Sports

Gennaro Gattuso has stepped down as head coach of the Italy national football team, the Italian Football Federation confirmed on Friday, April 3, 2026. Gattuso’s exit follows a wave of changes within the federation, with president Gabriele Gravina and team manager Gianluigi Buffon also stepping down shortly before his departure. In an official statement, the federation said both parties mutually agreed to end the Calabria-born coach’s contract, expressing appreciation for his “dedication, commitment, and passion” during his nine-month tenure. Gattuso admitted his decision came after failing to meet expectations, noting that stepping aside would allow for a fresh technical direction. He also thanked Gravina, Buffon, his colleagues, and the fans for their unwavering support, describ...

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially inaugurated its Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee as preparations begin for the 2026–2030 Executive Committee elections. The inauguration ceremony was conducted on Thursday, April 2, at the federation’s secretariat in Abuja by NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau. He charged members of both committees to carry out their duties with fairness, transparency, and strict impartiality. Speaking on behalf of the committees, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Matthew Burka’a, expressed confidence in the process and assured stakeholders of a credible outcome. “We are committed to handling this responsibility with the utmost diligence. On behalf of all members, I assure the NFF, Nigerians, and the global football community of a f...

Philippine boxing legend, Manny Pacquiao, has said his planned September fight with Floyd Mayweather will not be an exhibition, days after his fellow hall of famer said their bout would be strictly entertainment. Last month, Netflix announced a long-awaited rematch of the highest-grossing clash in boxing history, with Pacquiao and Mayweather set to face each other at the Sphere in Las Vegas on September 19. But earlier this week, Mayweather stunned the boxing world by suggesting the rivals, whose 2015 bout drove 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, would only be entering the squared circle for show this time around. "It's an exhibition, so we're both winners," Mayweather said in an interview with Vegas Sports Today. "We just want to go out there and entertain the people and put on a...

Gabriele Gravina has resigned as president of the Italian Football Federation after Italy national football team failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the third consecutive time. According to Naija News, Gravina announced his resignation during an emergency FIGC general council meeting convened just hours after Italy’s playoff final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team on penalties on Tuesday, March 31. A new president is expected to be elected on June 22. The emergency meeting brought together key stakeholders in Italian football, including representatives from professional leagues, the amateur division, players, and coaches. Gravina had been in charge since October 2018. During his tenure, Italy won UEFA Euro 2020 but failed to secure qualification for ...

Nigeria will face Poland and Portugal in high-profile international friendlies this June as preparations gather pace for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The Super Eagles, under coach Éric Chelle, are scheduled to meet Poland on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at a venue yet to be announced. One week later, they will confront Portugal, with organisers still to confirm the location. Nigeria edged their last meeting with Poland 1-0 in Wrocław on 23 March 2018, when Victor Moses converted from the penalty spot. Portugal, however, handed the Super Eagles a heavy 4-0 defeat in their most recent clash in November 2022. Goals from Bruno Fernandes, Gonçalo Ramos and João Mário sealed that victory. Before the June fixtures, Nigeria will compete in the Unity Cup in May alon...

Golf legend, Tiger Woods, has ruled himself out of captaining the US Ryder Cup following his recent arrest for DUI with property damage from a rollover car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida.  This comes after Woods issued a plea of not guilty to the charges but announced he would seek treatment and was granted permission to do so outside the country.  The PGA of America has now confirmed that Woods has formally withdrawn his name from consideration to captain the Americans at Adare Manor in Ireland following his accident. "The PGA of America stands in full support of Tiger Woods as he steps away to focus on his health and well-being. ... We commend Tiger for prioritizing his long-term health and deeply respect the courage it takes ...

File photo of Spain international Lamine Yamal Spain winger Lamine Yamal has slammed the racist chants that marred his country’s 0-0 friendly draw with Egypt at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona on Tuesday. Police in Spain are investigating “Islamophobic and xenophobic” chants that echoed through the stadium during the first half. Stadium screens displayed warnings against such behaviour at half-time and again early in the second half, prompting whistles from some sections of the crowd. “I know it was directed at the opposing team and wasn’t personal against me, but as a Muslim, it’s still disrespectful and intolerable,” Yamal, 18, wrote on Instagram. “I understand that not all fans are like that, but to those who chant these things: using a religion as a taunt on the fi...

Real Madrid are tracking Nigerian-born defender Honest Ahanor, DAILY POST reports. Ahanor moved to Atalanta from Genoa last summer, and has become a key figure at the Gewiss Stadium. The versatile defender has made 28 appearances across all competitions for La Dea this season, and scored once. He has also featured regularly in the UEFA Champions League. According to Sky Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Real Madrid have been scouting the player. The LaLiga giants are preparing for the expected departures of experienced defenders David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger, and Ahanor is seen as an ideal replacement.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have retained their 26th position in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings released on April 1, 2026. The updated rankings, published on FIFA’s official website after the March international break, reflect Nigeria’s performances in two friendly matches played in Antalya, Turkey. Under coach Eric Chelle, the team secured a 2-1 victory over Iran on March 27 before playing out a 2-2 draw against Jordan on March 31. Despite these results, the Super Eagles remain the third-highest ranked team in Africa, behind reigning 2025 AFCON champions Morocco and Senegal. Morocco currently occupy eighth place globally, while Senegal slipped two spots to 14th. Meanwhile, France have climbed to the top of the global rankings, overtaking Spain to claim the number one positi...

Former Manchester United striker, Anthony Martial, has been banished from training by Monterrey following an outburst on the sidelines when he was subbed off. According to Mexican outlet TUDN, the 30-year-old striker has been exiled from training after he reacted furiously to not being substituted during Monterrey's 3-2 defeat by Chivas de Guadalajara last Sunday.  It is claimed Martial threw a strop on the substitutes' bench when youngster Joaquin Moxica was brought on in the 74th minute, with Monterrey three goals behind. Furious at being overlooked by manager Nicolas Sanchez, Martial lost his temper and remained an unused substitute for the rest of the game. His tantrum has seen the ex-Manchester United star told to stay away from training for the remainder of...