Sport

Barau Football Club has reached an agreement to appoint experienced coach Ladan Bosso as the club’s new Technical Adviser ahead of the 2025/2026 football season. In a statement signed by the club’s Media Officer, Ahmad Hamisu Gwale, the club announced that Coach Bosso will assume his new responsibilities with immediate effect as the team prepares to resume training in the coming days. Read Also: Tinubu Hails Ganduje’s Leadership, Commends Role in Establishing APC Progressive Institute While details of his contract and official unveiling ceremony are yet to be disclosed, the club expressed confidence that his wealth of experience will help strengthen the squad and enhance performance in the forthcoming season. Barau FC is expected to make further announcements regarding pre-season activities and other technical developments in due course.

Nigeria and Morocco became the first teams to advance to the semi-finals of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following impressive victories in Friday’s quarter-final clashes. The Super Falcons of Nigeria delivered a five-star performance to dismantle Zambia 5-0, reaffirming their dominance on the continent. Osinachi Ohale set the tone for the rout just two minutes into the game, nodding home from a well-delivered free-kick. Esther Okoronkwo doubled the lead before Chinwendu Ihezuo added a third to give Nigeria a comfortable 3-0 cushion at halftime. Read Also: Barau FC Arrives Asaba for NNL Super Eight, Targets NPFL Promotion There was no let-up after the break as Oluwatosin Demehin and Folashade Ijamilusi each found the net, sealing a resounding victory for the nine-time African champions. With the win, Nigeria sets up a semi-final date with the winner between Senegal and South Africa, who face off in another quarter-final fixture. Elsewhere, host nation Morocco kept their title hopes alive with a solid 3-1 triumph over Mali. Ibtissam Jraidi was the star of the show, scoring a brace, while Kenza Chapelle added a third to wrap up the win. Aissata Traore converted from the spot for Mali, but her goal was nothing more than a consolation. The Atlas Lionesses will now await the outcome of the Ghana vs Algeria tie to determine their semi-final opponents.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has arrived in the United Kingdom to finalize a long-anticipated move to Premier League side Arsenal. According to The Athletic, the 26-year-old Spanish international is expected to hold final talks with Arsenal officials in London as the Gunners look to wrap up what will be their first signing of the summer transfer window. Zubimendi, who has a £51 million release clause in his current contract, will reportedly join for a slightly higher fee structured to allow Arsenal to stagger payments across several years. Read Also: Salah headlines six-man shortlist for PFA player of the year award Having risen through the ranks at Real Sociedad, Zubimendi has made 236 appearances and scored 10 goals for the LaLiga outfit, earning a reputation as one of Spain’s most technically gifted defensive midfielders. While Liverpool were heavily linked with the player last year, Zubimendi opted to stay in Spain for one more season. Earlier this month, reports also surfaced suggesting that Real Madrid had made a late move to hijack Arsenal’s deal, but it appears the Gunners have won the race. The transfer would mark a significant addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad as Arsenal seek to build on last season’s strong campaign and push once again for the Premier League title.  

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been named among six nominees for the 2024/25 Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Men’s Player of the Year award. The 33-year-old forward played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning campaign, contributing 29 goals and 18 assists. His standout performances have already earned him the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year honour with a commanding 90 percent of the votes, the widest margin recorded this century. Salah leads a competitive shortlist that includes his Liverpool teammate Alexis Mac Allister, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes. READ ALSO: Premier League Disciplines Man City with £1m fine for Delays Palmer, last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year, made the list despite Chelsea’s inconsistent campaign. Declan Rice, meanwhile, was a midfield force for Arsenal, recording nine goals and ten assists in 52 appearances across all competitions, his most productive season yet. Newcastle’s Isak netted 23 times, helping the Magpies qualify for the UEFA Champions League and ending the club’s 56-year wait for silverware with a League Cup triumph. Bruno Fernandes stood out in a disappointing season for Manchester United, tallying eight league goals and ten assists as the Red Devils endured their worst top-flight performance since 1973/74. The winner will be announced at the PFA Awards Gala scheduled to take place in Manchester on August 19.  

Former Aston Villa captain Gabriel Agbonlahor has predicted a challenging start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign for Arsenal, forecasting that the Gunners will collect only seven points from their opening six fixtures. The Premier League recently unveiled the full fixture list for the new season, with Mikel Arteta’s side set to face a difficult run of matches. Arsenal will begin their campaign away at Manchester United before hosting newly-promoted Leeds United. They will then travel to face Liverpool, host Nottingham Forest, and square off against Manchester City at the Emirates, before heading to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United. Sharing his predictions on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor stated that “Man United away in the first game, I’ve gone for a draw. Leeds at home, I have gone for a win. Liverpool away a loss. Forest at home a narrow win. Man City at home a loss. Newcastle away, they don’t do well there, so I’ve gone for another loss.” Read Also: Madueke’s future uncertain as Arsenal show interest According to the former England international, that run would leave Arsenal with just seven points out of a possible 18, a disappointing return for a team aiming to challenge for the title again. Arsenal finished second in the 2024/25 season behind champions Liverpool and are expected to mount another strong title challenge, but Agbonlahor’s projections suggest the North London club may need to quickly find form if they are to stay in the race.  

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke could be on his way to Arsenal in a surprise transfer move this summer, according to a report by The UK Telegraph. The 23-year-old England international is said to be among the wide attacking options currently being considered by the Gunners, as they look to strengthen their forward line ahead of the new season. Madueke, who joined Chelsea from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, has shown glimpses of his talent but has struggled with consistency and fitness. Injuries and limited starts have hampered his ability to cement a regular role in the first team. Read Also: Premier League Disciplines Man City with £1m fine for Delays Under new head coach Enzo Maresca, Madueke has recently been deployed as a left winger, although questions remain over his long-term role in the squad. Reports suggest he may not be assured significant game time next season. Chelsea’s pursuit of reinforcements in wide areas specifically Jamie Bynoe-Gittens from Borussia Dortmund and Mohammed Kudus from West Ham has further fueled speculation that Madueke could be allowed to leave. A move to Arsenal would be a surprising cross-London switch, and while talks are still at an exploratory stage, the Gunners are monitoring his situation closely.