Sports Groove

George Russell set a dominant pace to end the opening day of practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ‌fastest ahead of runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who completed a one-two at the top of the timesheets for Mercedes. The Briton, who was also quickest in the first session of practice, lapped the 6-km Baku street circuit in one minute, 43.347 seconds during the second hour of running. Italian Antonelli, sidelined by a hydraulics issue in the first session, was a sizeable 0.552 seconds off his teammate’s pace. But the 20-year-old, who leads Russell by 81 points in the ⁠standings after 14 rounds, was heavily compromised on track time, only coming out with less than half an hour of the second session remaining. Four-times champion Max Verstappen, second in the first session, fell back to third at the end of the day, with the Dutchman a whopping 0.827 seconds off Russell’s pace. Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were fourth and fifth but over a second of...

Winger Anthony Gordon believes England should abandon attempts to copy Spain's possession-based style of football and instead embrace their natural game by leaning more into physical strengths. Following England's World ‌Cup semi-final loss to Argentina in July, England manager Thomas Tuchel attracted a backlash after saying ball possession was "not in their DNA" like Spain, where a passing-heavy approach is taught at all levels. Gordon, who moved to Spanish club Barcelona from Newcastle United in ⁠May, agreed with Tuchel and said on Wednesday that he was not sure English players could be taught in a similar way. After hosting Spain at Wembley, England visit the Czech ⁠Republic ​and Croatia before playing the Czechs ​again at home. The remaining two fixtures of the Nations League group will be completed ​in November.

Dutch footballing philosophy has had a marked impact on the all-conquering success of Spain recently, but now that the ‌Netherlands are looking to bolster their own fortunes they have turned to a Spanish World Cup winner for inspiration. Former Barcelona midfielder and coach Xavi Hernandez has become the first foreigner in charge of the Dutch national team since the 1978 World Cup. Xavi, who as a player won the World Cup in 2010 and two European Championships, debuts as coach on Thursday when the Dutch host Germany in Amsterdam and will have three more Nations League matches in the three-week international window. The ⁠Netherlands have turned to him for a change in perspective after spells under Ronald Koeman and Louis van Gaal sparked much disquiet over the team’s tactics and playing philosophy. Both coaches were accused of abandoning traditional Dutch values around ball possession and attacking football and employing counter-attacks as their primary weapon. Although Van G...

Germany coach Juergen Klopp refused to make any promises of silverware on Wednesday but said signs of progress should be visible when his side face the Netherlands in his first match in charge in the ‌Nations League on Thursday. The former Liverpool manager succeeded Julian Nagelsmann in July after Germany's shock 2026 World Cup exit. Nagelsmann had said following Germany's Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat that he was sad he would have to wait two years to lift the World Cup, a prediction that came back to haunt him when his side were ⁠eliminated by outsiders Paraguay this summer. Klopp was asked about his remark at the start of his Liverpool tenure that he would probably have won a title if he was still in the job four years later. He went on to win a string of trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League titles. He was far more circumspect on Wednesday. "I don't want to promise anything," Klopp told a press conference. "What I can s...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye The organisers of the Government College Ughelli (GCU) Relays have opened entries for interested secondary schools as preparations intensify for the eighth edition of the prestigious inter-school athletics competition. The 2026 GCU Relays is scheduled for November 14, 2026, at Government College Ughelli, Delta State, with organisers also launching a fresh sponsorship drive to secure wider support for the competition. Traditionally run as an invitational meet, the GCU Relays has over the years provided a competitive platform for young athletes from secondary schools across Nigeria to test their abilities, gain exposure and compete against some of the country's emerging talents. However, organisers have again created room for schools outside the invitation list to express interest, with institutions demonstrating genuine commitment to participation eligible for consideration. Novena University Staff School, Kwale, and Yewa College, Ila...

...We will improve on what we have done so far  …Vows to preserve Coe’s governance legacy, drive innovation and unlock new commercial opportunities By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye      World Athletics Vice President Adille Sumariwalla has pledged to build on the achievements of outgoing President Sebastian Coe while introducing fresh ideas, greater innovation and new commercial opportunities if elected president of the global athletics governing body in 2027. Sumariwalla, who is seeking to succeed Coe at next year’s presidential election, said his administration would preserve what he described as some of the major gains of the Coe era, particularly in governance, transparency and ethical standards, while pursuing new strategies to keep athletics relevant in a rapidly changing sporting landscape. Reflecting on the crisis that engulfed the sport in 2015, Sumariwalla said his long involvement in World Athletics governance had given him first-hand exper...

...Women eye response against Suriname as Libya test awaits the men By Maxwell Kumoye     Team Nigeria’s men and women are set to resume their campaigns at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, today, Wednesday, September 23, with both sides seeking a positive response after difficult results in Round 6. The Round 7 matches are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. local time in Samarkand, with Nigeria’s men facing Libya in the Open section, while the women take on Suriname.  Nigeria’s men enter the encounter with six match points from six rounds, having recorded three victories and three defeats. Their campaign suffered a major setback in Round 6 when they were beaten 4-0 by Vietnam. Before that defeat, the Nigerian side had bounced back from a 3-1 loss to Cuba by defeating Malawi 3½-½ in Round 5.  Against Libya, Nigeria will be looking to players such as Bomo Lovet Kigigha, Abdulrahman Akintoye Abdulraheem, Odion Aikhoje and Odey Goodness Ekunke to p...

French driver Isack Hadjar will make his racing return alongside Max Verstappen for Red Bull at this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix ‌having recovered from the wrist injury that sidelined him from the last three races, the team said on Tuesday. New Zealander Liam Lawson, who had stepped in for Hadjar, will return to Racing Bulls. Japanese racer Yuki ⁠Tsunoda, who filled Lawson's seat alongside British rookie Arvid Lindblad, is set to step back into his reserve role. "Having made a successful recovery from his wrist injury, Isack will return to action at the Baku City Circuit on Thursday," Red Bull said in a statement. "The team would like to sincerely thank Liam for his professionalism, dedication and hard ‌work ⁠over the past three races. "Stepping in under challenging circumstances, he delivered some impressive performances and made a valuable contribution to the team." Lawson, who started ⁠last year as Verstappen's Red Bull team mate ...

France captain Kylian Mbappe missed training on Tuesday after developing flu-like symptoms, casting doubt ‌over his availability for the team's upcoming Nations League fixtures, the French Football Federation (FFF) said. The Real Madrid forward remained at France's ⁠training base while the rest of Zidane's squad took part in the session. The session was the second overseen by new France coach Zinedine Zidane, who is preparing for his first match in charge when France ‌face ⁠Turkey in Kocaeli on Friday. France are also scheduled to play Belgium home and away and host Italy during ⁠the international window. Mbappe's condition adds an early selection concern for Zidane as he ⁠begins his tenure with the national team, after replacing his former ⁠France teammate Didier Deschamps following the World Cup.

Premier League champions Arsenal have agreed an improved contract with manager Mikel Arteta, the BBC reported on ‌Tuesday. Arteta's deal was due to expire at the end of the season and negotiations over an extension had been ongoing for several months. Arsenal co-chair Josh ⁠Kroenke said in May that securing Arteta's future was the club's priority after the Spaniard guided the North London side to their first league title in 22 years last season. Arteta reiterated his commitment to the club ‌this ⁠year amid speculation over his future. The 44-year-old Spaniard has transformed Arsenal since taking charge in 2019, ending the club's long wait for ⁠a Premier League crown last season after three runners-up finishes in a row. Arsenal have made a ⁠strong start to their title defence, winning their opening four league matches before ⁠suffering a 3-0 defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has been diagnosed with a grade-three sprain in his left ‌ankle, the Spanish club said on Tuesday. The Uruguay international sustained the injury during Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid after a heavy challenge ⁠from winger Lee Kang-in, an incident that did not result in a booking. Valverde completed the match but was later found to have suffered significant trauma to the ankle. A grade-three sprain is the most serious type of ligament injury ⁠and involves a complete tear of the affected ligament. Spanish media reports said Valverde ⁠is expected to be sidelined for between two and three weeks, ⁠ruling him out of Uruguay's upcoming international fixtures.

By Maxwell Kumoye      The Super Eagles of Nigeria have stepped up preparations for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with all 23 invited players now in camp in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze were the final arrivals, joining their teammates ahead of the team's evening training session to complete the squad assembled by head coach Éric Chelle. Chelle and his entire technical crew are also on ground at the team’s base, where preparations have moved into full swing ahead of Nigeria's opening qualifying fixture against Madagascar on Friday, September 25, 2026. Among those already in camp are former African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman, midfield playmaker Alex Iwobi and highly-rated youngster George Ilenikhena, who received his first invitation to the senior national team. The three-time African champions will host Madagascar's Barea in Uyo before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau in their next qualifying assig...

By Maxwell Kumoye     Nigeria will return to action on Wednesday, September 23, as the country takes on Rwanda in the classification phase of the 2026 African Men's Nations Volleyball Championship in Tunis, Tunisia. The encounter, scheduled for 12:00 noon at the El Menzah Hall, will determine Nigeria's position among the teams finishing between fifth and eighth at the continental championship. Nigeria, whose campaign has included a quarter-final defeat to Morocco, will be looking to respond strongly and finish the tournament on a positive note against a Rwandan side also competing for a higher classification. It's Game 28 of the championship, with Nigeria set to wear white jerseys, while the team's libero will be dressed in green. Rwanda will play in a blue-and-yellow combination, with its libero in yellow. Elsewhere in the classification matches, Ghana will face Egypt at 3:00 p.m. in another 5th–8th placement encounter. The day's programme will then shi...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye Rivers Hoopers are champions of Nigeria once again. The Port Harcourt-based side clinched the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League title on Monday after an 88-76 victory over Gboko City Chiefs at the NPBL Final Four, ending the championship hopes of defending champions Maktown Flyers in the process. Hoopers’ triumph was set up earlier in the day when Aso Sky Hawks defeated Maktown 72-64, leaving the defending champions unable to keep pace with the 2024 champions. It was a painful afternoon for Maktown, who needed a victory to remain in the title race. The defending champions appeared on course for a positive result after taking the first quarter 19-16 and moving seven points clear in the second. Aso, however, gradually turned the contest around. The Hawks levelled at 36-36 late in the second quarter before their defence began to dictate the contest. Aso forced Maktown into 12 turnovers before halftime and finished the opening half with...

By Maxwell Kumoye   Team Nigeria recorded a poor run in Round 6 of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with the men suffering a heavy defeat to Vietnam while the women also fell to Austria. The results leave both Nigerian teams with plenty to fight for in the remaining rounds of the prestigious global team championship. Nigeria’s men's team suffered a difficult outing against Vietnam, losing 4–0 in their Round 6 encounter. The result ended Nigeria’s run of three victories and leaves the men with six match points from six rounds, having recorded three wins and three defeats. Nigeria had earlier produced an impressive response in Round 5, defeating Malawi 3½–½, but the team could not reproduce that performance against a strong Vietnamese side. The Round 6 setback highlights the level of competition Nigeria is facing as the Olympiad enters its second half. The Nigerian women also endured disappointment, going down 3–1 to Austria. The defeat leaves the wo...

Kylian Mbappe says being managed by Zinedine Zidane for the French national team is "like something out of a movie". The pair will work together for the first time during ‌this international break, as Zidane returns to management five years after leaving Real Madrid. Last week Mbappe referred to Zidane as "the player who most embodies the France team", noting that he left an indelible mark on French football. Zidane confirmed last week that Mbappe would continue as France captain. Speaking to Spanish paper AS, Mbappe explained that Zidane was present in his career from his formative years. "Yes, years ago (he took me to Real Madrid's training ground)," said Mbappe. "He was the first, to pick me up ‌and ⁠take me to Real Madrid, to the training complex. I was 13 or 14, it was ages ago." "And now he’s my national team coach. It’s like something out of a movie, but he's top-level." Zidane replaced his former France ⁠team...

Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez wants more intensity from his team and for them to take the initiative ‌in their Nations League matches this month, he said on Monday. The former World Cup winner with Spain, who is also a former Barcelona coach, takes charge of his first match with the Dutch when they host Germany in Amsterdam on Thursday, followed by two games against Serbia and a trip to Greece in the expanded international window. Xavi said he would be insisting on hard work and application ⁠from the 26-man squad, whom he was meeting for the first time on Monday. “Everything is new for me and for the staff so it will first be to get to know each other, know all the players, insist or convince them about our way to play,” he told a press conference. “We don't have too much time. But no excuses, every coach is in the same situation. “I want to explain the values that we want from the squad. I want to show them that I'm open for them, I want to help them. I want to ...

  By Maxwell Kumoye   Cameroon has secured their place in the semifinals of the 2026 CAVB Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championship in Tunis, Tunisia, after edging Ghana 3-2 in a dramatic quarterfinal clash. The Indomitable Lions prevailed in a thrilling five-set encounter, winning 25-21, 19-25, 23-25, 25-23, 16-14 to book their spot in the last four. Cameroon made a strong start by taking the opening set 25-21, but Ghana responded impressively, winning the next two sets 25-19 and 25-23 to move within one set of victory. Refusing to surrender, Cameroon fought back in the fourth set, edging Ghana 25-23 to force a decisive fifth set. The final set produced another tense battle, with Cameroon holding their nerve to win 16-14 and complete a remarkable comeback. The victory sends Cameroon into the semifinals, while Ghana's impressive campaign comes to an end at the quarterfinal stage. The result was the 24th match of Day 8 of the championship, with both teams produc...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Team Nigeria’s men and women both moved to six match points after contrasting results in Round Five of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The men bounced back emphatically from their previous-round defeat to Cuba, dismantling Malawi 3½-½, while the women battled to a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic on Sunday. In the Open section, Bomo Lovet Kigigha shared the points with Joseph Mwale on the top board, but Nigeria dominated the remaining boards. Abdulrahman Akintoye Abdulraheem defeated Chiletso Chipanga, Odion Aikhoje overcame George Mwale and 15-year-old Odey Goodness Ekunke completed the victory with a win over Joseph Xavier Nyambalo. Aikhoje and Ekunke have now collected 3½ points each after five games, while Abdulraheem has 2½ and Kigigha has two points. The result takes Nigeria to six match points from five rounds, having recorded three match victories and suffered two defeats. The women, meanwhile, had to settle fo...

...Beyond athletics, cites India's medal growth and global exposure ...Three terms on World Athletics Council another for me By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye       World Athletics Vice President and presidential aspirant Adille Sumariwalla has placed his extensive experience in athletics administration, corporate management and international sport at the centre of his campaign to become president of the global governing body. With the World Athletics presidential election gathering momentum, Sumariwalla said his candidacy is built on decades of experience spanning grassroots, provincial, national and international athletics administration. He made this known in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG’s Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, stressing that his academic and professional background had also prepared him for the complexities of leading a global sporting organisation. “I have the experience. “I have worked in sports, from the lowest l...