Sports

IFAB has approved five key rule changes for the 2025/26 season. Major updates include an eight‑second goalkeeper possession limit, assistant referees on the penalty line, VAR communication flexibility, accidental contact rules, and referee body cameras debuting at the Club World Cup.

Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s 17-year-old winger, has been named the most valuable footballer in the world for 2025. With a staggering valuation of £339 million and a €1 billion release clause, he tops a list filled with Premier League and La Liga stars.

Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham will face each other in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup on August 13 in Italy. Meanwhile, IFAB has updated football's penalty rule to clarify double-touch situations following a recent controversy involving Julián Álvarez.

Ahmed Musa, the Super Eagles winger, has quietly married his fourth wife, Asmau Moriki. The ceremony took place in Kano with only close relatives and friends present. Musa’s personal life has seen several marriages since 2013, each drawing public attention.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has dropped Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman from the Unity Cup squad. He wants to test new players and tactics ahead of key qualifiers. NPFL stars and veteran Ahmed Musa will lead the reshaped team.

Barcelona have extended Lamine Yamal’s contract until 2031 after his record-setting season. At 17, he’s the youngest scorer in La Liga and a Euro 2024 winner. The deal follows his standout role in helping Barca win a domestic treble.

Nigerian hurdler Tobi Amusan stormed to victory at the Rabat Diamond League, setting a new meet record of 12.45 seconds in the women’s 100m hurdles. Her win highlights her return to top form as she prepares for global championships.

"Novak Djokovic has made tennis history, winning his 100th ATP title after a thrilling victory over Hubert Hurkacz in the Geneva Open final. The Serbian star battled through a tough three-set match, securing the win with a decisive ace. This milestone places Djokovic alongside Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only men to reach 100 ATP titles.

Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen played an online match against 143,000 players from around the world. The game, hosted on chess.com, ended in a draw after six weeks. Carlsen praised the global team’s strategy and said he found no winning chance.

Six athletes have been disqualified from the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta for doping. The National Sports Commission says this move supports clean sports and follows new Nigerian anti-doping laws aligned with global standards set by WADA.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony will make history by offering equal awards for male and female footballers. Set for September in Paris, the event adds new categories for women and keeps the Socrates Award open to all. Nominees will be announced in August.

A total of 23 clubs have already secured places in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League under UEFA’s new 36-team format. Top teams from England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and more have qualified, with more teams to join after league and playoff conclusions.

The 22nd National Sports Festival — Gateway Games 2024 — kicked off in Ogun with a grand opening ceremony. Young weightlifters Amarachi Chijioke and Scholastical Tekumbur stunned the crowd by winning four medals, signaling a bold beginning to the competition.

South Africa defeated Morocco 1-0 to win their first-ever U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title. Gomolemo Kekana scored the only goal, sealing a historic moment. South Africa showed strong defence and determination, ending Morocco’s 14-game unbeaten run.

Nigerian track star Favour Ofili made global headlines by breaking the women’s 150m world record at the Adidas Atlanta City Games. Clocking in at an unprecedented 15.85 seconds, Ofili stunned spectators and competitors alike, securing her place in athletics history with the fastest time ever recorded in the event.