Orlando Pirates’ Abdeslam Ouaddou battles to explain Marumo Gallants’ loss

The pressure is suddenly on the shoulders of Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, after his side lost their second Betway Premiership match in a row on Tuesday evening.

It certainly was not the result Pirates would have wanted as they went down 2-1 to Marumo Gallants, at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium, in Bloemfontein.

It means Pirates now sit way down in 14th spot, while Gallants rose to the top of the table.

By Michael Sherman

Full story at IOL

Inter set transfer ceiling for Ademola Lookman

Inter Milan have reportedly placed a strict price limit on their move for Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman as transfer talks continue this summer.

Inter Milan have drawn a firm line on their move for Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, setting a maximum bid of €45 million plus bonuses for the Atalanta star as negotiations continue in a tense summer transfer saga.

The 27-year-old Nigerian, currently one of Serie A’s most sought-after attackers following his 2024 African Player of the Year award, remains Inter’s primary transfer target.

By Izuchukwu Akawor

Full story at Pulse NG

No more LGBTQ - Premier League to STOP rainbow armbands on matchdays

The Premier League has ended its Rainbow Laces partnership with Stonewall, dropping the rainbow armbands ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The Premier League is reportedly ending its eight-year-long partnership with LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall.

The move signals a shift in its visible support for inclusivity on matchdays.

What happened?

As reported by The Telegraph and confirmed by Daily Mail, the decision was finalised during a meeting held with all 20 club captains on Thursday, bringing the popular Rainbow Laces initiative to an official close ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

By David Ben

Full story at Pulse NG

Rugby Australia relaxes 'redundant' limit on foreign-based players

Will Skelton, seen here breaking the British and
 Irish Lions defence, plays for La Rochelle in France
(DAVID GRAY)

Rugby Australia has signalled that more overseas-based players will be allowed to represent the Wallabies, shifting away from a strict policy that has heavily favoured domestic players.

The so-called "Giteau Law" -- named after former fly-half Matt Giteau -- has for years put restrictions on overseas-based players being selected for the Wallabies.

But with Test stars such as lock Will Skelton, flanker Tom Hooper and prop Taniela Tupou all joining an exodus to Europe, Rugby Australia has indicated the Giteau Law has been dropped.

AFP

Full story at Yahoo News

Lucky Lekgwathi gives Orlando Pirates leadership his backing

It’s not often that a football club entrusts leadership duties to a teenager, but that’s exactly what Orlando Pirates have done, and the move has drawn praise from Bucs legend Lucky Lekgwathi.

Pirates have appointed 19-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi as one of the club’s vice captains for the new season.

While Mbokazi’s appointment has raised a few eyebrows, it’s clear that new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is ready to show faith in his youngsters.

Speaking about Mbokazi, Lekgwathi told Sowetan: “Before the club announced the captain, someone asked me to choose five players who could lead, and Sibisi and Mbokazi were on my list.

By Michael Sherman

Full story at IOL

The power and success of Nigerian Women in Sports

Senator Oluremi Tinubu

Nigerian women are known for their high standards, dedication, resilience, hard work, respect and well-known as the strongest women in the history of mankind.

They are recognized and simply the best in everything they do from leadership, sports, business, health, business and nation building.

These can be proven from Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Mother of the nation) to Chioma Ajunwa, the first Nigerian woman to win gold at the Olympics, to the rise and rise of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Tobi Amusan, Nigeria Super Falcons and recently the success story of Nigeria DTigress in the just concluded Afro Basketball but the list continues.

The power of our women cannot be underestimated, and success is written all over their faces and they continue to make Nigeria proud both home and away.

The more reason Nigeria women are more preferrable anyway you go!

Thank you, mothers of our land. 

We love you today and forever.

By Olagunju Success Taiwo

Tobi Amusan wins historic fifth national title at the Nigerian Championships in Yabatech

Tobi Amusan was unstoppable at the Nigerian Championships, dropping another statement victory for her fifth national title.

World Record holder Tobi Amusan has written her name in the history books again after winning her fifth consecutive national title at the Nigerian Championships in Yabatech.

The hurdling queen clocked a brilliant 12.57 seconds to dominate the race—just three hundredths shy of her championship record of 12.54s set in 2022.

By Funmilayo Fameso

Full story at Pulse NG