SPORTS
SNEPCo Junior Tennis Masters Kicks off July 26
By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
The SNEPCo National Junior championships will this year hold as the SNEPCo Junior Tennis Masters featuring the best four players in the Boys and Girls 12s and 16s, the tournament will take place at the Luik Tennis Recreation Centre – a country club in the heart of Lekki Phase One in Lagos.
According to the International Tennis Academy (ITA) organisers of the championship, the players are selected based on their performance in the recently concluded MTN Junior Tennis League Championship with wild cards for the No.
1s in the 10s and 14s.“The aim is to isolate the top players in the age categories and motivate them to aspire for excellence at the senior level at the shortest possible time.
We also hope that it will challenge those who did not qualify, when they see the special treatment given to these ones, to work harder to improve their skill level,” the statement from the ITA said.The highlights of the SNEPCo Junior Masters is expected to come in the Boys 16 which will feature Mubarak Ganiyu and Seun Ogunsakin winner and runner-up of the MTN Juniors, the Girls 16s which has fast improving Etoro Emmanuel from Akwa Ibom and Khadijat Mohammed from Abuja and the Girls 12 which will showcase Benin City based, super talented Lorelay Holzendoff who easily won the MTN Junior Girls 12 title but will have to face Fego Ayetuoma from Rivers State who missed out due to school exams.
The tournament is planned to end on Saturday July 30 with a grand finale.
SPORTS
Alcohol, Animals, Others prohibited inside AFCON 2025 Stadiums
As anticipation builds for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, set to kick off on December 21 in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football has released a list of items prohibited across all tournament stadiums.
According to the guidelines cited on CAF’s website on Monday, the rules are aimed at ensuring fan safety throughout the competition.
Fans attending AFCON 2025 matches in Morocco will be subjected to security screening.
They are advised not to bring prohibited items into stadiums to ensure safety, order and a smooth match-day experience.
Below is the list of items fans are advised to leave at home before entering AFCON stadiums:
Alcoholic beverages, Illegal substances and drugs, Weapons and sharp objects, Fireworks and pyrotechnics, Glass bottles or containers, Flammable materials, Racist, violent or discriminatory banners, Unauthorised political, religious or commercial signs, Drones and animals, Large umbrellas and oversized hats, Professional cameras and recording equipment, Musical instruments and loud horns, Radio-emitting devices (except mobile phones) and Heavy or large bags.
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SPORTS
Man City Still Work in Progress –Guardiola
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has disclosed that the team are still a work in progress following his expensive overhaul of the squad since last season.
The Spanish tactician made this known after the Citizens thrashed Crystal Palace 3-0 in Sunday’s Premier League game.
In a chat with the club’s website, Guardiola stated that the team are in a better position than last season.
“Many things we have to improve.
Madrid gave me a lot of things, that still we are not ready, not in mentality but in how to approach certain games. They are young some of the players. But 3-0 here is a big statement for us.“When you win in the past, you believe the past was perfect, always brilliant, always the red carpet.
When we won with 100 points, all the things we achieved, we had a lot of games like today. The resilience was part of that.“There are moments that you struggle. Madrid was not the perfect game, but it was a step. We fought unbelievably to achieve that.
“We are in a better position than last season. We are close in the competitions we are in.”
SPORTS
Palmer out for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup Quarter-final, Says Maresca
Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer will not feature in the Blues’ Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City, head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed.
The match is set for Tuesday at 8 pm in the Welsh capital, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
Palmer recently returned to action after a spell out with groin and toe injuries and scored in Chelsea’s weekend victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.
However, Maresca, in his press conference on Monday, explained that the young forward is being carefully managed to avoid overexertion.
“I’ve already said many times in press conferences that we have many players who need to be protected. Cole is one of the players who deserves to be protected right now.
In this moment, he’s not available to play two games in three days. So, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game, but should be fine for the weekend,” Maresca said.The Chelsea coach also praised Cardiff City and their manager, Brian Murphy, highlighting the challenge the Blues will face:
“They are top of the league, playing nice football and winning games. I know Brian and know he is doing a good job. This will be a dangerous game for us, and we need to pay attention and be careful tomorrow. We have the opportunity to achieve something important, which is to reach the semi-final of this competition.”
Chelsea will hope to progress to the last four while keeping key players fresh for the Premier League schedule.

