Author: David Great

Didier Deschamps secured his 100th victory as France manager as they edged a tenacious Austria side 1-0 in their opening Group D match at Euro 2024 but it came at a cost as talisman Kylian Mbappe suffered a suspected broken nose on Monday. It was by no means a vintage performance and France required an own goal by Austria defender Max Wober shortly before halftime to secure the three points that put them level on three points with the Netherlands who they face next. However, three years after bowing out of Euro 2020 in the last 16 to Switzerland on…

The Enugu directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Nweke Izuchukwu Jude before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State for allegedly impersonating officers of the EFCC. Jude was arraigned on charges  bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N1, 100, 000. 00 (One Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira). One of the counts reads: “That you, Nweke Izuchukwu Jude, sometime in April 2024, at Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1, 100,…

Ivan Schranz’s early strike helped a resilient Slovakia pull off the biggest upset of UEFA Euro 2024 to date, defeating Belgium 1-0 in Frankfurt. There were chances aplenty in the opening minutes, with Romelu Lukaku wasting one for Domenico Tedesco’s side as he was denied by Martin Dúbravka. Moments later, the deadlock was broken at the other end when the Falcons of Slovakia pounced on an error from Jérémy Doku, who passed dangerously across his own box, and although Juraj Kucka’s effort was straight at the goalkeeper, Schranz was on hand to tuck home the rebound. Going behind did not…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, visited the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on the occasion of the Sallah celebration. The spokesperson to the first lady, Busola Kukoyi, made this known in a post alongside a photo of both leaders via her X handle on Monday. Kukoyi said the former president came on the visit to felicitate with the wife of the President in Lagos. She wrote: “Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the First Lady of the Federal of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu after receiving the Former President who came felicitating on the…

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has claimed that Nigerians will be self-sufficient in Premium Motor Spirit (Petroleum) production in July 2024. He praised President Bola Tinubu for having the courage to end fuel subsidies, noting that the immediate hardships will soon be a thing of the past. Akpabio made the claim during a speech at the one-day South-South APC conference in Calabar, Cross River State’s capital. He stated that he had performed surveillance across several refineries before reaching his conclusion. “I went round the Dangote refinery and found out that by this July 2024, Nigeria is about to become self-sufficient…

England’s rearguard effort in a nervy second half as they held on to beat Serbia 1-0 on Sunday will hold the team in good stead as they look to go far at Euro 2024, coach Gareth Southgate  said. England, runners-up in the 2020 edition and seeking to finally win a trophy befitting their vast array of attacking talent, started brilliantly and led after 13 minutes through midfielder Jude Bellingham’s superb header. But they created few chances and allowed Serbia, who were much improved after the break, to play their way back into the Group C game though they rarely threatened…

Liverpool have had a 50m euro (£42m) offer for Lille’s French defender Leny Yoro, 18, rejected. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish) Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has reportedly held ‘positive’ talks with Leny Yoro who is a target for Real Madrid. (Yahoo) Leny Yoro has been linked to Manchester United as well although it is believed he favours a move to Madrid. (New York Times) Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Chelsea and England defender Levi Colwill, 21, has gone cold, with the German side considering any potential transfer fee to be too high. (Sky Sports Germany) Manchester City will not accept a fee lower than £25m for Portugal defender Joao…

Jude Bellingham’s first-half header proved the difference in Gelsenkirchen, as pre-tournament favourites England got off to a tension-packed start at Euro 2024, withstanding heavy second-half pressure from a spirited Serbia side to run out 1-0 winners. Finalists in 2021, Gareth Southgate’s charges enjoyed a dominant first 10 minutes with a sizable English contingent in full voice, and they deservedly drew first blood just short of the quarter-hour mark. Bukayo Saka tormented the Serbians down the right throughout the first half, and after being released by Kyle Walker, his cross was fortuitously deflected into the path of Bellingham, who arrived at…

Officers of the special operation unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Aba have discovered a cartel controlled by three suspected drug barons. The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, announced this on Sunday in Abuja. The agency said the suspects were arrested, and the warehouses linked to the drugs were “taken down”. The agency said further that substances suspected to be cocaine and methamphetamine in consignments were seized. It said the drugs could be worth more than N4.1 billion in street value. NDLEA arrests members of cocaine cartel operating between India, Nigeria The NDLEA spokesperson said the special…

Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise has verbally agreed to the personal terms offered by Chelsea, who are pushing to beat their rivals to the 22-year-old Frenchman’s signature. (Teamtalk) Chelsea are reportedly willing to offer two first team stars to Crystal Palace in exchange for Michael Olise. (Mail Sport) Crystal Palace have begun talks with Arsenal over a move for England Under-21 winger Reiss Nelson, with Fulham and West Ham also keen on the 24-year-old. (CaughtOffside) Manchester United have started internal talks about a move for Bayern Munich’s 24-year-old Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt, who the German club value at about 50m euros…