Sports
Man Utd kick off Premier League season before Man City face new-look Chelsea

Manchester United kick-off the 2024/25 Premier League season at home to Fulham on Friday before Manchester City begin the defence of their title at free-spending Chelsea on Sunday.
New Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be under the spotlight on Saturday with a trip to newly-promoted Ipswich for his first competitive game since succeeding Jurgen Klopp.
AFP Sports looks at what to expect from the opening weekend of the new season:
Ten Hag needs fast start
Manchester United’s shock FA Cup final win over Manchester City back in May went a long way to keeping Erik ten Hag in charge at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman has been backed by United’s new football operations hierarchy, led by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, and was handed a contract extension to 2026.
Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have arrived to strengthen Ten Hag’s squad for around £150 million ($192 million).
But after finishing eighth last season — United’s worst ever Premier League finish — Ten Hag needs a fast start to the new campaign to dispell doubts he is the man to lead the club forward.
Fulham won at Old Trafford for the first time in 20 years in February.
Any repeat on Friday will have United fans fearing another season to forget.
Ipswich plan Slot shock
Arne Slot faces a tricky start to his Premier League career when Liverpool travel to an Ipswich side back in the top-flight after a 22-year absence and buoyant after successive promotions.
Liverpool are yet to make a single signing in the transfer window but have been rampant in pre-season with eye-catching wins over Arsenal, United and Sevilla.
Victory at Portman Road would bring some relief to Liverpool fans still coming to terms with the end of Klopp’s iconic reign.
The Reds could then build some momentum with a comfortable run of fixtures to come before the October international break.
But Ipswich defender Axel Tuanzebe is confident of maintaining Ipswich’s proud home record over the past two seasons.
“We’re going to empty the tank and give everything we’ve got,” Tuanzebe told the BBC.
“They’re just humans” he added. “It is just 11 v 11 on the pitch. Not many teams win at Portman Road and we intend to keep it that way.”
Chelsea chaos v City continuity
New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has a baptism of fire against his former club.
Maresca was part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at City before leading Leicester to promotion from the Championship last season.
The Italian inherits a chaotic situation at Stamford Bridge with a first team squad now boasting over 50 players and question marks over the future of most of them.
Chelsea’s issues were exposed in a torrid pre-season, that included a 4-2 defeat to City in the USA.
By contrast, there have been few changes for Guardiola’s champions.
Brazilian winger Savinho is the only new arrival, while Argentine forward Julian Alvarez departed this week for Atletico Madrid.
City’s England trio of Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden, plus Spanish midfielder Rodri, only returned to training this week after competing in the Euro 2024 final and are unlikely to start against Chelsea.
Fixtures:
Friday (all times GMT)
Manchester United v Fulham (1900)
Saturday
Ipswich v Liverpool (1130), Arsenal v Wolves, Everton v Brighton, Newcastle v Southampton, Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth (all 1400), West Ham v Aston Villa (1630)
Sunday
Brentford v Crystal Palace (1300), Chelsea v Manchester City (1530)
Monday
Leicester v Tottenham (1900)
Sports
Kano Athletes Tragedy: Governor Abiodun Supports Victims’ Families with N1 Million Each
This was a devastating loss for Kano State, for the athletics community, and especially for the families and friends of the individuals who were affected by this tragic incident.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun commiserated with the government and people of Kano state over the loss of athletes and officials returning home from the just-concluded National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged, Gateway Games 2024.
The Governor also gave N1 million each to the families of the victims as initial support over the loss of their loved ones, totaling N31 million.
The message was delivered on behalf of the governor by a delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi; the state Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka; and the Executive Secretary of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Gateway Games 2024, Dr Kweku Tandoh.
The delegation was received by officials of the Kano State Government, led by the state’s Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo.
: “We know that the Governor is out of the state on Hajj, but we felt we had to be here to show our support to the Governor, the Government, and the people of Kano State in these trying times.
This was a devastating loss for Kano State, for the athletics community, and especially for the families and friends of the individuals who were affected by this tragic incident.
We also pray for the speedy recovery of the other people who are in the hospital at this time, who rushed to the aid of the victims,” said Engr. Salako-Oyedele.
The Kano Deputy Governor expressed the State Government’s appreciation for the visit.
He disclosed that Governor Abiodun had called to commiserate with the government and people of Kano State over the incident on Saturday.
Sports
Kano Mourns 22 Athletes killed in Auto Accident
The athletes were killed near Kuri, about 50 kilometres from Kano while returning from Abeokuta, Ogun State, where they had represented Kano at the 22nd National Sports Festival.

The Kano State government has declared today a public holiday to mourn the death of 22 athletes who lost their lives in a tragic auto crash on Saturday.
The athletes were killed near Kuri, about 50 kilometres from Kano while returning from Abeokuta, Ogun State, where they had represented Kano at the 22nd National Sports Festival.
In a statement signed by the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed profound sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences over the unfortunate incident that occurred to the brave Kano team members on their way back home along the Kano–Zaria expressway,” said the statement.
The governor described the incident as a dark moment for the state, saying, “It is with a deeply saddened heart that I received the tragic news of the unfortunate incident which claimed the lives of 22 innocent citizens and left several others injured.”
He added, “On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We mourn with you and share in your grief.”
Governor Yusuf also approved today as a public holiday to sympathise with the victims’ families and called for calm and unity during this challenging time.
He assured that all necessary efforts were being made to support the families and survivors.
Sports
Ex-Super Eagles Coach, Oliseh Gets IFAB Appointment
Oliseh confirmed this appointment via his official X account on Monday.

Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has landed a new role with the International Football Association Board, IFAB.
IFAB is the global guardian of football’s laws, responsible for determining the laws of football, shaping the beautiful game for players and fans worldwide.
Oliseh confirmed this appointment via his official X account on Monday.
He wrote: “Thrilled to announce my appointment to the International Football Association Board (IFAB)!
“Honored to contribute to its mission!”Oliseh’s appointment to the IFAB board will see the former Dortmund and Juventus midfielder work with some of football’s most influential figures, including legendary Arsenal boss, Arsène Wenger.
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