IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Thomas Tuchel spoke like a man who knew the best night of his England reign was coming from the moment he landed in Belgrade. The German heard questions about his methods after the dire World Cup qualifier win against Andorra on Saturday - a fourth successive competitive victory, but one that ended with thousands of supporters at Villa Park voting with their feet long before the end.

"I see what I see. I feel what I feel. I am convinced we will improve, then get better and better," said Tuchel before England's qualifier against Serbia. He echoed that message as he basked in the elation of Tuesday night's 5-0 triumph. Tuchel's side delivered on that promise - and then some - with a masterclass that swept Serbia aside in their own Belgrade fortress, the predicted hostile crowd silenced from virtually the first whistle by a performance of total domination.

And, on what was the perfect night for Tuchel, he not only got the emphatic victory that puts England only five points away from World Cup qualification with three games left, he left Belgrade with the most pleasant of selection headaches to resolve. England finally showed attacking flair, doing it without Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka - regarded as certain starters by most observers. Chelsea forward Cole Palmer was also missing, as was Phil Foden, hoping to rebuild his international career through his Manchester City performances.

In their absence, Noni Madueke excelled with a goal and a fine individual display. He has now made five goal contributions in nine England appearances. Elliott Anderson built on the good impression he made on his debut against Andorra, while Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers was an increasing influence, looking at home at this elite level. Bellingham is always regarded the natural for England's number 10 position, but Rogers staked his claim and showed Tuchel he has alternatives should he want to utilise them. 

Former Leicester striker Jamie Vardy said "age is just a number" as he opens a new chapter of his career with Italian side Cremonese. The 38-year-old, who is regarded among Leicester's greatest players, left the club at the end of last season, calling time on a 13-year spell at the club where he scored 200 goals in 500 appearances.

He notched 24 of those in their Premier League title-winning 2015-16 season. Vardy signed for newly-promoted Serie A side Cremonese on a free transfer earlier this month and he could make his debut for the northern Italian side on Monday, against Verona. Asked if he, and other veterans such as Kevin de Bruyne and Luka Modric who have also moved to Serie A this summer, are still motivated to perform at the highest level, he replied: "You must be one of the doubters. You're one that I'll have to prove wrong.

"For me age is just a number. As long as my legs are doing exactly what they used to and still feel as fresh as they do then I will carry on. "At the moment there are no signs of them slowing down so I'll keep going and I will be giving my all for this club. "I will learn Italian, but [for now] it is not a problem: football has its own language, with the ball," he said. Cremonese have enjoyed an impressive start to the season, opening their campaign with a surprise 2-1 win over AC Milan before beating Sassuolo 3-2.

"The main task is making sure we stay in the league, and that's how it was when I was at Leicester," Vardy said. "It was never any, 'we are going to go for this', it was always, 'we need to stay in the league', that's the main thing. So all you do, you go out, you take each game one-by-one, give your all, what will be will be." 

The city of Asaba came alive on Friday as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, officially declared open the 9th National Youth Games, with athletes from 33 states and the FCT Abuja set for ten days of thrilling competition, Jazzy News can exclusively report.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sports as a tool for unity, empowerment, and global competitiveness, President Tinubu said the Games remain a breeding ground for future champions.

“From these young athletes, future national and international stars will emerge. Our government is committed to nurturing them with the right structures, facilities, and policies. Sports is not just recreation; it is a unifying force and a driver of national pride,” the President said.

The opening ceremony was a spectacle of color and culture, with a vibrant parade of athletes lighting up the Stephen Keshi Stadium. Nigerian music star Victor AD set the crowd buzzing with an electrifying performance that got fans on their feet.

Welcoming the participants, Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by Speaker of the State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, hailed the Games as a symbol of unity through healthy rivalry.

“The National Youth Games have produced stars now flying Nigeria’s flag globally. Delta is proud to host again, and we are ready to give athletes a safe, competitive, and memorable experience,” he said.

Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, urged the athletes to embrace fair play and give their best.

“This is where greatness begins. Compete with heart because you carry the hope of your states and the pride of Nigeria,” he charged, vowing that no raw talent will be left undiscovered.

The ceremony also featured the traditional athletes’ and officials’ oath-taking, led by Obiagu Faith and Comrade Obioha George respectively.

Over the next ten days, 37 sports will be contested as Delta—the defending champion of all eight previous editions—hunts for a record ninth straight title.

Asaba is now set for a festival of youthful energy, raw talent, and national pride, with the National Youth Games once again proving that sports is Nigeria’s greatest unifier.

After Chelsea's star man Cole Palmer was ruled out in the warm-up of the Premier League encounter at West Ham, teenage sensation Estevao Willian stepped up to show why Blues fans have been so excited about his arrival.

The 18-year-old replaced England international Palmer for his first Premier League start, but gave the ball away with a flick for Lucas Paqueta's stunning sixth-minute opener for the hosts. Yet that didn't faze the Brazilian forward as he proved why Chelsea were willing to pay £29m to bring him to Stamford Bridge, most notably with his first-half assist for Enzo Fernandez as the Fifa Club World Cup winners eventually cruised to a 5-1 victory.

That smart run and pull-back for Fernandez's close-range finish made Estevao, at the age of 18 years and 120 days, the youngest Chelsea player to assist a goal in the Premier League. "He needs to adapt, he needs to make many mistakes to understand how the Premier League is different to Brazil," Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca told BBC Sport.

"We conceded after he did the flick. He needs to understand, but he is a fantastic player." 

This season is set to be the most important in Mikel Arteta's five and a half years in charge of Arsenal. They have revamped their squad with £190m worth of signings as they look to win the Premier League for the first time in 21 years.

The Gunners have finished second for the past three seasons in a row but have now made a big push over the summer to end that drought.

Arsenal have added two important cogs to the spine of their team with the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi and striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Arsenal - who begin their campaign away to Manchester United on Sunday (kick-off 16:30 BST) - believe they are now ready to win the league this season. 

D’Tigress secured their fifth straight FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title with a 78–64 win over Mali, extending their unbeaten run to 29 games since 2015.

With seven titles, Nigeria now ranks second behind Senegal (11 titles) in the tournament’s history. 

Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, has congratulated Nigeria’s women basketball team, D’Tigress, for their outstanding triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Abidjan. The commissioner praised the team for their commitment, resilience, and unity in securing yet another continental title for Nigeria.

Hon. Onyeocha expressed excitement over the team’s success, noting that their victory came just a week after the Super Falcons also made the nation proud by winning the 2024 WAFCON in Morocco. He described the back-to-back international feats as a golden moment for Nigerian sports and a major source of national pride.

He further applauded the contribution of Imo-born players Sarah Ogoke and Promise Amukamara, who were part of the D’Tigress squad. Onyeocha said their inclusion made the state proud, and revealed that the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, along with all Imolites, are thrilled by their achievement and will continue to support the growth of sports across all levels. 

In a thrilling display of appreciation for sporting excellence, the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, has rolled out a heroic reception for eight indomitable Super Falcons players and officials from the state, rewarding them with ₦30 million each and a plot of land in Owerri. 

The celebratory gesture follows the Falcons’ sensational run at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where Nigeria clinched the continental title in dominant fashion.

The honourees include top-performing stars: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi, Osinachi Ohale, Chiwendu Ihezuo, Jennifer Echegini, Michelle Alozie, assistant coach Ann Chiejine, and former Super Falcons captain Desire Oparanozie — all hailing from Imo State.

Speaking during a grand ceremony held at the Government House in Owerri, Governor Uzodimma hailed the players for flying both the Nigerian and Imo State flags high on African soil.

“We are gathered here to celebrate our national pride,” the Governor said. “When the history books are written, it will be recorded that the core of that victorious team came from Imo State. This is more than just a trophy — it’s about legacy, pride, and results.”

Governor Uzodimma emphasized that his administration is results-driven and committed to promoting excellence, particularly among women in sports. He further declared that the players will now serve as ambassadors for the state, setting the pace for upcoming talents.

“These girls deserve to be promoted because of this achievement. I’m not a sycophant or a mediocre — I pursue results. We want more of our girls in national camps bringing more trophies to Nigeria,” he said.

In a move reflecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s precedent of rewarding sports heroes, the Governor announced the state’s reward package — ₦30 million in cash and a choice plot of land in the Imo State capital for each athlete and official.

Earlier, the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Obinna Onyeocha, highlighted the role of the state’s long-term investment in sports development.

“Your Excellency, I present to you our girls who went to Morocco and conquered every other African nation. Their triumph is proof that your investment in grassroots sports has paid off.”

The atmosphere was charged with pride and celebration as the athletes were individually presented and honored before a cheering audience of dignitaries, family members, and sports enthusiasts.

This victory marks a historic milestone for Imo State in women’s football and sets a new standard for state-level support for national athletes. As Nigeria continues to dominate women’s football in Africa, the contributions of these Imo-born champions will long be remembered.

Kun Khalifat FC President/CEO, Mr Michael Chukwudi Amaefule, has expressed the team’s readiness for the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League, (NPFL) season.

The Pride of Imo State will kick off their first ever NPFL campaign against Enugu Rangers away from home as the new season will commence on August 22, 2025.

"We are optimistic about this new season, our maiden one, as we take on Enugu Rangers in our first game,” Amaefule told the club’s media after the fixtures unveiling.

"The technical crew and players are working hard, and we believe we can build on the momentum from last season in the NNL to achieve even greater success in the NPFL. The club's mentality is centred around achieving dreams with humger, clarity of purpose, and fearless ambition that will set us apart from our opponents”, he further stated.

"We are well prepared for this historic milestone, and we charge our teeming fans across the globe to give us even stronger support as we thank them for their outpour of love and solidarity," he concluded.

Overall, Kun Khalifat FC seems poised to make a mark in the NPFL, driven by their strong tram dynamics, effective leadership, and bold mentality. Their performance will be closely watched as they take on the best teams in Nigerian football.

By Ndukaihe Macharles U, Owerri, Imo State. 

Okeoshishi FC of Oguta has etched their name in history by clinching the inaugural Imo State U13 Football Championship title, following a thrilling 1–0 victory over Captain Marvel FC of Owerri in a fiercely contested final at the Main Bowl of the Township Stadium, Owerri.

From the onset, Okeoshishi FC showcased attacking intent and tactical discipline, pinning their Owerri-based opponents deep into their own half with wave after wave of pressure. Despite a resilient defensive display by Captain Marvel FC, the deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute when Okeoshishi captain Chidubem Okoye capitalized on a clever through pass from teammate Chisom  Ndumuanya clinically finishing past the goalkeeper to send the Oguta fans into wild celebration.

Okoye nearly doubled the lead six minutes later with a dazzling solo run that saw him glide past three defenders, only to be denied by the Owerri side’s goalkeeper in a heroic save.

With the final whistle, Okeoshishi FC were crowned the first-ever champions of the Imo State U13 Football Tournament, a competition that kicked off three weeks ago with over 50 teams representing various communities across the state.

The final match drew a large crowd, including former international stars, dignitaries, and sports stakeholders. Among the notable attendees was former African Footballer of the Year and Heartland FC coach, Emmanuel Amunike, who praised the quality of football displayed by both teams, stating, “This tournament has opened a new window of opportunities for these young talents. The level of skill and discipline shown today is commendable.”

Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, commended both finalists for their spirited performances, while also acknowledging the efforts of grassroots sports investors. He gave special recognition to Ogbuagu Ifeanyi Ogbonna, sponsor of Okeoshishi FC, for his unwavering support and investment in youth football development across Oguta LGA.

The tournament finale also featured the presentation of individual awards and cash prizes, courtesy of the tournament organizers, as the event moves into its next phase focused on talent grooming and development.

Dignitaries in attendance included Hon. Chisom Ojukwu of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Pastor Chris Mbaeri, Executive Chairman of Orlu LGA, representatives from the NDDC, former Ex-Iwuanyanwu FC player Mr. Isaac Mbika, Barr. Ifeanyi Dike, Chairman of the Imo State Football Association, Coach Nicholas Ukadike, Mr. Fred, and other stakeholders in the state’s football ecosystem.

With this victory, Okeoshishi FC not only lifts the historic title but also cements its place as a rising powerhouse in grassroots football in Imo State.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have arrived in Abuja after winning their 10th WAFCON title, and will hold a trophy parade across key districts in the capital.

They will also be hosted by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa later today. 

Manchester City are set to re-sign English goalkeeper James Trafford for £27m, two years after he left to join Burnley. The 22-year-old City academy graduate signed for the Clarets in July 2023 in deal worth up to £19m with add-ons.

He impressed last season as Scott Parker's side won promotion back to the Premier League, keeping 29 clean sheets across 45 Championship games, and was named in the division team of the year.

City had a buy-back clause for Trafford but also matching rights, allowing them to match any offer from another club. They have done so following a £27m bid from Newcastle and Trafford has opted for a return to Manchester.

The England Under-21 international is expected to sign a five-year contract at Etihad Stadium with the option for another year. 

President Bola Tinubu has approved full allowances and bonuses for the Super Falcons ahead of their WAFCON final against Morocco.

National Sports Commission Chairman, Shehu Dikko, confirmed all entitlements have been disbursed, with similar support promised for D’Tigress ahead of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket. 

WAFCON 2024: Nigeria’s Super Falcons to play South Africa in mouthwatering semi-final

South Africa are into the semi-final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Their reward? A date with rivals Nigeria at the Stade Larbi Zaouli, Casablanca, Morocco. 

The Banyana Banyana fought hard to beat Senegal 4-1 on penalties after normal, and extra time ended barren in Saturday’s quarter-final match up. Nigeria had a day earlier crushed Zambia’s Copper Queens 5-0, extending their unbeaten record in the tournament. 

With the last eight games done, attention now shifts to the semi-final, and Nigeria and South Africa headline the fixtures for the semi-final. The last time both sides met was at the 2022 edition, also in Morocco. Then, the South Africans got the better of the 2018 champions, courtesy of a 1-2 win. That victory came three years after the Banyana Banyana’s heartbreaking loss to Nigeria in the WAFCON final. 

The Super Falcons go into Tuesday’s game, riding on the heels of an impressive outing in Morocco. They have scored eight goals and are yet to concede in four matches so far, a testament to their impregnable defensive work.

The other semi-final game at the WAFCON will see Ghana’s Black Queens take on hosts Morocco. That match will be on the same day that Nigeria will play South Africa. 

...To Represent Imo in Nationwide National Play Off

The 2025 Imo State Football League has successfully ended on a good note with Okpotemba FC of Ihitte/Uboma emerging winners. 

Apart from defeating Heartland U-19 Feeders 6-5 through penalties after regular time of score draw for both sides, Okpotemba will represent the State and take Imo to the national competition playoff for the Nationwide League. 

To reach the finals, both teams topped their groups before the final played on Saturday, July 18th, 2025, at the practice pitch of Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri. 

Speaking at the event, the result-producing Imo FA Chairman, Barr Ifeanyi Dike disclosed that the state FA is turbo charged to organize competitions aimed at not just getting teams engaged in regular football activities but also provide avenue for harnessing of budding talents abound in Imo. 

While extending congratulations to the participants, especially the winners, Barr Dike, who is still basking in the euphoria of the promotion ticket of Imo State based Kun Khalifat FC from the NNL to NPFL, informed that the state FA is out to assist willing teams from the state reach greater heights both local and national soccer engagements. 

He was full of praises for the FA Board Members and secretariat for a perfect conduct of the just concluded Imo FA League where all participants are proud they took part in.

Barr Dike further revealed of better bumper packages Imo FA have in stock for teams and stakeholders in the state. He enjoined football lovers to continue to have confidence in Imo FA as beacon of hope for football development in the state. 

Arsenal have signed Noni Madueke from Chelsea for £52m, handing him the No. 20 shirt. The 23-year-old winger signed a five-year deal and becomes the Gunners’ fourth summer signing. Madueke, who has seven England caps, said he hopes to help Arsenal win all competitions this season.

The curtain comes down on the first edition of FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup when reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain face Chelsea in Sunday’s final at the MetLife Stadium, with Donald Trump among those set to be in attendance.

It is the kind of glamour match-up that FIFA president Gianni Infantino would have been hoping for to wrap up the tournament, which on Saturday he labelled as marking the start of “the golden era of club football”. Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca acknowledged ahead of the game that PSG are “probably in this moment the best team in the world”, and the French side are hoping to cap off the most remarkable of seasons by completing a stunning clean sweep of trophies.

PSG won a French league and cup double before claiming the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history with a record-breaking 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final at the end of May. Luis Enrique’s side have carried that form over into the Club World Cup, putting four goals past Atletico Madrid in the group stage and four more past Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami before defeating Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

They then produced a masterclass in a 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid in the semi-finals on Wednesday. “It has been a fantastic season and for us it is very important that we end it in the best possible manner,” Luis Enrique said as he spoke to reporters on Friday. It would be a shock if Chelsea claimed the trophy against a PSG side led by Ballon d’Or candidate Ousmane Dembele.

However, the Stamford Bridge side came to the United States fresh from finishing fourth in the Premier League and winning the UEFA Conference League. “They are one of the hottest teams in the world at the moment, but this is the final, a one-off game,” said Chelsea’s Reece James. “Everyone has them down as strong favourites, but I have been in many finals before where we have been favourites and we have not come out on top. “That doesn’t mean too much to me, and I don’t really care that everyone is bigging up the opposition.”

Chelsea were hoping that midfield lynchpin Moises Caicedo would recover in time from a twisted ankle picked up in the semi-final victory over Fluminense on Tuesday. The match will be played at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop. The home of NFL sides the New York Giants and New York Jets will also be the venue for the 2026 World Cup final.

It goes ahead at 3:00 pm local time (1900 GMT) amid ongoing concerns about the impact of high temperatures during the tournament, with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez warning on Friday that playing in the middle of the afternoon was “very dangerous”. 

Team Nigeria has officially released its squad list ahead of the highly anticipated 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championship set to take place in Abeokuta, Ogun State from July 16–20. A total of 96 athletes will don the green-and-white colours across both categories. The U18 girls’ team will feature 18 athletes, while 24 female athletes will compete in the U20 women’s division. The U20 men’s team leads the pack in numbers with 30 athletes, while 24 athletes will fly Nigeria’s flag in the U18 boys' events.

The team is supported by a strong technical and backroom unit, including 22 coaches, 8 medical personnel, and 8 additional staff comprising a team psychologist, physiotherapists, team secretary, media personnel, and logistics coordinators. As part of final preparations, Nigeria’s sprint relay team of Lucy Nwankwo, Success Oyibu, Anita Itohan, and Chika Bakwunye joined forces at the recent AFN/Dynamic Athletics Meet, using the opportunity to sharpen their baton exchanges and race coordination ahead of the continental championship.

Speaking ahead of the event, officials noted that all athletes have undergone rigorous training camps and performance assessments, with the goal of maintaining Nigeria’s dominance on the continental stage. With the championship just days away, expectations are high as Nigeria prepares to host over 40 countries at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta. Team Nigeria will be looking to deliver a strong showing on home soil and inspire the next generation of athletics stars. 

The Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, has congratulated Kun Khalifat FC and its proprietor, Mr. Micheal Ahamefule, on the club’s historic promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

In a statement issued on behalf of the Imo State Government, Hon. Onyeocha commended the club for their remarkable achievement, describing it as a product of hard work, determination, and vision. “His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State, joins me in celebrating Kun Khalifat FC for flying the Imo flag high and setting a new standard for excellence in grassroots football,” he said.

The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting sports development across the state and urged Kun Khalifat FC to continue striving for even greater heights in the NPFL. “On behalf of the Government and good people of Imo State, we say congratulations. More victories lie ahead, and to God be the glory for this outstanding success,” the statement concluded. 

Arsenal have completed the signing of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in a deal worth almost £60m. The Spain midfielder is the Gunners' second signing of the summer transfer window, following the arrival of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5m.

The 26-year-old, who rejected an approach from Liverpool last summer, came through the ranks at Real Sociedad before becoming a regular in their first team. The deep-lying midfielder - who played 236 times for the Spanish club, scoring 10 goals - has signed a five-year deal. "This is a huge moment in my career," said Zubimendi. "It's the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are.

"I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come." Last season Zubimendi was part of the side beaten 4-1 at Old Trafford as Sociedad, who finished 11th in La Liga, were knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United. He helped his country win Euro 2024, coming on for Manchester City's Rodri at half-time in the final against England as Mikel Oyarzabal's goal claimed the trophy for Spain. He has 19 caps and has become a regular for Spain as a result of Rodri being sidelined last season by a serious knee injury.

Zubimendi scored in the recent Nations League final against Portugal before Spain lost on penalties. "Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. "He will fit in really well and has all the attributes to be a key player for us. "The standard he has consistently performed at over the last few seasons for both club and country is exactly why we are so excited to have him with us."

Arsenal have also agreed a deal with Brentford to sign midfielder Christian Norgaard for an initial £10m.