Sports

By Sabiu Abdullahi

João Félix is set to rejoin Chelsea on a permanent deal from Atlético Madrid, according to exclusive reports.

The agreement between the two clubs has been finalized, paving the way for Félix’s return to Stamford Bridge. 

As revealed earlier, Félix’s move is part of a deal involving Conor Gallagher, who will head to Madrid on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Félix will travel to London within the next 24-48 hours to undergo a medical and sign a six-year contract valid until June 2030.

The deal also includes an option to extend until 2031. 

Félix’s return to Chelsea marks a significant coup for the club, with the Portuguese star having expressed his desire to rejoin the Blues.

Fans are eagerly anticipating the move, with many taking to social media to express their excitement.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu warmly congratulates Nigeria’s D’Tigress on qualifying for the quarterfinals of the women’s basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

D’Tigress will be the first African team in basketball to play in the quarterfinals at the Olympics.

The President commends the team for its uncommon demonstration of resilience, teamwork, and diligence.

President Tinubu also commends the coach and managers of the team for their dutifulness and dedication.

The President enjoins the brave Tigress not to rest on their oars until the final victory is achieved.

President Tinubu assures the team and the entire Nigerian contingent at the 2024 Olympics of his support as they fly the nation’s flag at the global sporting event.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Argentina edged out Colombia 1-0 in extra time to secure a record 16th Copa America title at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

Lautaro Martinez’s decisive goal in the additional period sealed the victory, cementing Argentina’s status as a football powerhouse. 

The win marks Argentina’s third consecutive major tournament triumph, following their 2021 Copa America victory and 2022 World Cup success in Qatar.

However, the match was not without its challenges, including a 82-minute delay due to security and crowd issues. 

On the field, Colombia started strong, with Jhon Cordoba’s early shot hitting the post. Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria later had opportunities, but Colombia’s defense held strong.

The game remained goalless until Martinez’s winner in extra time. 

Off the field, chaos erupted outside the stadium as fans struggled to enter due to security issues and inefficient entry systems.

The situation was eventually resolved, but not before some fans required medical attention for heat exhaustion.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Spain’s national team secured their fourth European championship title by defeating England 2-1 in Berlin, Germany. 

Mikel Oyarzabal’s late goal in the 86th minute proved to be the winner, after Nico Williams and Cole Palmer had earlier traded goals for Spain and England, respectively. 

Spain’s defense held strong to deny England an equalizer, with Dani Olmo’s crucial intervention thwarting Marc Guehi’s last-gasp effort.

The victory marks Spain’s fourth Euro title, cementing their status as one of the continent’s top teams.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Super Eagles coach Finidi George will return to the NPFL with Rivers United.

Reports say Finidi met with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Tuesday to discuss his impending appointment, and he will shortly be presented as the head coach of the Port Harcourt outfit.

Long-serving coach Stanley Eguma was fired during the past season, and Evans Ogenyi led the team for the remainder of the campaign.

Former Ajax winger Finidi led Enyimba to win the NPFL championship the previous season before he was appointed Super Eagles coach in May.

He quit his Super Eagles post after the NFF appointed a foreign coach to be his boss following a 1-1 home draw with South Africa and a shock loss to Benin in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Cameroon international Landry Nguemo has died in a tragic traffic accident, the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) announced on Thursday.

The 38-year-old midfielder, who played for the Indomitable Lions between 2006 and 2014, lost his life in the accident. 

Nguemo had a distinguished club career in France, playing for AS Nancy-Lorraine, Bordeaux, and Saint-Etienne.

He won the French League Cup with Nancy in 2006 and the French Cup with Bordeaux in 2013. 

The football community is mourning the loss of Nguemo, who returned to Nancy as a coach after his playing days.

He worked with the Under 16s team, sharing his expertise and experience with young players. 

He will be remembered as a talented player and dedicated coach who made a lasting impact on the sport.

By Jamilu Uba Adamu

It’s impossible to start this column without some reflection, especially with my interest in Kano football history.

After holding its AGM meeting last week, the Kano State Football Association (KSFA) organised an award night to honour the achievement of some truly deserving individuals. 

For some reason, I have not been able to attend the event, but from the videos and the pictures I saw, the award night was a resounding success and full of important guests. 

The venue was beautifully decorated, and a giant screen was mounted on the stage with a background picture of each recipient of the award playing, just like we usually see at international events. 

It was top-notch, from the meeting to the plaque award presentation to the awardees. The awards themselves were a fitting tribute to the outstanding contributions of the honorees. 

It was a night to remember, and the Kano State Football Association, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Sharu Rabiu Inuwa Ahlan, has set a high standard. It deserves a standing ovation for organising an outstanding event. The efforts have made a significant impact.

Aside from all that, after going through the list of the award categories that include NLO Kano State Football Association Best Player, NPFL Best Player and SWAN Kano Chapter Award, a reflection that comes to my mind, especially considering my interest in the history aspect of sports, I observed that there is no inclusion of posthumous award category among the list. 

This means that as laudable as the award event is, there is no recognition for a posthumous award to those who deserved to be honoured for planting the seeds of the game of football in Kano long ago. It continues growing as we have it today. 

Those individuals are worth mentioning for special recognition for their contributions to nurturing the game and setting the pace we are following today. 

On such award occasions, the KSFA ought to create a posthumous award category for people like the Late Muhammadu Ɗanwawu Fagge, the man who led the legendary Kano XI to win the 1953 Challenge Cup and the sponsor of the defunct Ɗanwawu cup.

Pioneer Kano Pillars FC Chairman late Alh Isiyaku Muhammad (whom his blossom friend, Alh. Isiyaku Umar Tofa, on so many occasions, used to say it was him that convinced him to be sponsoring the Tofa Cup back then). 

Also, former Kano Pillars FC Chairman’s Late Alhaji Hassan Na-Abba, late ACP Sabo Abdullahi, Late Hon. Ɗanlami Hamza, Late Sani Muhammed Usman, and late Alh Kabiru Waya or even the famous legendary Kano XI squad, that consists of the Late Sidi Coach, Maxwell, and Okoh brothers, that won the first Kano state football trophy in far away Lagos in 1953, the list goes on.

Each of those mentioned above-listed individuals deserves to be posthumously awarded. I am sure honouring them this way can be an opportunity to celebrate a legacy, inspire others, and preserve history because omitting posthumous recognition can lead to forgotten legacies and leave a legacy uncelebrated.

With this, I urge the Kano State Football Association to, in the future event, seriously consider bestowing posthumous awards to these deserving historical individuals who put not only   Kano State but the whole of Northern Nigeria on a football map. 

Let me close by extending my wholehearted congratulations to Kano State Football Association and the awardees.

Jamilu Uba Adamu is a freelance sports writer and can be reached via jameelubaadamu@yahoo.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Finidi George has stepped down as the head coach of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, citing interference from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). 

George’s resignation comes just two months after his appointment in May, and barely a week after the NFF announced plans to appoint a foreign technical adviser to oversee him. 

The former international winger had expressed frustration over the lack of support from the NFF and questioned the commitment of Nigeria’s top players in the crucial World Cup qualifiers. 

Under George’s leadership, the Super Eagles suffered disappointing losses to South Africa and Benin in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, leading to his demotion. 

According to sources, George’s one-year contract will be downgraded, and his monthly salary will be reduced from N15 million to N5 million.

His handpicked assistants will also be replaced by the new foreign coach’s staff. 

The NFF’s decision to appoint a foreign technical adviser has been widely criticized by Nigerian football fans and stakeholders, who see it as a lack of confidence in local coaches. 

George’s resignation has added to the uncertainty surrounding the Super Eagles’ preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. 

The NFF has yet to officially confirm George’s resignation and has not announced a replacement for the former coach.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Kylian Mbappé has officially signed with Real Madrid, with the club set to announce the French superstar as their new signing next week. 

According to sources, “every document has been signed, sealed, completed,” confirming Mbappé’s decision to join the Spanish giants.

The 24-year-old made his decision in February and has since completed all necessary steps for the transfer. 

“He can be considered a new Real Madrid player,” a source revealed.

Mbappé’s transfer comes on the heels of Real Madrid’s Champions League victory, marking a historic moment for the club. 

The announcement is expected to be made next week, cementing Mbappé’s place in Real Madrid’s history.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

According to reports from L’Équipé, Paris Saint-Germain failed to pay Kylian Mbappé’s salary in April and his bonus in February.

This shocking revelation has led to lawyers getting involved to settle the dispute. 

As one of the top players in the world, Mbappé’s contract is reportedly worth millions, and the failure to pay his salary and bonus on time has raised questions about the club’s financial management. 

The situation is still developing, and fans are eagerly waiting to see how it unfolds.