Dearest readers,
This past week, the sporting world delivered yet another series of excitement and drama from fields, tracks, and courts. So, let’s dive in
The Premier League revealed the fixtures and schedule for the 2025/26 season, with the curtain raiser to be held at Anfield, where Champions Liverpool will take on Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons’ 24-woman squad list for the WAFCON 2024, slated for July 5- 26, was released with three home-based players, Usani Miracle, Sikiratu Isah, and Racheal Unachukwu, making the list. However, the Super Falcons’ international friendly game against Portugal ended in a goalless draw.
On the home front, the Nigeria National League announced Delta State as host for the NNL Super 8 from July 5- 12. The eight teams involved are Warri Wolves, Osun United, Crown FC, Kun Khalifa FC, Wikki Tourist, Yobe Desert Stars, Doma United, and Barau FC. The top four will be promoted to the NPFL for the 2025/26 season.
In the world of unlimited sports, starting with flag football. Nigeria’s women’s and men’s teams in the IFAF Africa Flag 2025 championship were crowned champions after taking down Morocco and Egypt, respectively, in the finals.
Elsewhere, the Stallions of Nigeria wrapped up their 2025 Africa Men’s Sevens campaign on a high with a hard-fought 19–12 win against Ghana, securing a 7th-place finish in the continental tournament. After a tough start against South Africa, the team bounced back with a strong win over Burkina Faso and pushed hard in close contests against Zambia and Kenya. Their final performance showed determination, growth, and progress on the African rugby stage.
In athletics, Favour Ashe competed at the International Meet in Anhalt, Germany, and improved on his 100m Season’s Best from the heats, finishing 3rd in the 100m final A with an SB of 10.08s (+0.3). Canada’s Jerome Blake won the final, running a new Meet Record of 9.97s, while South Africa’s Tsebo Matsoso ran a new Personal Best of 10.03s. Nigeria’s Folawiyo Olaoye was also in that race, running a new PB of 10.21s to finish 6th.
At the Paris Diamond League, Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan ran her second-fastest time in history and the third-fastest time in all conditions to finish 2nd in the women’s 100m Hurdles, clocking a time of 12.24s. Tobi narrowly finished 2nd behind Grace Stark, who ran a Meeting Record and Personal Best of 12.21s to win the race. Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent finished 3rd in the race at 12.30s.
In Ontario, Usheoritse Itsekiri 🇳🇬 ran a Season’s Best (SB) of 10.07s (1.5) in the men’s 100m, finishing 3rd at the Bog Vigars Classic in Ontario. That makes him the 3rd fastest Nigerian man so far this year. Marcellus Moore won the race in a new PB of 9.96s, from Eliezer Adjibi in 10.02s.
In what was a stunning story to the world, especially, the Nigerian sports fraternity, it is alleged that Favour Ofili began the process of switching allegiance to Turkey on May 31; according to her, she’s not doing so for financial gains, but as a result of frustration encountered with the Nigerian Athletics Federation.
On the court, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), organisers of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, announced a slight adjustment to the schedule of the 2025 edition of the premier women’s basketball championship. The Atlantic Conference now holds July 21–29, 2025, in Benin City, Edo State, and the Savannah Conference July 28–August 5, 2025, in Abuja, FCT
Phase 2 of the zonal playoffs will take place August 24–September 1, 2025, in Ilorin, Kwara State( Atlantic), and Jos, Plateau State(Savannah). The details for the National Final 8, scheduled to be held in Lagos, will be announced in due course.
In Tennis, Carlos Alcaraz edged Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-7, 6-2 to win his second Queens Club title.
In MotoGP, Marc Marquez, who secured a record-breaking 100th pole position, won the Italian Grand Prix to extend his lead at the top of the riders’ standings.
In the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder won their first-ever NBA championship. They defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who capped off his season with 29 points and 12 assists, was named MVP. OKC also became the seventh different NBA champion in seven seasons and the youngest team to win a title in nearly 50 years.
