Author: Gabby

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has explained why he chose not to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo during their 2026 World Cup opener against DR Congo, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Houston. Despite widespread criticism of Ronaldo’s performance, Martinez insisted that keeping the veteran striker on the pitch was the logical choice for a team chasing a goal.

Martinez described Ronaldo as “the best goalscorer in history” and argued that removing him would have been counterproductive. “It made no sense at all to take off a player of his caliber when we were desperately searching for a goal,” Martinez stated. The coach’s comments come after fans and analysts questioned Ronaldo’s impact, with many suggesting the 41-year-old is no longer at his peak.

Ronaldo, who now plays for Al Nassr, failed to find the net as Portugal had to settle for a point. The draw puts pressure on the team ahead of their next match against Uzbekistan, where Ronaldo will be eager to prove his detractors wrong and rediscover his scoring touch.

The specifics of Real Madrid’s agreement with Ibrahima Konaté have come to light. The French defender officially left Liverpool to join the Spanish powerhouse on Thursday.

Real Madrid confirmed via an official announcement that an accord was reached with the centre-back, marking his arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu. The 2024/25 Champions League winner has committed to a four-year contract, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2030.

This acquisition follows the recent signing of Marc Cucurella from Chelsea, as Real Madrid aims to strengthen their squad under the guidance of new manager José Mourinho ahead of the upcoming season. Konaté’s arrival is expected to provide significant depth to the defensive line.

The Nationwide League One (NLO) has issued an urgent call to all clubs, stressing the importance of adhering to registration protocols for the Division Two U-19 Youth League. A final deadline of June 30, 2026, has been firmly established, and any club failing to meet this date will face exclusion from the upcoming season’s fixtures.

The league organizers are intensifying preparations for the 2026 campaign and require strict compliance with all outlined directives. Clubs must ensure that both payment and player registration are completed via the official NLO portal before the specified cutoff.

Furthermore, each club is obligated to affiliate with its respective state football association and settle the annual registration fee as set by the NLO Board. Failure to make this payment will be interpreted as a withdrawal from league participation. As part of the verification process, clubs must submit proof of payment—such as bank tellers or transfer receipts—to the NLO accounts department for confirmation.

The NLO U-19 Youth League is slated to commence on July 24, 2026. All clubs are urged to act promptly to secure their place in the competition.

Nasarawa United’s technical adviser, Mbwas Mangut, has expressed pride in his squad’s efforts following their departure from the President Federation Cup. The Solid Miners fell 4-2 to Ikorodu City in Benin City on Wednesday after the match ended 1-1 in regular time.

Mangut acknowledged that his team had numerous opportunities to score but were unable to convert them. “We leave the President Federation Cup with our heads held high,” Mangut stated after the contest. “The players gave their all. We didn’t truly lose this match; the penalty shootout simply didn’t go our way today. Rest assured, we will return next season stronger and more prepared.”

Marc Cucurella has shared insights into the conversation that sealed his transfer to Real Madrid, revealing that a phone call from Jose Mourinho eliminated any hesitation. The defender, who completed a £52 million switch from Chelsea, admitted that the opportunity to join the Spanish giants was too significant to pass up.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper El Mundo, Cucurella stated, ‘When Madrid came calling, I didn’t hesitate. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Playing for Real Madrid is an honor that few experience, so I had no second thoughts.’

He elaborated on his discussion with Mourinho, saying, ‘He expressed a strong desire to work with me, assured me that I would fit in perfectly, and emphasized that Madrid is an exceptional club. I’m eagerly anticipating collaborating with him.’

Cucurella is among several high-profile acquisitions already secured by Real Madrid this summer, including Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konate, with Denzel Dumfries expected to follow shortly.

King Osanga, captain of Nasarawa United, expressed his deep disappointment following the team’s elimination from the President Federation Cup. The Solid Miners were edged out by Ikorodu City on penalties in the semifinal clash held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Wednesday.

After a tense 90 minutes, the scoreline stood at 1-1, forcing the match to be decided from the spot. Ikorodu City proved more clinical, winning 4-2 in the shootout. Ayoola Ibrahim broke the deadlock for Ikorodu City in the 11th minute, but Bright Amadi restored parity for Nasarawa United just four minutes before halftime.

Osanga could not mask his frustration after the defeat. “This is truly heartbreaking, no question about it. Our goal was to bring a trophy back for our loyal supporters and fans, but fate had other plans,” he told the club’s media team. “We have grown, we have competed with the best, and we have built something special here. Everyone is hurting, but we must move past this pain and focus on rebuilding for next season.”

Idah Azonsou, the head coach of Benin’s U-17 women’s national team, has expressed strong belief that his squad can overcome Nigeria’s Flamingos to qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Despite acknowledging Nigeria’s dominance in women’s football, Azonsou is optimistic about his team’s chances.

The Young Amazons kicked off their preparations for the crucial two-legged tie on Monday at the Missérété Excellence Centre. Training sessions will continue this weekend in Lome as the team ramps up for the encounter.

Azonsou stated, “We recognize that Nigeria is a powerhouse in women’s football and has a strong track record at this level. That’s why we are putting in maximum effort to face them and, with any luck, achieve a historic qualification for the U-17 World Cup.”

The first leg is scheduled for Saturday, 4 July, at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Nigeria. The return match will take place a week later in Kegue, Benin.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria, reigning African champions, have held onto their 36th position in the most recent FIFA women’s world rankings, according to reports. Under the guidance of coach Justine Madugu, the team also keeps its status as the top-ranked squad on the African continent.

Impressive Friendly Results – Earlier this month, the Nigerian women’s team played two international friendlies against Senegal. They secured a 2-1 victory in the first match, with standout performances from Asisat Oshoala and Toni Payne finding the net. The second friendly saw an even more dominant display, as the Falcons triumphed 3-0, thanks to a brace from Joy Omewa and another goal from Oshoala.

Top Five in Africa – The leading teams on the continent also include South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, and Zambia, who round out the top five positions. The Nigerian side remains ahead of these rivals in the rankings.

Next Update Scheduled – The subsequent FIFA women’s world rankings are expected to be published on October 20, 2026, where the Super Falcons will aim to climb higher.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has added Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez to his list of potential targets, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Portuguese coach, who recently secured Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, is keen to strengthen his midfield for his second stint at the Bernabeu.

Romano reported on X that Fernandez is among four midfielders being monitored by Real Madrid. However, he noted that a final decision is pending, dependent on potential departures from the club. Nico Paz might remain at Como, while Dani Ceballos is expected to leave, with more movements anticipated.

There have been no direct club-to-club discussions with Chelsea as of now, Romano added. Mourinho has already made his first signing from his former club, bringing in Cucurella, but he is determined to further bolster the squad.