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Bet9ja League: Produce Future Players For Sunshine Stars, Ondo Deputy Gov

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Bet9ja League: Produce Future Players For Sunshine Stars, Ondo Deputy Gov charges organisers—Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has urged the State Football Association to ensure that Bet9ja Ondo State Football League produce future champions and players for clubs, especially for Sunshine Stars.

The deputy governor said this at the official unveiling and launch of the football league on Sunday in Akure.

Ayedatiwa, who was represented by the General Manager, Ondo State Football Agency(ODSFA), Mr Akin Akinbobola, commended the state football association for re-awakening the state league which had been docile.

He noted that the league would encourage football activities across the 18 local government areas and identify talents for national and international engagements.

“This is laudable; this is the beginning of grassroots league. I commend the state FA for the noble and laudable initiative which would afford the talents abound in the state to showcase themselves.

“Competitions have been organised in the state before now, but I must say this Bet9ja competition is novel, well structured, I pray for the success of the Bet9ja competition.

“Our government will continue to support any initiative driven towards development of our youths at the grassroots,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa called on well to do individuals to invest more in the development of football in the state.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Ondo State Football Association, Otunba Dele Ajayi, said the state football league would provide a pool of talents for clubs in the state to tap from.

Ajayi, who noted that scouts would be brought for the competition, appreciated Bet9ja for coming to the aid of the association in terms of development of grassroots football.

“The committee needs your cooperation. We were voted in last year and all our programmes have been successful and I appreciate my board members for the support and cooperation,” he said.

The Chairman of the Committee, Bet9ja Ondo State Football League, Mr Yomi Seriki, said the committee had concluded a statewide tour to sensitise stakeholders about the league.

“Registration will be for a period of two weeks and we envisage nothing less than 80 football teams at the grassroots, across the state, to register for the inaugural league.

“After registration, the teams will be divided into groups and then the league will commence.

“At the end of the first stage, the winner and the runner up from each group will converge in Akure for the grand finale; it is from the engagement between the teams that the state champion will finally emerge.

“The league will be run and managed according to the statutes of FIFA through the Nigerian Football Federation and we have obligations to our title sponsors, Bet9ja, the foremost sports betting company in Nigeria, and we will fulfill all our commitments to them in words and in spirit,” he said.

The Chairman, Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Youths and Sports Development, Olugbenga Omole assured the FA of budgetary allocation to fund the association for excellence

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Tottenham Agree Club-Record £100m Deal for Sandro Tonali From Newcastle United

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Tottenham Agree Club-Record £100m Deal for Sandro Tonali From Newcastle United—-Spurs have reached an agreement with Newcastle United for the Italy international, with Roberto De Zerbi landing his top midfield target in a blockbuster deal worth up to £100 million.

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a club-record £100 million deal with Newcastle United to sign Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, in what is set to become one of the biggest transfers of the summer window. The agreement is understood to be worth an initial £92.5 million, with a further £7.5 million in performance-related add-ons.

The 26-year-old is expected to sign a long-term contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after agreeing personal terms. Tonali is reportedly set to become one of the club’s highest-paid players, with manager Roberto De Zerbi playing a pivotal role in convincing his fellow Italian to make the move to North London.

De Zerbi identified Tonali as the cornerstone of his midfield rebuild, believing the Italy international possesses the technical quality, leadership and tactical intelligence needed to transform Spurs into Premier League and UEFA Champions League contenders. The pair share a close footballing philosophy, with sources indicating Tonali was persuaded by De Zerbi’s long-term vision for the club.

Tonali joined Newcastle United from AC Milan in 2023 for around £55 million and quickly became one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders. Although his first season in England was interrupted by a 10-month suspension for breaches of betting regulations, he returned strongly and helped Newcastle end their long wait for major silverware by winning the Carabao Cup before re-establishing himself as one of the league’s elite central midfielders.

For Newcastle, the sale represents a substantial profit and provides significant financial flexibility as the club continues to reshape its squad. Reports suggest Eddie Howe’s side are already targeting replacements, including Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Touré and Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi, while also exploring further additions before the new season begins.

The acquisition of Tonali signals Tottenham’s intent under De Zerbi. The Italian midfielder is expected to become the centerpiece of a revamped Spurs side aiming to challenge for domestic honours and compete strongly in Europe. Once the medical and final paperwork are completed, Tonali will officially become Tottenham’s most expensive signing in the club’s history, eclipsing all previous transfer records.

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JUST IN: Folarin Balogun Scores but Sees Red as USA Beat Bosnia to Reach World Cup Round of 16

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JUST IN: Folarin Balogun Scores but Sees Red as USA Beat Bosnia to Reach World Cup Round of 16—-The USMNT defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in Santa Clara to book a last-16 clash with Belgium, but the victory was overshadowed by Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card after the striker had opened the scoring.

The United States booked their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a determined 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, overcoming the dismissal of star striker Folarin Balogun to continue their impressive run on home soil.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side endured a nervy start at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium as Bosnia threatened through Ermedin Demirović, forcing goalkeeper Matt Freese into two excellent early saves. Despite Bosnia’s bright opening, the hosts gradually settled into the contest, dominating possession and creating the better opportunities.

The breakthrough came just before halftime in the 45th minute. A high press forced Bosnia into surrendering possession near midfield, and after Malik Tillman’s attempted pass deflected kindly into Balogun’s path, the Monaco striker calmly slotted a left-footed finish beyond the goalkeeper to score his third goal of the tournament. The strike made Balogun only the third American player to score three or more goals in a single FIFA World Cup.

The match took a dramatic turn in the 64th minute when Balogun was shown a straight red card following a VAR review. Referee Raphael Claus upgraded the incident to serious foul play after reviewing Balogun’s challenge on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemović, leaving the United States to play the remainder of the match with ten men. The dismissal means Balogun will miss the Round of 16 clash against Belgium through suspension.

Despite the setback, the Americans showed tremendous resilience. With Bosnia pushing forward in search of an equalizer, Malik Tillman produced a moment of brilliance in the 82nd minute, curling a superb free-kick into the top corner to double the lead and effectively seal qualification. Matt Freese completed an outstanding evening by preserving his clean sheet with several key saves late in the contest.

The victory sends the United States into the Round of 16, where they will meet Belgium in Seattle in one of the standout ties of the knockout stage. However, Pochettino will be without his leading scorer after Balogun’s dismissal, a significant blow as the co-hosts aim to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.

While Balogun’s evening ended in disappointment, his goal proved crucial in setting the United States on course for victory. Combined with Tillman’s spectacular free-kick and a disciplined defensive display, it was enough to keep the Americans’ World Cup dream alive as they prepare for their toughest test yet against Belgium.

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