The major leagues in Europe and around the world may have ended, but the actions behind the pitch are intensifying. Teams are sacking coaches, signing players, and making moves to bolster their chances ahead of the campaign.
At the Roland Garros, the French Open is reaching its climax after days of action-packed games, just as the race for the 2026 World Cup heats up in Asia.
Relive these and more on First 11 — the recap of major sports stories during the week.
Spurs Dismiss Postecoglou Despite Europa League Win
It’s the season of firing at Tottenham! Despite helping to break the club’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League, Ange Postecoglou was shown the exit door on Friday, becoming the latest casualty in the Premier League sack race.
The North London club finished 17th in the league, one of their worst outings in decades. Even though the team qualified for the Champions League by winning Europe’s second-tier club competition, Spurs said it was time for the Australian gaffer to go.
“Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties,” a statement on Tottenham’s official X account said.
Super Eagles Held By Russia
FT in Moscow. Good show by the Eagles at the Luzhniki stadium against the host #soarsupereagles pic.twitter.com/xIH3BATdjm
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles have continued their preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, drawing European side Russia in a friendly game in Moscow.
An own-goal by Semi Ajayi, who deflected a low cross past goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, gave Russia a 27th-minute lead. However, Genk striker Tolu Arokodare came off the bench in the second half to score his first goal for Nigeria. The match ended 1-1! Friday’s game came off the back of the Super Eagles winning the Unity Cup —an invitational tournament in England.
Nigeria are at risk of missing out on the World Cup after an abysmal start to the qualification campaign. The Super Eagles and South Africa, who will clash in a key World Cup qualifier during September, finished second and third in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Super Falcons Humble Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses
The morning after a job well done !
Still buzzing from last night’s win over Cameroon in Abeokuta.#CMRNGA #MissionX #SoarSuperFalcons pic.twitter.com/nbn94jeOA0
Before the Super Eagles took to the field, the country’s female senior national team was also in action at home. They faced neighbours Cameroon in a friendly match, part of their preparations for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), and emerged victorious – 2-0 winners courtesy of Rasheedat Ajibade’s brace.
Nigeria, nine-time winners, will aim to make it 10 when the WAFCON begins in July in the Maghreb nation of Morocco.
U-17 World Cup: Flamingoes Get Dream, Dangerous Group
The groups are set for the #U17WWC 2025!
Who will be crowned Champions?
In the meantime, the Flamingoes were drawn into Group D of the U-17 Women’s World Cup, billed for later in the year. The Nigerians got Canada, France, and Samoa to battle in the group stage of the competition scheduled for Morocco.
Nigeria will be taking part in the tournament for the eighth time. However, this edition will feature 24 sides – the first time that is happening. Morocco will be the first African country to host the age-grade showpiece, which runs from October 17 to November 8, 2025.
Sabalenka, Gauff Set for Roland Garros Showdown
In tennis, world number one Aryna Sabalenka will be aiming for a French Open title against second-ranked Coco Gauff at Roland Garros on Saturday. It will be the first time the world’s top two players have met in a women’s Grand Slam final since Caroline Wozniacki defeated Simona Halep to win the 2018 Australian Open.
Sabalenka and Gauff faced off in the 2023 US Open final when the Belarusian led by a set before imploding as the then-teenager Gauff claimed her maiden major title.
Gauff is targeting to become only the third player to win two women’s Grand Slam titles before 22 since Maria Sharapova added the 2006 US Open to her famous 2004 Wimbledon win. The others are Swiatek and former world number one Naomi Osaka.
French Open: Sinner Sets Up Clash With Alcaraz
While Gauff and Sabalenka square off in the women’s singles final, Jannik Sinner will be meeting with reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s version at Roland Garros.
Sinner battled past Novak Djokovic to book a date in the final against Alcaraz, who stormed past Lorenzo Musetti. The 38-year-old Sinner will next attempt to win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon next month. Neither Sinner nor Alcaraz has ever lost a major final, but Sunday will change the trajectory.
Raphinha Crowned La Liga’s Best
Raphinha named La Liga Player of the Season! pic.twitter.com/oNiWF8bMYD
Back to football! Brazil winger Raphinha’s outstanding season has gotten him the Player of the Year prize in Spain’s La Liga. The forward helped Barcelona win the domestic double, notching 18 goals and nine assists. The hard-working right-sided winger is a skilled dribbler and assiduous back-tracker. His teammate and teenage striker Lamine Yamal won the under-23 award.
EPL Confirms Fixtures Release Date For 2025/26 Campaign
Ahead of the next campaign, the Premier League has confirmed the release date for the 2025/26 fixtures. According to a statement released earlier in the week, the fixtures will be out on June 18, 2025.
The opening matchday will start on August 18, 2025!
Chelsea Seal Delap Deal
Already, Chelsea are getting their act in place for next season with the signing of English striker Liam Delap. The Premier League giants beat off competition from Premier League rivals to land Delap from Ipswich for a reported fee of £30 million ($41 million).
Delap, 22, scored 12 Premier League goals during his sole season at Portman Road but could not prevent Ipswich making an immediate return to the Championship.
He was one of the few success stories for the Tractor Boys during a difficult season as they were relegated back to the Championship with just 22 points.
Uzbekistan, Jordan Reach World Cup For First Time
In international games, Uzbekistan and Jordan made history by qualifying for their first World Cup. The pair will be joined in next year’s tournament by perennial participants South Korea. Uzbekistan, one of the fastest-rising national teams in Asia, drew 0-0 with the UAE in Abu Dhabi to take the second automatic spot in Group A. South Korea confirmed their place in an 11th straight World Cup by defeating Iraq 2-0 in Basra.
Kano Mourns 22 Athletes
On the home front, Kano State on Monday observed a public holiday to mourn 22 athletes killed in a road accident while returning from the National Sports Festival, which was held in Ogun State.
The athletes died last Saturday in a road crash while returning from the games. A delegation from Ogun State also paid a condolence visit to the Kano State Government.
Their deaths have continued to raise concerns over the welfare of athletes in the country, but government authorities have promised to do better.
May their souls rest in peace!
Source: Channels TV
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