The sports world does not sleep —and this week has been no exception. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s engagement to his long-term partner, to the home-based Super Eagles’ early crash at CHAN, and a boardroom deal in the NBA involving the Boston Celtics, the last seven days came fast and thick!
D’Tigers have kicked off their campaign for a second men’s Afrobasket title, as the Super Falcons get a promised largesse from the Federal Government following their WAFCON victory!
From moments of celebration to stories of tragedies and controversies, First 11 — the recap of the biggest sports stories — looks back at the headlines that got everyone buzzing!
Cristiano Ronaldo Engages Georgina Rodriguez
Kicking off in football with the big news of Cristiano Ronaldo’s engagement to his partner, Georgina Rodriguez. She announced this on social media, posting a ring, sharing no further details about the engagement.
Ronaldo himself has not commented on the development. Both have been together for about nine years after they met at a Gucci shop in Madrid, Spain, where she worked. The Portuguese was playing for Real Madrid at that time.
PSG Fight Back To Win UEFA Super Cup
Meanwhile, the news of their engagement came around the same time that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) mounted a stunning comeback to win the 2025 UEFA Super Cup, beating English side Tottenham.
The Champions League winners were two goals down with just minutes to go in the game. However, a late fightback saw them score twice to take the game to extra time. PSG then went ahead to win the match 4-3.
Home Eagles Crash Out Of CHAN
While PSG tasted victory, it was a different kettle of fish for the home-based Super Eagles, who crashed out of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN). Sudan condemned Nigeria to a humiliating 4-0 defeat —the team’s second loss — which effectively dumped them out of the competition.
Before then, Nigeria had lost narrowly to Senegal and needed three points to boost their chances of reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament. Eric Chelle’s side takes on Congo in their last Group D game.
Premier League Returns With Liverpool Defeating Bournemouth
As Nigeria crashed out of the CHAN, attention is also shifting to the new Premier League, which kick-started on Friday after about three months of break.
The curtain raiser between champions Liverpool and Bournemouth ended 4-2 in the Reds’ favour. Arsenal will travel to Old Trafford on Sunday in the blockbuster game of the opening weekend. The full fixtures are here!
Dele-Bashiru Marries Heathrob
Outside the football pitch, Super Eagles midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, took the big, bold step, tying the knot with his Moroccan lover. The solemn Nikkah ceremony between him and Nana Bensouna took place in Manchester, United Kingdom.
The event was held in the presence of family and friends. Dele-Bashiru teamed up with Lazio this summer after an initial loan move from Hatayspor. His transfer fee is in the region of €5m.
Afrobasket: D’Tigers Outclass Tunisia
In basketball, Nigeria’s D’Tigers overpowered Tunisia 87-66 in a Group B clash at the 2025 Men’s Afrobasket on Friday, making it two wins out of two in the competition.
The Nigerians, who are gunning for the second title, showed their intent from the onset, recording a 10-0 lead. They continued on their path, outscoring the Tunisians in a match where the Houston Rockets’ shooting guard recorded 33 points. D’Tigers will take on Cameroon on Sunday!
NBA Approves Sale Of Boston Celtics
There were also boardroom deals in the NBA during the week following the sale of the Boston Celtics to an investment group led by Bill Chisholm.
The deal, worth $6.1 billion, was agreed five months ago. Chisholm is the managing director and co-founder of Symphony Technology Group. When he and his co-investors agreed to purchase the storied Celtics franchise “at an initial valuation of $6.1 billion,” that was the highest ever offered for a North American sports team.
CAS Rejects Crystal Palace’s Europa League Demotion Appeal
Back in Europe, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday rejected Crystal Palace’s appeal over their demotion from the Europa League to the UEFA Conference League.
The London club, which won last season’s FA Cup, fell foul of UEFA’s rules governing multi-club ownership. European football’s governing body determined that as of March 1, American businessman John Textor had control or influence in Palace and French club Lyon.
3SC’s Assistant Coach Dies After Slumping On Training Pitch
Farewell, Coach Akin Olowookere.
Your passion, dedication, and impact will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace… till we meet again.#3SC | #UpShooting | #OluyoleWarriors pic.twitter.com/PXLgkVZLHV
On a tragic note, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) assistant coach Akin Olowokere has died after slumping on the training pitch.
The Ibadan-based side were preparing for their second match in the 2025 ValueJet Cup, a preseason competition. Olowokere was part of the club’s new technical crew, unveiled by the team for the upcoming 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
Italian Athlete Passes Away At World Games
It was an equally sad tale in the athletics world following the death of Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis. He was found unresponsive during competition at the World Games in China’s Chengdu.
The 29-year-old was discovered unconscious during an orienteering event on August 8 and died four days later, said a joint statement from World Games organisers and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF).
Super Falcons Receive $100,000 Largesse?
Heading back to football, this time, the women’s game and the Super Falcons, who have been paid their $100,000 cash reward for winning the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade had disclosed earlier in the week that the team had yet to receive their reward, weeks after President Bola Tinubu promised them. However, the National Sports Commission (NSC) confirmed days later that the players had been handed their bonuses – the $100k gift, and a house.
However, no player has yet confirmed receipt of the rewards!
Source: Channels TV
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