Sports
EPL: Guardiola confirms two key Man City players to miss Tottenham clash
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Dias will miss their Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Guardiola revealed that Kovacic is sidelined with an injury that could keep him out for “a few weeks or one month,” while Dias is expected to return soon.
“Kovacic is injured. It will be a while, a few weeks or one month,” Guardiola said.
The City boss also provided updates on other players, noting that John Stones and Manuel Akanji trained well and are fit, while Nathan Aké is making his way back into contention.
“John trained good yesterday, Manu trained good yesterday, and Nathan is coming back. Just Ruben is out, but hopefully, he will be back soon. We didn’t have central defenders, and now we have three,” he added.
Guardiola’s comments come a day after he signed a new contract with Manchester City, extending his tenure at the club.
Sports
Lagos to host Davis Cup World Group II playoff
Oyekanmi emphasised that with the world’s attention on Lagos in February, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown that promises to elevate Nigerian tennis to new heights.
The Lagos Lawn Tennis Club will host Davis Cup World Group II playoff between Nigeria and Uzbekistan from 6–8 February 2026.
The President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Victor Ochie, who disclosed this, said that hosting the event will significantly contribute to the development of lawn tennis in the country.
Prince Kunle Oyekanmi, publicity secretary of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, expressed confidence in the club’s ability to host a world-class tournament.“We are committed to ensuring a successful championship that will leave a lasting mark on the sport globally,” he said.
Oyekanmi added that the Davis Cup will inspire young and upcoming Nigerian players to pursue lawn tennis more passionately.
Oyekanmi emphasised that with the world’s attention on Lagos in February, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown that promises to elevate Nigerian tennis to new heights.
Sports
US opens priority visa appointments for 2026 World Cup ticket holders
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the organisation expects “between five and ten million people” to travel to North America to enjoy the World Cup.
The United States on Tuesday, opened a priority visa appointment system for holders of tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, allowing fans to seek earlier appointments ahead of the tournament.
The World Cup will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
BBC reported that visa appointment scheme will enable ticket holders to access prioritised visa slots before the competition begins on June 11.
The US will host 78 of the 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup across 11 cities, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.”
In November, President Donald Trump said the Departments of State and Homeland Security had been working “tirelessly” to ensure football fans from around the world are properly vetted and able to travel to the United States for the summer tournament.
“I’ve directed my administration to do everything within our power to make the 2026 World Cup an unprecedented success. We are setting records on ticket sales,” Trump said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the organisation expects “between five and ten million people” to travel to North America to enjoy the World Cup.
Sports
Senegal players to get bonuses, land for AFCON 2025 win
In addition, Faye said members of Senegal’s soccer federation would receive 50 million CFA francs and 1,000 square-metre plots, while members of the Senegalese delegation to Morocco would receive 20 million CFA francs and 500 square-metre plots.
Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has offered bonuses of more than $130,000 as well as plots of coastal land to each member of the country’s soccer team following their victory in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
According to Reuters, President Faye spoke at a ceremony in the capital Dakar on Tuesday night during which thousands of jubilant supporters took to the streets to welcome the victorious Lions of Teranga home.
Senegal beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, having staged a walk-off after they had a penalty awarded against them deep in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes.
After the Senegal players returned to the pitch, Morocco missed the spot kick and Pape Gueye then won the trophy with a superb strike four minutes into extra time.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Senegal players rode atop a bus emblazoned with the words “African champions” along Dakar’s corniche towards the presidential palace.
The bonuses of 75 million CFA francs ($134,892.09) for each of the squad’s 28 players total 2.1 billion CFA francs or $3.7 million.
The players will also receive 1,500 square-metre plots of land.
In addition, Faye said members of Senegal’s soccer federation would receive 50 million CFA francs and 1,000 square-metre plots, while members of the Senegalese delegation to Morocco would receive 20 million CFA francs and 500 square-metre plots.
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