Category: Sport

Ex-world boxing champion Ricky Hatton dies at 46

September 14, 2025 (updated September 14, 2025) Published by

A former world boxing champion, Ricky Hatton, has died aged 46.

His death comes just weeks after he announced his comeback to the ring.

Hatton was found at his home in Greater Manchester on Sunday morning, and police have said it is not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45 am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man.

There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances

Hatton was nicknamed ‘The Hitman’ and held multiple world and UK titles between 1997 and 2012.

He is survived by one son, Campbell, two daughters, Millie and Fearne, and a granddaughter called Lyla.

I Have Not Spoken To Anyone About Nigerian Football – Okocha Speaks On Interest In NFF Presidency

September 12, 2025 (updated September 12, 2025) Published by

Legendary Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha has dismissed reports suggesting that he is contesting for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) presidency.

ObasEmpire reports that following Tuesday’s disappointing 1-1 draw between the Super Eagles and South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, calls for the Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF board to resign intensified.

After the calls, there have been speculations that Okocha had expressed interest in running for the NFF presidency.

However, speaking via a post shared on Instagram, the sportsman dismissed the rumours and urged those behind them to cease.

He wrote, “Hello everyone, I just want to use this opportunity to say that the news and posts circulating are false.

“I have not spoken to anyone about Nigerian football or any interest in becoming NFF president. I’m currently in Kigali attending SPORTSBIZAFRICA.

I’m pleading with those spreading false information to stop. I appreciate my people and understand the frustration we’re experiencing, but rest assured that better days are ahead; let’s keep believing. I know it’s not easy, but we are all in this together. God bless, and please let’s stay strong.”

2026 World Cup: 16 countries qualify for tournament [Full list]

September 5, 2025 (updated September 5, 2025) Published by

A total of 16 countries have qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay secured their spots on Thursday, following the penultimate qualifying fixtures in the South America zone.

There were 3-0 wins for both Uruguay and Colombia, while Paraguay had a scoreless draw.

The trio join already qualified Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador from the continent.

The World Cup next year will have a record 48 teams and will be co-hosted the United States, Mexico and Canada, who all earned automatic qualification.

Other countries who have already booked their places include Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan and Australia.

A total of 43 will qualify through continental qualifying tournaments, while two more will secure their places in the intercontinental playoffs featuring six teams in March 2026.

Bayern Munich set to make a move for Nigerian forward Ademola lookman

August 31, 2025 (updated August 31, 2025) Published by

Bayern Munich have made an approach to sign Nigeria international Ademola Lookman from Atalanta, according to reports.

The German giants are proposing a loan deal for the 27-year-old attacker, which would include a significant fee and an option to buy at a substantial price.

Lookman is understood to be open to a new challenge and is keen on leaving Atalanta this summer as he eyes the next major step in his career.

Inter Milan had shown strong interest earlier in the window, but Atalanta are reluctant to allow him join another Serie A rival.

The development comes shortly after The Athletic reported that Chelsea pulled the plug on Bayern’s planned loan deal for Nicolas Jackson, following an injury to Blues striker Liam Delap.

Lookman has enjoyed a remarkable career revival since joining Atalanta from RB Leipzig for around €10 million in 2022.

After earlier spells at Charlton Athletic, Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City, the forward has flourished in Italy, becoming one of Europe’s most dangerous attackers.

He delivered a standout campaign in 2023/24, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists in 45 matches.

His crowning moment came in the Europa League final, where he netted a hat-trick to inspire Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen — ending the German side’s 51-game unbeaten run and handing Atalanta their first European trophy in history.

Lookman followed that up with another prolific season, registering 20 goals and seven assists in 40 appearances as Atalanta finished third in Serie A and secured Champions League qualification.

Bayern are expected to intensify talks in the coming days as they push to bring the Nigerian forward to the Allianz Arena.

Alejandro Garnacho Joins Chelsea, Nicolas Jackson Angry After Loan Deal Collapse

August 30, 2025 (updated August 30, 2025) Published by

Chelsea have completed the £40 million signing of Argentina winger, Alejandro Garnacho, from Manchester United.

Alejandro Garnacho, 21, has penned a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge that runs until 2032, becoming the latest big-name arrival in Enzo Maresca’s squad.

“It’s an incredible moment for my family and I to join this great club,” Garnacho told Chelsea’s official website. “I can’t wait to get started. I watched the Club World Cup and to join the world champions is special, we’re the best team in the world!”

Garnacho, who broke into United’s senior side in 2022, made 144 appearances and scored 26 goals before switching allegiances to Chelsea. His arrival is being hailed as a coup, not least because of his age and long-term potential.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson, who had already travelled to Germany to undergo a medical ahead of a loan switch to Bayern Munich, was abruptly ordered back to London.

Chelsea informed Bayern they had revoked permission for the deal after striker Liam Delap suffered a serious hamstring injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham earlier today, August 30.

According to BBC Sport, the 24-year-old is “angry” at the collapse of his initial £13m loan move, although both clubs are expected to revisit discussions in the coming days.

Speaking after the Fulham win, Maresca admitted the situation caught him by surprise. “I just finished the game, came here and have no idea. We’re going to sit now and we’ll see. Honestly, I have no idea,” he said. “When you have two strikers, it’s enough. When one of them is injured for different weeks, probably it’s not enough.”

Chelsea’s next test comes in the Champions League, away at Bayern Munich on September 17. Interestingly, a tie in which Jackson is now expected to lead the line in blue rather than red.

BREAKING: Champions League draw for 2025/2026 season confirmed [Full fixtures]

August 28, 2025 (updated August 28, 2025) Published by

The draw for the league phase for the 2025/2026 Champions League have been conducted on Thursday.

This year, the competition will continue to use the ‘Swiss-style’ league phase rather than the group stage to which fans had become accustomed.

That means that 36 teams will again take part in the competition.

Then the top eight sides will then qualify automatically for the knockout stages, while the teams that finish in ninth to 24th place will be drawn in a two-legged play-off to secure a place in the last 16 of the competition.

Teams ranked 25-36 are eliminated from all competitions.

Here are some of the fixtures:

Bayern Munich will face Chelsea (H), PSG (A), Club Brugge (H), Arsenal (A), Sporting CP (H), PSV (A), Union SG (H), Pafos (A)

Chelsea will play Barcelona (H), Bayern Munich (A), Benfica (H), Atalanta (A), Ajax (H), Napoli (A), Pafos (H), Qarabag (A)

Real Madrid take on Manchester City (H), Liverpool (A), Juventus (H), Benfica (A), Marseille (H), Olympiacos (A), Monaco (H), Kairat Almaty (A)

Inter Milan have been drawn against Liverpool (H), Dortmund (A), Arsenal (H), Atletico Madrid (A), Salavia Praha (H), Ajax (A), Kairat Almaty, Union SG

Borussia Dortmund will face Inter Milan (H), Manchester City, Villarreal, Juventus, Bodo/Glimt, Tottenham, Athletic Club, Copenhagen (A)

Liverpool play Real Madrid (H), Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Frankfurt, PSV, Marseille, Qarabag, Galatasaray (A)

Barcelona take on PSG (H), Chelsea, Frankfurt, Club Brugge, Olympiacos, Slavia Praha, Copenhage, Newcastle (A)

Super Eagles ‘Nwabali suffer injury Ahead of world cup qualifiers

August 27, 2025 (updated August 27, 2025) Published by

The 29-year-old was stretchered off during the first half of Tuesday’s league match against Richards Bay, visibly in pain after going down. The extent of the injury remains unclear, as Chippa United’s medical team continues to assess his condition.

Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers have been dealt a blow after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali sustained an injury while playing for Chippa United.

Nwabali, who has made 21 appearances for the Super Eagles, has been a reliable figure in coach Eric Chelle’s plans.

However, the timing is worrying for Nigeria, as Nwabali is expected to play a key role in next month’s qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.

His injury comes at a time when Nigeria already has a goalkeeper crisis, with Maduka Okoye unavailable due to a two-month suspension for illegal betting activities.

That leaves Nigeria with limited options. Amas Obasogie, who plays in Tanzania, has never featured for the national team. Adebayo Adeleye, currently with Greek club Volos NPS, has only one appearance to his name.

There is also 15-year-old Ebenezer Harcourt, a first-time call-up who impressed at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, but he is not expected to start in such high-stakes matches.

Nigeria is currently fourth in its qualifying group with seven points, trailing leaders South Africa by six. With two tough games ahead, the absence of Nwabali could heavily affect their chances of closing the gap.

Everton beat Brighton 2-0 in first match at Hill Dickinson Stadium

August 24, 2025 (updated August 24, 2025) Published by

Everton’s new era at the Hill Dickinson Stadium got off to a bright start with a 2-0 win over Brighton in front of a crowd of just under 52,000 on Sunday.

Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner struck for the Toffees either side of half-time as Jack Grealish claimed two assists on his first Everton start.

Brighton were left to rue a series of wasted chances, including a missed penalty by Danny Welbeck, as the Seagulls remain without a win this season.

Everton are a work in progress with David Moyes desperate to make more additions to his squad in the final week of the transfer window.

But the green shoots of a brighter future were on show on a day that has been years in the making.

Only four clubs have won more English top-flight titles than Everton’s nine.

However, they have not won a major trophy for the past 30 years and spent their final seasons at Goodison Park, the club’s home since 1892, battling relegation.

Lakuku Could miss action Unti November,Napoli confirm

August 18, 2025 (updated August 18, 2025) Published by

Romelu Lukaku will miss Napoli’s opening fixture of their Serie A title defence after suffering a thigh injury which could keep the Belgium striker out for months, the Italian champions said on Monday.

Napoli, who travel to promoted Sassuolo on Saturday, said in a statement that Lukaku had suffered a “serious” tear in his left thigh during Thursday’s pre-season friendly with Olympiakos.

No indication over how long Lukaku would be sidelined was given by Napoli, but Italian media reported that he could be out of action until November.

Napoli suggested that Lukaku, 32, might have to undergo surgery.

Lukaku was key to Napoli winning their fourth league title last season, setting up 10 Serie A goals to go with the 14 he scored under coach Antonio Conte.

CHAN 2024: Home Eagles eliminated after heavy loss to Sudan

August 12, 2025 (updated August 12, 2025) Published by

The home-based Super Eagles have been eliminated from the 2024 African Nations Championship following a 4-0 defeat to Sudan.

It was their second loss in the competition, having earlier suffered a 1-0 defeat to Senegal.

Anthony Ijoma had a goal ruled out for offside in the 23rd minutes

Nigeria fell behind two minutes later when Leonard Ngenege put the ball into his own net.

Sudan were awarded a penalty one minute before the break after Ngenege handled the ball inside the box.

Walieldin Khidir coolly slotted the ball past Lawal Mustapha.

The Sudanese scored twice more in the second half through Abdel Raouf Yagoub in the 55th and 62nd minutes respectively.

The Home Eagles will face Congo in their final group game next Tuesday.

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