Category sport-news

The reports that Olympic sprinter Favour Ofili has allegedly reverted to Turkey are disheartening, according to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

However, it made it clear that she would continue to be a beacon of hope in the nation’s athletics.

According to a statement signed by the AFN’s President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, on Sunday, “he and his newly elected board read and heard her desire to change nationality, just like every other sports-loving person in Nigeria, on the continent, and beyond that”

“If this is accurate, it is depressing, painful, and disheartening,” but World Athletics (WA) has not yet provided her with any correspondence. She has a lot of potential, it continued.

Less than three months before the Tokyo World Athletics Championships in 2025, Ofili reportedly reaffirmed his allegiance to Turkiye.

Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor made the report public on his X handle late on Saturday.

Ofili was denied 100m Spot at the Paris 2016 Games because of a string of enraged tweets that referenced the AFN’s administrative mistakes and both organizations’ reliability.

“I have worked this opportunity for four years. What is it for? Don’t believe this is over because you guys are doing it because this isn’t your style, Ofili wrote on X, a former Twitter account.

However, Okowa claims that since the mistake at the Tokyo Olympics, she has made it difficult to reach any kind of truce.

Okowa stated that Favor Ofili already received her training grant for this year.

The AFN President added that they have worked to address the issue that his first administration raised during his administration’s work.

The former board and the sports ministry, in collaboration with the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), had planned and carried out the preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. We continued to grow the entire situation and the Games. Look at the tests that the AFN carried out while I was in charge.

There were no doping violations or similar things, he said, “We funded 60% of the tests conducted before the Paris Games.”

It’s also obvious that she has been working and preparing for her newfound Turkish love, the statement continued. Although it’s painful and difficult for us to accept her, she is still our daughter, sister, and child, despite the fact that she is old enough to make the decision.

“We regret this depressing development to Nigerians, the National Sports Commission, and the millions of people who hold the sport and nation in high regard.”

She “shunned the national trials” on numerous occasions, and even when she came, she chose the events she would like to take part in.

She ran in the heats at the 2024 African Championships in Cameroon, claiming that the organisers had not set the ideal environment for competition. Additionally, she did not attend Accra, Ghana’s final African Games.

Ofili is undoubtedly one of our athletes’ best performers in recent memory, but she has a lot of issues.

The AFN has its problems, but we are still flourishing within the system and getting along with other elite athletes. We wish her every success, no matter where she is going or what she does.

Jon Jones, arguably the world’s greatest heavyweight MMA fighter, retired from the UFC, Tom Aspinall taking home the title.

The commission president, Dana White, made this announcement at a surprise press conference on Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan.

White claims that Jones called on Friday night to inform him and UFC officials that he would be leaving the sport after two years of being the champion.

The 37-year-old had earlier stated that he had no desire to fight Aspinall to defend his title.

The official heavyweight champion team, TanaWhite, has announced that Jon Jones has RETIRED, making Tom Aspinall the heavyweight champion. twitter.com/oJ8a9nl8KT

Then, Jones then lengthyly stated on his official X page that he would officially announce his retirement from the UFC. I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the journey I’ve had over the years.

My goal from the moment I entered the Octagon was to exceed what was possible in this sport. I’ll cherish these memories forever, including winning my title against some of the best fighters in history, defending my title against other people’s, and sharing unforgettable experiences with fans all over the world.

I’m formally announcing my UFC retirement today. I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the journey I’ve had over the years.

My goal was to enter the Octagon the first time, and I did so…

I’ve had some incredible highs and lows, but each one of them has taught me something that is valuable and has strengthened me both mentally and physically.

I want to thank Dana, Hunter, Lorenzo, God, my family, coaches, teammates, and all the fans who have supported me throughout each chapter. My foundation has been your unwavering trust and faith in me. Thank you, fellow fighters, for treating me with respect both inside and out of the cage, and for bringing out the best in me.

I look forward to new challenges and opportunities as I wrap up this chapter of my life. I’m excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways because MMA will always be a part of who I am. I appreciate everyone who took me on this incredible journey. The future holds out for the best.

Jones won the vacant heavyweight title in March 2023, ending his career with a 28-point record.

Since defending it against Stipe Miocic in November, he hasn’t fought.

Although Aspinall has held the interim belt for 18 months, many sports enthusiasts anticipated a fight between the two to unite.

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).