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Ime Okon: South Africa Will Recover from World Cup Loss to Mexico

Ime Okon: South Africa Will Recover from World Cup Loss to Mexico

South African national team defender Ime Okon has called for optimism and forward focus after Bafana Bafana’s opening match defeat against co-hosts Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match, held at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday, ended 2-0, with goals from Julian Quiñones and Raul Jimenez.

Okon acknowledged the difficulty of the contest but stressed the importance of not dwelling on the setback. ‘It was a hard game; we matched them at moments. We must stay positive and look ahead. This defeat is just one result; we are already concentrating on the next challenge,’ he told SportyTV after the fixture.

South Africa, under the guidance of coach Hugo Broos, will now prepare to face the Czech Republic in their second group game at Atlanta Stadium. The team is determined to bounce back and improve their performance in the tournament.

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Arsenal Intensify Tonali Pursuit; Man Utd Eye Robinson

Arsenal Intensify Tonali Pursuit; Man Utd Eye Robinson

Arsenal have ramped up their efforts to secure the signature of Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The Gunners’ boss, Mikel Arteta, views the Italian midfielder as crucial backup for a demanding season that could see his side contest approximately 60 matches once again.

With Newcastle failing to qualify for European competition, Tonali might seek an exit from St James’ Park this window to maintain his status at the highest level. The north London outfit faces stiff competition from Manchester United, who are also monitoring the player’s situation closely.

In another development, The Sun reports that Fulham’s Antonee Robinson has emerged as a target for Manchester United this summer. Red Devils manager Michael Carrick is eager to strengthen his left-back options, as Luke Shaw currently stands as the sole specialist in that role following Tyrell Malacia’s departure from Old Trafford.

While Lewis Hall remains on United’s radar, Robinson could represent a more economical solution for Carrick’s squad. The American international’s potential arrival would provide depth and competition in a position that has been a weak link for the club.

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Mikel Obi Backs Lamine Yamal for 2026 World Cup Golden Ball

Mikel Obi Backs Lamine Yamal for 2026 World Cup Golden Ball

Former Nigeria captain John Mikel Obi has thrown his weight behind Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal to claim the Golden Ball trophy at the 2026 World Cup. The Chelsea legend highlighted the Barcelona star’s electrifying displays and unshakable confidence as key reasons for his prediction.

According to Mikel, Yamal’s natural flair and maturity on the pitch set him apart from other contenders. “I’m siding with Lamine Yamal,” the ex-midfielder stated. “His skill set is incredible. Watching him take on defenders with such swagger is a treat. I believe he’ll shine again on the global stage.”

The 2026 tournament opened with co-hosts Mexico securing a 2-0 victory over South Africa. The competition spans over five weeks, culminating in the final on July 19. The Golden Ball, awarded to the tournament’s standout performer, remains a hot topic.

Big names like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, and Cristiano Ronaldo were initially tipped as front-runners, but Mikel’s unwavering belief in Yamal adds an intriguing twist. The Spanish winger, who dazzled at Euro 2024, is now poised to replicate that impact globally.

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Andre Onana Set for Permanent Trabzonspor Move; Prince Cisse Signs Liverpool Deal

Andre Onana Set for Permanent Trabzonspor Move; Prince Cisse Signs Liverpool Deal

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana appears poised to complete a permanent switch to Trabzonspor, according to the Turkish club’s president. Ertugrul Dogan confirmed that discussions have progressed positively and the financial terms have been agreed upon. Onana, who spent the previous season on loan with the Super Lig outfit, has returned to Old Trafford temporarily, but a long-term stay in Turkey seems imminent.

Dogan expressed confidence that the 27-year-old Cameroonian will remain with Trabzonspor, citing the player’s popularity among fans and the club’s ability to meet his salary demands. He suggested that Onana is unlikely to attract similar offers elsewhere, reinforcing the likelihood of a permanent transfer. The president’s remarks indicate that both parties are aligned, and an official announcement could be forthcoming.

In a separate development, Liverpool have secured the signature of Prince Cisse, son of former Reds forward Djibril Cisse, on a professional contract. The 17-year-old has been part of Liverpool’s youth setup since pre-Academy days and made a goalscoring debut for the U21s in the 2025-26 season under manager Rob Page. Interestingly, Cisse has transitioned from a forward to a centre-back in recent years, showcasing versatility in his development. The teenager has committed his future to the club, adding defensive depth to Liverpool’s academy ranks.

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Liverpool Announces Departure of Three Coaches After Slot’s Exit

Liverpool Announces Departure of Three Coaches After Slot's Exit

Liverpool has officially confirmed the departure of three members of their coaching staff. The exits come shortly after Arne Slot left his position as head coach last month.

The individuals leaving are Sipke Hulshoff, who served as first assistant coach and lead physical performance coach, Ruben Peeters, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Peeters joined Liverpool in the summer of 2024 as part of Slot’s new backroom team, while van Bronckhorst arrived last summer to serve as an assistant coach within Slot’s setup.

In a statement, the club expressed gratitude: “Everybody at LFC thanks Sipke, Ruben and Gio for all their efforts and contributions to the club and wishes them the best for the future.”

The reshuffle follows Slot’s announced departure last month, leading to these changes in the coaching staff.

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2026 World Cup: Thierry Henry Backs Senegal and Norway as Surprise Packages

2026 World Cup: Thierry Henry Backs Senegal and Norway as Surprise Packages

In a recent analysis on Fox Sports, Arsenal icon Thierry Henry identified Senegal and Norway as the two teams most likely to exceed expectations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The former France striker, who lifted the trophy with Les Bleus in 1998, shared his insights on the tournament’s dark horses.

Henry pointed out that Senegal and Norway, both drawn in Group I alongside France and Iraq, possess the quality to cause upsets. He remarked, “You have to consider Senegal and Norway; they are my two surprise contenders in this competition.”

The French legend acknowledged the challenge facing Iraq, suggesting that the group could see three teams advance. “I believe Norway, Senegal, and France will all progress,” Henry stated, emphasizing his excitement about the group’s dynamics.

Henry’s endorsement adds weight to the potential of these nations, with Senegal boasting a strong African pedigree and Norway featuring emerging talents. His World Cup-winning experience lends credibility to his predictions, making Senegal and Norway teams to watch in 2026.

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NPFL Orientation Workshop Set for Four Newly Promoted Clubs

NPFL Orientation Workshop Set for Four Newly Promoted Clubs

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has arranged a one-day orientation workshop for the four teams that earned promotion ahead of the 2026/27 season. The session is set to take place on Friday, June 26, 2026.

The newly promoted clubs are Sporting Lagos, Doma United, Ranchers Bees, and Inter Lagos. The workshop aims to ease their transition into the top tier of Nigerian football.

NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi stated that the initiative is designed to familiarize the clubs with the league’s operations. In his invitation to the teams, Owumi said: “We bring you compliments of the Board, Management and Staff of the Nigeria Premier Football League, and wish to congratulate you on your promotion to the elite football league in Nigeria. Consequently, the management of the NPFL wishes to invite you to an interactive orientation and induction seminar, to enable us educate and enlighten you on the demands and operational requirements of the NPFL.”

Each club is required to send two officials, at least at the level of Chairman and General Manager, to the workshop. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and get clarifications on any matters they find unclear.

The NPFL will provide documents detailing the league’s frameworks and rules, and will also walk the clubs through the implementation of Club Licensing Regulations. Key topics will include financial health for meeting personnel contracts, infrastructure, and administration.

This orientation is the first in a series of pre-season activities planned before the start of the 2026/27 campaign.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic Reveals His Second Team for World Cup 2026

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Reveals His Second Team for World Cup 2026

Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has publicly declared his support for Croatia in the upcoming World Cup 2026 tournament, in addition to his home country. The iconic forward shared his preference during a segment on Fox Sports, where he also expressed his admiration for Group L.

Group L features England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Ibrahimovic singled out Croatia as the team he will be cheering for, alongside Sweden. He commented that Ghana possesses significant talent and could surprise others, while he predicted Panama might struggle against stronger opponents like England and Croatia.

Ibrahimovic noted that while Panama could serve as a punching bag for the more established teams, Ghana has the potential to disrupt and steal points. His insights reflect his ongoing engagement with international football even after retirement.

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Solana price eyes January high as falling wedge shapes recovery

Solana price eyes January high as falling wedge shapes recovery

After tumbling 36% from its May peak near $96, Solana (SOL) has found its footing, climbing over 10% from a June low around $61. The cryptocurrency now trades near $67, with traders focusing on a giant falling wedge pattern that could propel it back toward its January high of about $145.

The wedge formed since January, compressing price through a series of lower highs and lower lows. Such patterns often precede bullish reversals when the asset stabilizes near the lower boundary. SOL recently bounced from the $60–$62 zone, where buyers absorbed selling pressure after heavy liquidations. Over $89 million in long positions were wiped out when SOL broke below the $76 support level, as retail traders had positioned too bullishly entering June.

Whale activity added to the downdraft, with large holders reducing exposure. Weaker decentralized application revenues and softening network activity also contributed to the sell-off, according to market watchers. Nonetheless, the daily RSI has climbed out of oversold territory, and the MACD shows easing downside momentum after weeks of selling.

Resistance now stands near $76, which flipped from support to resistance earlier this month. A successful break above that level would turn attention to the wedge’s upper boundary and eventually the January peak. On the 4-hour chart, an ascending triangle has formed below $68, with buyers defending higher lows while sellers cap advances. Liquidation data from CoinGlass reveals heavy short-side liquidity clustered near $68, meaning a breakout could trigger short squeezes that propel SOL toward $70 and potentially $76.

Nevertheless, analysts urge caution. MCO Global noted on social media that SOL remains in a support test phase until it shows a five-wave advance and breaks above $72.57. Without that confirmation, the larger downtrend still dominates. Bitcoin’s recent weakness, including its steepest weekly drop since the FTX collapse, continues to weigh on altcoins. Additionally, stronger-than-expected U.S. nonfarm payrolls data—172,000 jobs added versus the 85,000 forecast—have dampened hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts, pressuring risk assets.

For now, Solana’s fate hinges on the $68 resistance. A breakout could initiate a move toward $76 and beyond, while failure may leave the $60 support exposed again. Traders are watching closely as the wedge pattern unfolds.

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Bybit Earns Spot on Fortune Crypto 100 as It Pursues New Finance Vision

Bybit Earns Spot on Fortune Crypto 100 as It Pursues New Finance Vision

Bybit has secured a position on the inaugural Fortune Crypto 100 list, a prestigious ranking that highlights the most impactful companies and protocols in the global digital asset ecosystem. This recognition underscores Bybit’s significant role in advancing digital asset infrastructure and innovation. The exchange was acknowledged in the CeFi category, which includes crypto-native firms like exchanges, lenders, and custodians that enable the trading, custody, and movement of digital assets. The Fortune Crypto 100 brings together both crypto pioneers and traditional financial institutions, reflecting the growing integration of digital assets into mainstream finance and the rising importance of blockchain-based infrastructure in capital markets.

Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit, stated that this honor reflects the trust users have placed in the platform and the team’s commitment to building the essential infrastructure, products, and standards for the crypto industry. Bybit is expanding its scope beyond just a cryptocurrency exchange, advancing its vision of becoming “The New Financial Platform.” Over the past year, the company has been creating a unified ecosystem that combines digital assets, traditional finance, payments, tokenized investments, AI-driven tools, and web3 services. Bybit has also strengthened its regulatory presence across key markets, including obtaining the UAE Virtual Asset Platform Operator License, progressing its European operations under MiCAR, and collaborating with global regulators and policymakers to foster responsible growth of the digital asset sector. Serving over 80 million users worldwide, Bybit continues to enhance financial access through innovation, such as expanding tokenized asset offerings, launching Bybit IPO Express, introducing xStocks for tokenized equities, developing AI-powered trading and research tools, and investing in institutional-grade infrastructure.