SPORTS
Pre-Season Tourney: Lobi Stars Defeats Rivers United in Opener

Lobi Stars’ 22nd-minute goal from Ossy Martins in the opening game of the Gov. Nyesom Wike Pre-Season Tournament, on Friday, handed hosts, Rivers United an opening loss.
Rivers United Head Coach, Stanley Eguma, told sports journalists after the match in Port Harcourt that the game was not a bad one, saying that his team still has to do more work.
Eguma said despite conceding the lone goal, he was not disappointed because his players are still honing their skills.“I believe that in a very short while, we will get it clear; you see that in the second half, the players raised their game that put Lobi under pressure to defend all through.
“I think we are going to do better in subsequent games when most of our players that are injured come on board,” he said.Head Coach of Lobi Stars, Kabiru Dogo, gave glory to God for journey mercies and victory secured in the highly technical game on both sides.Dogo acknowledged that Rivers United, as one of the continental teams and with Stanley Eguma in charge, the hosts are a formidable side.He stated that his target is to see that Lobi Stars became one of the best teams at the end of the season.
“For this victory, I say, well done to my boys but I dedicate it to my management, the Benue Government, for providing opportunity for us to train when the country was not settled,” he said.
The Special Guest for the opening match, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, commended the organisers for a job well done.Akawor, who is the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers, stressed that Governor Wike’s support for sports has become legendary, which also earned him the title, Power of Sports (POS) in Africa.
The State Sports Commissioner, Boma Iyaye, expressed satisfaction with the level of organisation and fair play from the two teams.He noted that the Pre-Season tournament is basically to prepare teams ahead of the upcoming season and not a must-win for any of the teams.
He disclosed that Rivers United is ready for continental and NPFL campaigns, and pointed out that the team will continue to build on its strength.Dignitaries who graced the opening match included the Special Adviser to Rivers Governor on Real Madrid Academy, Chris Green; Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Sports, Honour Sirawoo and footballers among others. (NAN)
SPORTS
Tottenham Interested in Crystal Palace’s Eze

Tottenham FC are exploring a deal for Crystal Palace and England forward Eberechi Eze.
Thomas Frank is looking to bolster his options in the final third after attacking midfielder James Maddison was ruled out for the majority of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
South Korea forward Son Heung-min left the club after 10 years earlier this month having scored 173 goals in 454 appearances, while midfielder Dejan Kulusevski is still out after knee surgery.
Thus Eze has scored 14 goals across all competitions for Palace last season, including in their 1-0 win against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
The 27-year-old made his England debut in 2023 and has won 11 caps for the Three Lions, including three appearances at Euro 2024.
Tottenham are also in talks with Manchester City over a move for Savinhobut multiple sources have indicated that Eze is now emerging as a player of serious interest for Spurs.
There is no confirmation whether Tottenham will look to progress with deals for both Brazil winger Savinho and Eze.
Arsenal also have an interest in Eze but are currently looking at trying to move players on, with the likes of Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira set to leave.
However, it remains to be seen whether Tottenham’s active interest in Eze results in Arsenal accelerating a move for the England international.
Eze joined Palace from Queens Park Rangers in a deal worth £19.5m in 2020 and has scored 40 goals in 168 appearances.
His contract at Selhurst Park is due to expire in the summer of 2027.
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SPORTS
Liverpool Stepping up bid to Sign Palace’s Guehi

Liverpool are stepping up their attempts to sign Crystal Palace and England center-back Marc Guehi.
Palace captain Guehi has a year left on his contract, but Chairman Steve Parish said earlier this week he could be sold this summer to avoid him moving on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.
Sources have said that Liverpool have held initial talks with a view to signing the 25-year-old before the summer transfer window shuts.
Liverpool are also trying to sign Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni.
The 18-year-old Italian is not seen as a potential rival for Guehi but more as one for the future.
Guehi was the subject of bids worth up to £65m from Newcastle last year.
The FA Cup winners are believed to want £40m for him now, but Liverpool want to pay less than that.
The Reds have already spent about £270m this summer, though they have recouped about £170m through player sales.
They have also had a £110m bid for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle, though sources have said the Swede remains determined to move to Anfield.
Signing Guehi and Isak would take Liverpool’s summer spending above £400m.
SPORTS
Finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games Begin in Enugu

The finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games, on Thursday began in Enugu with the arrival and accreditation of athletes at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.
Dan Onwuegbuna, Director, Information, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Enugu State, said in a statement on Thursday that the games would be held between Aug.
7 and Aug. 10 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and the Enugu State Sports Council.“The games is designed to help the state discover talents to represent the state at the forthcoming U15 National Youth Games scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6,” he stated.
Onwuegbuna said that apart from representing the state at the Youth Games in Asaba, talented athletes discovered would represent the state in other competitions.
He quoted the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu as thanking Gov. Peter Mbah for approving the games.
Onwuegbuna said that the games was made possible following the collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the state Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB).
The games finals followed the outcome of the inter- Secondary Schools competitions held at the local government areas in the six Educational Zones in the State – Enugu, Agbani, Awgu, Udi, Nsukka and Udenu.
“The games will feature athletics, boxing, chess, basketball, volleyball, football, tennis and scrabble,” Onwuegbuna stated.