Author: David Great

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire was booed by some fans as they beat Crystal Palace 3-1 in a pre-season friendly in Melbourne. Maguire has been confirmed as skipper for this season by new manager Erik ten Hag, who plans to partner the England international in central defence with £57m new signing Lisandro Martinez. However, some supporters in the 76,499 crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground made their feelings known during 10-man United’s victory. Ten Hag’s side have been enjoying huge backing in Australia, including a small number who have followed the team from the UK. Although it is difficult to…

The UK is set to see its hottest day on record, with temperatures on Tuesday expected to reach up to 42C (107.6F) as heatwave intensifies. A high of 38.1C was reached in Suffolk on Monday, just short of the UK record of 38.7C set in 2019. Wales recorded its hottest day on record with 37.1C. The Met Office has issued a red extreme heat warning covering much of central, northern, and south-east England. Provisional figures showed the UK experienced the warmest night on record from Monday into Tuesday. Temperatures did not fall below 25C in places, exceeding the previous highest…

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says 57.07 per cent of electricity consumers in the country were still on estimated billing as at September 2021. NERC disclosed the percentage using estimated billing on Tuesday in its Third Quarter Report 2021 obtained in Lagos from its website. The document showed that only Ikeja, Benin, Enugu and Port Harcourt electricity Distribution Companies had metered over 50 per cent of their customers as at the period while the other 50 per cent relied on estimated billing. The huge metering gap for end-use customers, according to NERC, remains a key challenge in the Nigerian…

The Senate, on Tuesday, suspended plenary proceedings over the recent death of lawmaker representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency in Edo State, Hon. Jude Idehen. Idehen, until his death, was a member of the House of Representatives under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Senate, upon resumption from its two-week recess, adjourned plenary till Wednesday, 20th July, to honour the deceased who passed on July 1, 2022, at the age of 52. The motion for the upper chamber to adjourn plenary in accordance with its tradition, was moved by the Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Ajayi Boroffice (APC,…

Tottenham have signed Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence in a deal worth up to £20m. The England Under-21 right-back spent last season on loan with Nottingham Forest, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League. Spence, 21, has signed a five-year deal that incudes an initial fee of £12.5m and £7.5m in add-ons. “I bring excitement, skill, speed. I just want to excite the fans and play well,” he said. Spence is Spurs manager Antonio Conte’s sixth signing of the summer, following goalkeeper Fraser Forster, defender Clement Lenglet, midfielder Yves Bissouma and forwards Ivan Perisic and Richarlison. Djed Spence, who joined…

The Delta State House of Assembly on Monday commenced legislative action on the review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Fifth Alteration Bill. To commence the process, the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori in Asaba led members and some management staff of the assembly on a two-day retreat to examine the bill ahead of deliberations on the floor of the House. In his opening remarks, Oborevwori said that the retreat was to set in motion the legislative process that would culminate to the resolution of the House towards the Fifth Alteration of the 1999 Constitution. “My honourable…

Chelsea have agreed personal terms and with 23-year-old France Jules Kounde and have offered 55m euros (£47m) to Sevilla. (Marca – in Spanish) Atletico Madrid have contacted Cristiano Ronaldo’s representatives over signing the Portugal forward, 37, from Manchester United. (AS – in Spanish) New Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says Ronaldo could stay at Old Trafford beyond the year he has left on his contract. (Guardian) Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag aims to tempt AC Milan to part with Ismael Bennacer, 24, and is prepared to offer Donny van de Beek as part of a swap deal for the Algeria midfielder, who is valued at 45m euros (£38m). (Calciomercato via Mirror) …

Osun state governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke, says some associates of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, worked for him during the just concluded governorship election. Adeleke made the clarification in an interview aired by Channels Television on Monday. Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party was declared winner after he secured 403,371 votes to defeat incumbent, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 375,027 votes. Weeks before the election, the cold was between Aregbesola and Oyetola reached a crescendo, causing many members of the party to dump the APC for PDP. Speaking on rumours that Aregbesola supported him…

Morocco will face South Africa in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after the hosts beat nine-woman Nigeria 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Atlas Lionesses goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmici denied Ifeoma Onumonu in the second round of the shootout, allowing Rosella Ayane to stroke in the winning kick. After having midfielder Halimatu Ayinde dismissed, Nigeria took the lead through an own goal from Yasmine Mrabet before Sanaa Mssoudy quickly equalised. The defending champions then had forward Rasheedat Ajibade sent off with 19 minutes left, and a resolute defensive display saw the match go the distance.…

Arsenal have agreed a £30m deal with Manchester City to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko, which includes £2m in add-ons. The midfielder, who has played many games at left-back for the Blues, is currently on a pre-season tour in the US with the Premier League champions. The Ukraine international, 25, is expected to fly back to England in the coming days to complete the move. Zinchenko was one of Pep Guardiola’s first signings as City coach in 2016. Arsenal to agree £30m for Zinchenko, Bayern reject Ronaldo He has gone on to win four league titles, an FA Cup and four League…