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Spurs have jumped ahead of Barcelona in the race to sign Orban as they prepare for life without Harry Kane, who is set to join German champions Bayern Munich.

Tottenham Hotspur have stepped up their efforts to sign highly-rated Nigerian youngster Gift Orban as a potential replacement for Harry Kane.

Tottenham are currently preparing for life without Kane, who has been linked all summer with a move to Bayern Munich.

Tottenham eye Orban as Kane edges closer to Bayern Munich
Kane is Bayern’s number one target and he is expected to join the club this summer. Although Bayern have had two bids turned down by Spurs, the Bavaria giants are expected to return with an improved offer to sign the English man, whose contract expires next summer.

Spurs are unlikely to reject Bayern’s third offer for Kane and have started making preparations to bring in a replacement.

The Lilywhites have identified Orban as a potential replacement and are ready to pay top dollar for his services.

According to Belgian football expert Sacha Tavolier, Spurs are currently in negotiations with Gent, Orban’s club, over a potential transfer.

The Lilywhites are reportedly ready to pay a fee in the region of €30M (including bonuses) to bring the Nigerian to London.

Orban also on Barcelona's radar
Orban’s profile has been on the rise since he joined Gent from Stabaek in January. The Nigerian youngster scored 19 goals and recorded two assists in 22 games for Gent despite only joining the club in January.

Tottenham are not the only club that have been linked with a move for Orban. Barcelona have also been linked in the past, but it appears they are set to miss out on the Nigerian.

Orban still has four years left on his contract with Gent.

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria

https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/gift-orban-tottenham-ahead-of-barcelona-in-the-race-to-sign-naira25b-nigerian-star-2023080906164222224

Napoli will have a real battle on their hands to keep Osimhen at the club this summer as Al-Hilal remain relentless in the pursuit of the Super Eagles striker

Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal are not giving up on their pursuit of Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen and have presented Napoli with a second offer for the Nigerian.

Al-Hilal make new Osimhen bid
Napoli already turned down a lucrative €140 million offer from Al-Hilal which would have seen Osimhen earn close to £1 million per week, but have reportedly been presented with a second tempting offer to part ways with their star forward.

According to Gazetta dello Sport, the new offer, if accepted, will see Osimhen earn a total of €200 million over the course of his stay in Saudi Arabia, although it is uncertain whether the contract will be for four or five years.

Napoli are yet to respond to Al-Hilal’s second offer for the striker, but they are unlikely to accept any terms that do not match their €200 million price tag for the Super Eagles forward.

Osimhen vital to Napoli
Osimhen has been a key part of the Napoli team since joining from Lille in 2021, and last season he propelled them to a historic Scudetto win.

The Nigerian forward scored a record 26 Serie A goals in 32 games to become both the highest-scoring African in a single league campaign and also the highest-scoring African of all time in the Italian top flight.

His goals helped end a 33-year wait for a Serie A title in Naples, as the Partenopei lifted the Scudetto for the first time since Diego Maradona left the club.

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria

https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/al-hilal-return-with-naira150billion-wage-offer-for-napolis-osimhen-2023080822591099925

At the current FIFA Women's World Cup tournament, the Super Falcons of Nigeria have set yet another record.

Despite England's star player being sent off in the second half, the team played a goalless draw against the Lioness.

Nigeria lost to England in a penalty shootout, sending them home from the FIFA Women's World Cup.

However, they still managed to set a record during the competition even though they were eliminated from the tournament.Nigeria’s new record
The Super Falcons have set different records as an African team in the ongoing Women's World Cup tournament.
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Nigeria became the first team in Africa to keep two clean sheets in the Women's World Cup tournament.

Asisat Oshoala also established a record by being the first African player to score in three straight World Cup tournaments.

And another record has been set by the Super Falcons as the first Nigerian team at any senior World Cup to be involved in a penalty shootout.

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria

https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/england-vs-nigeria-super-falcons-set-new-world-cup-record-despite-england-defeat-2023080713181287092

Bacary Cisse, PR manager for Sadio Mane, has made some startling revelations about the Senegalese’s time in Bayern Munich, accusing the Bavarians of discrimination

After a disappointing end to his Bayern Munich career, Senegalese sensation Sadio Mane’s PR manager has hit out at the Bavarian club with several unsettling claims.

Mane’s manager explains Bayern exit

Mane joined Bayern Munich after a fruitful spell at Liverpool and was expected to be one of the Bundesliga’s leading players in the 2022/23 season, but a number of factors including a three-month injury lay off and disciplinary issues meant that the Senegalese forward was never able to live up to the initial hype.

After just one season, Mane was sold to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, but his PR manager Bacary Cisse has neither forgiven nor forgotten the perceived ill treatment that he claims his client received.

Cisse told After Foot RMC that he believed that Mane was discriminated against by Bayern Munich due to his background and was sold because the Bavarians’ hierarchy did not want to keep an African player as one of their highest earners.

Cisse said, “It wasn't a footballing decision [to sell him]. Sadio's salary bothered the Germans, they didn't understand how an African joins the club and becomes the top earner ahead of everyone, so they wanted to get rid of him.

“They never called the player's representatives. They never told Sadio face-to-face that they wanted to get rid of him. They just sent [Thomas] Tuchel to tell him that he will be a third-choice left winger.

Mane’s agent slams ungrateful Bayern Munich
Cisse was also adamant that his client Mane did not need to justify his earnings at Bayern Munich saying, “Sadio has nothing to prove to the Germans. He didn't become what he's become thanks to Bayern. It was thanks to Liverpool. Bayern were ungrateful. They were paying an African all this money, and that hurt them.

“He was professional until the end. But the people in charge at Bayern weren't fair.”

After Mane’s move to Al-Nassr which will see him earn a sensational £33.8 million per year compared to his £17.3 million salary at Bayern Munich, Cisse also claimed that the Bundesliga side almost scuppered the deal by raising their demands for the winger when they realised he still had quality to offer.

He said “They first leaked to the media they were ready to sell him for €20m (£17.3m). But after he returned to training and they saw he was doing well, they raised the price to €30m (£25.9m).”

Despite his alleged treatment by the club, Cisse believes that Mane was always straightforward with Bayern Munich and never tried to use the club for their money.

“Sadio didn't steal his money, Cisse said, continuing, “From the first meeting with Bayern, he gave them his word that he would join, without talking about the salary. His representatives negotiated that salary for him.”

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria

https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/they-didnt-want-an-african-as-the-top-earner-manes-manager-makes-shock-bayern-munich-claims-2023080610410726759

Yakubu shines as Team Zinchenko and Team Shevchenko play a 2-2 draw in Game4Ukraine played at Stamford Bridge.
Some current and former footballers came together for a charity match labeled Game4Ukraine.

In the Game4Ukraine, Team Zinchenko recorded a 2-2 draw against Team Shevchenko at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Yakubu joined Lehmann, Sagna, Morgan, Riise, Clichy, Pires, Silva, Wilshere, and Noble in the Team Zinchenko XI

Team Shevchenko XI included Cech, Oddo, Cannavaro, Pique, Serginho, Seedorf, Makalele, Zola, Cole and Cameroon President Samuel Eto'o

Yakubu Aiyegbeni shines in Game 4 Ukraine
Super Eagles of Nigeria legend Yakubu Aiyebeni played well in the charity game.

The opening shot of the match is taken by Yakubu from the edge of the box.

Yakubu has been impressive, and in the 17th minute, he takes a strong drive from the edge of the box that Cech palms away.

Yakubu was very active and tested Cech once more in the 30th minute with a strong strike from a tight angle, however, the former Chelsea and Arsenal goalie is once again up to the task.

Yakubu, now retired, participates in several charity games around the world, especially for charity.

Team Zinchenko 2-2 Team Shevchenko
Pires sent in a low cross in the 38th minute Cech fell to the ground as former West Ham captain Noble scored.

Seedorf receives the ball close to the outside of the box in the 41st minute and then unleashed a strong shot into the top corner to equalize.

In the 54th minute, Darijo Srna receives the ball from Wilshere to score in the bottom corner.

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria

https://www.pulsesports.ng/sports-gist/story/game4ukraine-yakubu-shines-as-team-zinchenko-and-team-shevchenko-play-2-2-draw-2023080519393897369

Nigeria's Anthony Joshua will no longer fight Dillian Whyte in a rematch due to VADA adverse findings.

There is an update on the heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.

The rematch between British heavyweight stars Joshua and Whyte has now been confirmed to be canceled on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Just seven days before the event was scheduled to happen, Eddie Hearn declared that the bout is off following the update with a thorough investigation to follow.

The statement by Hearn read: "Today the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed Matchroom, the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control that Dillian Whyte had returned adverse analytical findings as part of a random anti-doping protocol.

"In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted. Further information on the event will follow."

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria

https://www.pulsesports.ng/boxing/story/anthony-joshua-vs-dillian-whyte-rematch-cancelled-due-to-adverse-vada-finding-2023080511490548422

Track legend Blessing Okagbare reminds Nigerians of her beauty with new photos.

Social media users have been salivating over the stunning snapshot of well-known Nigerian athlete Blessing Okagbare.

The selfie was taken by the 34-year-old Okagbare on Friday, August 4, 2023 for the trending on social media.

According to the photo that was found on her Twitter profile, fans were seen praising the famous Nigerian athlete for her beauty in the comment section.

Along with the photo on her official Instagram account was a message that said, "Friday's Special😋😋😋🤗🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 Blessed weekend Fam🙏🏽🙏🏽

From Yours Truly "Omamo Omo"

Blessing Okagbare a Nigerian legend
Okagbare has won medals at the Olympic and World Championships in the long jump and the 200 meters.

Okagbare also owns the record for the fastest time in the women's 100 meters at the Commonwealth Games, which is 10.85 seconds.

Nigeria's record in the 100-meter sprint belongs to Okagbare, who has held that position for seven years.

She won silver in the long jump competition at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

She failed a drug test given on July 19, 2021, and was subsequently suspended on July 31, 2021, with a positive finding for human growth hormone.

She is now serving an 11-year ban after repeatedly breaking World Athletics' anti-doping rules, and her ban will end on July 30, 2032.

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria

https://www.pulsesports.ng/sports-gist/story/blessing-okagbare-sprint-star-reminds-nigerians-of-her-beauty-2023080418203604693

Zambian Women's national team coach Bruce Mwape has been accused of inappropriately touching players at the Women's World Cup with FIFA set to investigate the matter

World football’s governing body FIFA have received reports about and are investigating Zambian Women’s national team coach Bruce Mwape, who has been accused a second time of sexually inappropriate behaviour towards his players.

Mwape accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour
Zambia were the only African team to exit the 2023 Women’s World Cup in the first round despite claiming a historic first-ever tournament win against Costa Rica.

The team faces further problems after some players accused head coach, Mwape, of inappropriate touching, leading to a FIFA investigation of the gaffer’s behaviour.

According to the Guardian’s sources, several Zambia Women’s teammates witnessed the coach rubbing his hands over the chest area of one of the players last Friday, with the informant quoted as saying, “It’s not appropriate for a coach to be touching a player’s breasts.”

The members of the team involved reportedly decided to wait until the end of the Copper Queens’ World Cup campaign and communicated their concerns to a FIFA delegate who accompanied the team throughout their short stay at the World Cup

It is the second such accusation against Mwape after the coach was referred to FIFA for investigation by Zambia’s FA in September 2022 following accusations against him and the former U17 national team coach Kaluba Kangwa.

On that occasion, Mwape was accused of using his position of power to gain sexual favours, with an unnamed player quoted by the Guardian as saying, “If he [Mwape] wants to sleep with someone, you have to say yes. It’s normal that the coach sleeps with the players in our team.”


Mwape has been under investigation by FIFA since then, with the FAZ opting for an independent review after being accused of shielding the national team coach by threatening whistleblowers.

Mwape under investigation for two alleged offences
Mwape was allowed to lead Zambia to the 2023 World Cup despite the initial accusations which are still under investigation by FIFA, but the governing body has stated that they are taking the probe into accusations against the gaffer seriously.

They released a statement saying, “FIFA takes any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously and has a clear process in place for anyone in football who wants to report an incident.


“We can confirm that a complaint has been received in relation to the Zambian women’s national team and this is currently being investigated. We cannot provide further details regarding an ongoing investigation for obvious confidentiality reasons.”

FIFA also noted that if Mwape is found guilty upon investigation, he could be driven out of the game permanently, saying, “Where guilt is established, FIFA takes the strongest possible sanctions, including removing people from the game for life. Our track record demonstrates this.”

Mwape continues to deny the accusations brought against him and described the complaints against him as “fake allegations”.

Ahead of Zambia’s World Cup campaign, the coach was asked about the pending investigations against him, and he replied, “It has taken about a year now. You are still talking about the same allegations. As far as I’m concerned they are fake allegations.”

Investigations will continue into the old and new allegations against Mwape with FIFA leading the efforts to get to the bottom of accusations brought against the Zambian head coach.

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria

https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/fifa-investigating-zambian-coach-accused-of-touching-players-breasts-at-the-womens-world-cup-2023080405120850695

The Premier League footballer was arrested last year after he was accused of assaulting three women in London
A Premier League footballer accused of and arrested for multiple rape assaults has been released under investigation.

The footballer (name withheld) was arrested last summer and taken into custody on suspicion of raping a woman.

In a matter of days, two more allegations against the player, first from 2021 and another in 2023, were levelled against the footballer.

On the rape allegation
He was invited by the Police who questioned him for the allegations.

Despite the charges against him, the footballer was allowed to represent his club throughout the 2022/2023 football season.


However, according to a report by Daily Mail, the footballer has been released after being told he has no specific date to report to the Police.

“ On 4 July 2022, an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s was reported to police. It was reported the alleged rape happened in June 2022. On 4 July 2022, a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape and taken into custody,” the Police stated in a report.

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria



https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/premier-league-star-reportedly-accused-of-raping-three-women-released-2023080410043695346

An unfortunate incident has claimed the life of a young footballer who dipped himself in water to cool down.
The football community in Costa Rica have been thrown into mourning after a footballer was reportedly killed by a crocodile.

The Mirror reported that the unfortunate incident happened in Rio Cañas, Costa Rica after the victim decided to cool off in the river.

To recover Jesus Alberto’s body, locals had to board a canoe and kill the crocodile before they could find remains of the footballer.

Jesus Alberto Lopez Ortiz, the 29-year-old victim before his unfortunate death, played for Deportivo Río Cañas in Costa Rica.

Tributes and Donations for Jesus Alberto
Tributes have continued to pour in for the footballer nicknamed "Chucho" who leaves behind two children aged eight and three.

Since the tragedy struck on July 29, Jesus Alberto’s family have urged the public to support them financially in bearing the cost of his funeral.

Luis Carlos Montes, team manager for Deportivo Río Cañas is also staging a fundraising event for the footballer’s family.

Deportivo Río Cañas FC issued a statement on Facebook soliciting support for their former player and provided a number that can be reached for donations.

The statement reads,

"Good morning, people of Rio Cañas, neighbours, we hereby inform you that a simple number has been enabled to be able to help the family of Jesus Lopez 'Chucho' for what unfortunate has happened today, who wishes to collaborate please make your help in the name of Luis Carlos Montes, also if your aid is physical, whether it is groceries or some other type of help, you can go leave it at the house of Don Daniel Serrano, Doña Tica will be receiving every help that comes out of her heart. Thank you so much in advance. God bless you."


South American nation Costa Rica is home to at least 245 species of reptiles. However, the Ministry of Environment and Energy classifies crocodiles as protected animals and frowns at the hunting or killing of such reptiles.

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria

https://www.pulsesports.ng/sports-gist/story/tragedy-as-crocodile-eats-footballer-who-went-swimming-2023080409440085168