suffered an injury and was taken off.

Before making his way out of the locker room under his power and entering the locker room, the 38-year-old Argentine superstar appeared to be receiving treatment for his upper right leg or groin.

However, Miami coach Javier Mascherano predicted it would be Sunday before the exact nature of the injury and the setback’s severity would be known following a 5-4 victory in penalties after a 2-2 draw.

After the game, Mascherano said, “Well, he felt a discomfort, and we won’t be able to determine how severe the injury is,” Mascherano said.

“There is probably something there,” the statement read. He was not in pain, so perhaps not as significant. But he did experience a pull.

Messi dribbled into the Necaxa back line before stumbling to the ground and pounding the pitch as the ball was scuffled.

Read Son Heung-Min’s Decade Leave Tottenham, Also Read:

Herons captain Messi lay on his back briefly on his back until trainers arrived while he was by himself and was standing in a seated position near midfield on the left wing.

Federico Redondo was chosen to take Messi’s place after Mascherano’s decision.

After the 10-man teams played to a 2-2 draw at full time, Inter Miami prevailed 5-4 on penalties.

In the third round of the shootout, Rodrigo De Paul, Ben Cremaschi, Jordi Alba, Redondo, and Luis Suarez hit penalties for Miami, with Uruguayan striker Suarez receiving the decisive penalty kick.

Telasco Segovia of Inter Miami, a midfielder from Venezuela, scored in the 12th minute, but Herons defender Maximiliano Falcon of Uruguay received a red card in the 17th minute.

Necaxa was reduced to 10 men as a result of Cristian Calderon’s red card in the 60th minute, and Badaloni scored the equalizer in the 33rd minute to give the visitors a half-time lead.

Ricardo Monreal scored in the 81st minute after leaving the Necaxa bench, but only Alba from Spain equalized for Miami in stoppage time in the second minute.

Messi was nagged by thigh strain issues during the Argentine World Cup qualifiers in March.

In his 18 MLS appearances this year, Messi has scored 18 goals and provided nine assists.

In their opening game of the Leagues Cup, an MLS and Mexican League squad had two goals scored by him in a 2-1 victory over Atlas on Wednesday.

On Wednesday when Miami plays Pumas, the group stage will be over.

D’Tigress, a Nigerian women’s basketball team, qualified for the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, marking their fifth consecutive appearance at the tournament’s climax, according to President Bola Tinubu.

The President praised the team’s resilience and dominance following their “hard-fought 75–68 victory” over arch-rivals Senegal at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The President praised the team for defeating Senegal for the seventh consecutive time and advancing to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers, saying, “This was more than a semi-final. It was the final before the final.”

“I have observed D’Tigress consistently displaying the qualities that have earned respect for our players and coaches around the world,” he said. “I have observed the discipline, focus, and team spirit that he has consistently displayed throughout this tournament.

Rena Wakama, the team’s head coach and the first woman to lead the side, received special praise from President Tinubu for her inspiring leadership both as a former player and tactician.

Her leadership, according to the President, “continues to propel D’Tigress toward new heights in this highly competitive sport.”

READ ALSO: UPDATED: Senegal’s D’Tigress Defeat Senegal To Reach Afrobasket Final

As they continue to fight for a fifth consecutive AfroBasket title and further international success, President Tinubu reassured the team of his unwavering support.

In a fiercely contested match on Saturday, D’Tigress came out of behind to defeat Senegal 75-68. At the start of the fourth quarter, the reigning champions made a strong comeback to win.

Cierra Dillard of Senegal led the team in the third quarter, scoring 26 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

Ezinne Kalu, who had 19 points, made a crucial steal and basket to close the gap, as Nigeria responded. Nigeria rose to 69-66 after Victory Macaulay’s crucial hook shot. In the final three minutes, the team won with a score of 10-3.

D’Tigress from Nigeria defeated a tenacious Senegal to reach the 2025 Women’s Afrobasket final five times in a row.

The Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, dubbed the “final before the final,” the Nigerians won 75-68 in a hotly contested game.

Please accept this D’Tigress squad’s Commander-in-chief as we bask in the glory of yet another victory. Our very own coach was very impressed with the work! Africa’s Prince !! King of the women! Coach Rena !! pic. https://twitter.com/g9Cu4cjnpf

At the start of the fourth quarter, Senegal had an 8-point lead. Rena Wakama’s women, however, outperformed the silver medalists by 7 points in the final AfroBasket, showing their mettle.

Also read: Super Falcons Want to Be Ajibade’s Best Women’s Team in the World

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#AfroBasketWomen
Fin de la journée, Les Lionnes descendent devant les D’Tigresses en finale de l’Afrobasket Féminin #AfroBasketWomen #Senegal photo. twitter.com/lpLCdQdrd0

Cierra Dillard, who scored 26 points, seven rebounds, and three assists for Senegal, helped them outscore Nigeria 21-9 in the third quarter.

Ezinne Kalu, who had 19 points in the contest, was on hand to help the Nigerians avoid falling to the Senegalese, who haven’t defeated the D’Tigress since 2011. &nbsp,

Lena Timera gave Kalu the ball before making a two-pointer. Victory Macaulay’s hook shot gave Nigeria a strong 69-66 lead. &nbsp,

A comeback in the late fourth will help them put pressure on both ends on the DTigress to defeat long-standing rival and advance to the final! #LeadWithLegacy pic: #AfroBasketWomen #LeadWithLegacy. twitter.com/y0APv00rvX

Senegal won the game’s final three minutes to book their spot in the final score. &nbsp,

D’Tigress’ Date with Destiny

The six-time champions’ winning streak now includes 28 matches with Saturday’s victory. In a third-place match in October 2015, Nigeria was the last nation to defeat the opposition. &nbsp,

At half-time, the picture. twitter.com/whgQyAOk2m

Son Heung-min, the club’s captain, announced on Saturday that he would leave this summer after ten years in north London.

The 33-year-old attacker left Bayer Leverkusen for the Premier League in 2015 and started for Spurs more than 450 times.

He won the Europa League title in May, but despite his high standards, he had a poor season overall and suffered from numerous leg injuries.

The South Korean stated to reporters in Seoul, where Tottenham are on a pre-season tour, that “I want to leave the club this summer.”

The club, in turn, is assisting me in making this choice.

Son, who has 173 goals for Spurs, did not specify where he wanted to go next and cut a sentimental figure.

He has been linked to a move to the American MLS.

Also read: Super Falcons Want to Be Ajibade’s Best Women’s Team in the World

The decision I made in my career was the most challenging. Such wonderful memories. Son, who is accompanied by Thomas Frank, the new Tottenham boss, said, “It was very difficult to make the decision.”

To push myself, I need a new environment. I need a little bit of a turnaround; ten years is a long time. I was 23 years old when I first arrived in North London.

I leave this club as a mature, self-assured individual.

Son asserted in a Korean interview that having won Tottenham’s first European title in 41 years “played a significant role” in his thinking.

He said, “Winning a title in Europe felt like I had accomplished everything.”

I had these conversations with myself over and over again as I debated whether I wanted to play football in a different setting.

Frank paid tribute to the South Korean skipper when he left Brentford for Spurs in June.

The Dane, who succeeded Ange Postecoglou, said, “For me personally, I would have loved to have worked with this fantastic person and player.”

One of the best players to ever play in the Premier League, he calls himself a true Spurs legend in every way.

Son is guaranteed a rousing reception in front of his home fans when Spurs take on Newcastle United in Seoul on Sunday.

Since signing attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, Spurs have had a relatively quiet summer.

Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White had a plan to resign, but a $60 million move to her failed.