Another busy week for sports! Football took center stage as the Club World Cup gained momentum. Following Favour Ofili’s reported nationality switch, reactions have also continued.  ,
The Super Falcons also increased their preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in a week that saw Cristiano Ronaldo commit to staying in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo’s contract extension and other highlights are included in First 11 – the recap of the most talked-about sports stories of the week!
New Contract for Ronaldo Pens
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the sport’s greatest players, extended his two-year contract with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr this week.  ,
Following months of flurry of rumors about the 40-year-old’s future, the new deal was announced.  ,
Hours after Al Nassr finished third and trophyless, Ronaldo declared, “This chapter is over.” The Portuguese superstar made his debut in the oil-rich nation in 2023 when he arrived in the kingdom to join the club.
Prepare for World War One and Super Falcons land in Morocco.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons continued their preparations for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The African giants and Portugal played a friendly game in Lisbon last week, drawing 0-0 with the Europeans.  ,
The team made Morocco on Wednesday and will face fierce rival Ghana in a friendly game before the WAFCON. The competition begins on July 5, 2025, and runs until July 26, 2025.
Ofili’s nationality changes?  ,  ,
Reports about the allegiance of Turkish sprinter Favour Ofili dominated the news this week on the track.  ,
She cited frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in competitions as the cause of her decision, which has since been filtered out.  ,
Tonobok Okowa, AFN president, described the development as unfavorable in a statement. The US-based sprinter was denied a 100-meter spot at the Paris Olympics and cited in a number of tweets the AFN’s administrative errors as well as the organization’s credibility for the development.  ,
FIFA World Cup’s Last 16
The Club World Cup has continued over the course of the week with teams securing their spots in the last 16 of the competition, which is hosted by Ofili in the US. Everything is now set up for the upcoming tournament round following the final round of games.  ,
The final two teams to reach the last 16 after resounding victories included Manchester City and Real Madrid. The final 16 games will begin on Saturday and continue until Tuesday.
Four South American teams will face off in a race to advance to the quarter-finals of the money-spinning competition.  ,
Brazilian Club World Cup wins
Only a few could have given them a chance when the tournament first sounded earlier in the month. However, a quick look at the rival rivals for spots in the Club World Cup’s quarter-final shows that Brazil is the dominant team with four teams.  ,
The South American giants have excelled in their role in the European tournament, stoking questions about the level of competition there. The only loss for any Brazilian club came from Botafogo’s defeat to Atlético Madrid, while Paris Saint-Germain and Flamengo defeated Chelsea. The Brazilians have only conceded nine games and have only lost one of them in 12 games.
Nigerian Stars Start New Clubs
Other clubs are also putting their teams in shape ahead of the upcoming season as clubs compete in the US Club World Cup. Two Nigerian players, Paul Onuachu and Simon Moses, have found new homes this week.  ,
Moses joined Paris FC from Nantes, while Onuachu and Trabzonspor, a Turkish Super Lig side, left relegated Southampton. Both players were members of Nigeria’s squad that won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. His fellow-boyfriend Chiamaka Nnadozie left Paris FC and signed for Brighton as well.  ,
After 31 years, FG fulfills Promise.
Efan Ekoku, a member of the 1994 AFCON-winning Super Eagles team, can now chuckle as the Federal Government’s housing promise has come true. He is a member of the team that won the AFCON championship.  ,
The team’s striker, Ekoku, received the allocation letter from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for his Abuja home.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the team’s housing allocation in 2022 in accordance with the promise made by the then-administrative administration in 1994.
Okoye Bags Ambassadorial Position
Maduka Okoye, Ekoku’s companion, is currently at home and working as an ambassador for Enugu State.  ,
When Okoye visited him at the Government House in Enugu, Governor Peter Mbah appointed the Super Eagles and Udinese of Italy goalkeeper.  ,
Okoye announced plans to start a charitable foundation and launch a state football academy, and he expressed joy at returning to his roots.
D’Tigress Unveil Provisional Squad for Afrobasket
Nigerian authorities have released the D’Tigress provisional squad for the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket competition in 2025.
The core of the team that won the tournament in Rwanda two years ago is pictured in the 20-man squad of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).  ,
The tournament is held by Nigeria under the direction of Rena Wakama. In Côte d’Ivoire, they will be expected to face off against them for a fifth title on the bounce.
Rio Flight Ticket: Mikel Tells Mikel, Siasia Tells Mikel, and Show Receipt
Former Olympic Eagles coach Mikel Obi’s claim that the team paid for their flight to the Rio 2016 Olympics has been refuted by a former official football official.  ,
Mikel, who was a member of the Brazilian national team that won the Olympic team medal, claimed to have funded the men’s U-23 football team’s trip from their camp in Atlanta, US, to Manaus, Brazil.  ,
Siasia has, however, requested that Mikel provide supporting evidence.  ,
Mbappé Files a complaint with PSG
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed on Thursday that an investigation had been opened, and Kylian Mbappé has also accused his former club Paris Saint-Germain of moral harassment in a legal filing.
Mbappe, the country’s captain, is also fighting with PSG to recoup the 55 million euros ($64.45 million) in unpaid wages and bonuses he claims the club owes him.
