Category Archives: Sports

Lakers land Marcus Smart on $11m deal: Smart signing or risky gamble?

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The Los Angeles Lakers have made another strategic addition to their roster, agreeing to a two-year, $11 million deal with veteran guard Marcus Smart, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.

The deal follows a reported contract buyout between Smart and the Washington Wizards, where he landed following a midseason trade from the Memphis Grizzlies. With the Wizards in the midst of a full rebuild, Smart’s exit seemed inevitable.

His arrival in Los Angeles marks the Lakers’ third significant roster move this offseason, following the signings of Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia. With the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers were clearly in need of a reliable 3-and-D player—and Marcus Smart fits the bill.

A Defensive Anchor in the Backcourt

Despite his 6’4″ frame, Smart is widely respected as one of the NBA’s fiercest perimeter defenders. He made history in 2022 as the first guard to win Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton in 1996, and his versatility allows him to switch across multiple positions.

Read Also: Arsenal complete £48.5m signing of Madueke from Chelsea

Smart’s intensity and leadership on the defensive end could provide exactly what the Lakers need, especially in a starting lineup that includes offensive-minded players like LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. Smart could potentially start alongside Reaves, with Rui Hachimura moving to the bench to create better defensive balance.

Concerns About Durability

While Smart brings immense value on defense, his health remains a concern. He has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons, appearing in just 34 games last season and 20 the year before. However, the Lakers seem confident in his ability to stay on the court and contribute to a deep playoff run.

In his brief stint with the Wizards last season, Smart played 15 games, averaging 9.3 points, 2.5 assists, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in just over 18 minutes per game. He also posted solid shooting splits—44% from the field and an impressive 39.2% from three-point range.

Lakers’ Smart Strategy

Given the Lakers’ limited financial flexibility and the thin free agent market, signing Marcus Smart without needing to make a trade is a major win. Smart brings championship-level experience, defensive grit, and veteran leadership—elements the Lakers desperately need to remain competitive in a stacked Western Conference.

The Lakers front office, often under pressure for its decision-making, deserves credit for its patient and calculated approach this offseason. While Smart’s injury history prevents this move from earning a perfect grade, it’s still a strong acquisition that could pay major dividends if he stays healthy.

Arsenal complete £48.5m signing of Madueke from Chelsea

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Arsenal have completed the signing of England winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea for an initial fee of £48.5m.

The 23-year-old was part of Chelsea’s squad at the Club World Cup in the United States but left the camp before last Sunday’s 3-0 win against Paris St-Germain in the final to finalise his move to Mikel Arteta’s side.

Madueke has signed a five-year contract at Emirates Stadium, with his fee rising to just over £50m with add-ons.

“Humbled and blessed to be here. Thank you to everyone that made this possible,” he wrote on Instagram.

“I can’t wait to get on the pitch and start to repay the faith shown in me. It’s going to be so special.”

He made 92 appearances for Chelsea after joining from PSV Eindhoven for £30m in January 2023 and scored 20 goals, helping them win the Conference League last season.

He was part of Crystal Palace and then Tottenham’s academy before spending four-and-a-half years in the Netherlands, where he won the Dutch Cup.

Madueke made his England senior debut in August 2024 and set up Harry Kane’s winner as Thomas Tuchel’s side defeated Andorra 1-0 in World Cup qualification last month.

Arteta told Arsenal’s website, external: “Noni is an exciting and powerful young player, with his performances and numbers in recent seasons being of consistently high quality.

“He is one of the most talented wide forward players in the Premier League.

Read Also: BREAKING: Chelsea make history with 3-0 Club World Cup Triumph over PSG

“At just 23, Noni already brings experience of club and international football, and he knows the Premier League very well.

“Having seen the quality of Noni’s performances up close in recent seasons, we’re really excited he is joining us. His arrival will really improve our squad.”

News of Arsenal’s interest in the Chelsea winger had prompted a backlash from a section of the Gunners supporters earlier this month.

A petition, titled #NoToMadueke, was signed more than 5,000 times and murals outside the club’s Emirates Stadium were vandalised with ‘Arteta out’.

Madueke becomes Arsenal’s fourth signing of the summer and second from Chelsea following the arrival of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Midfielders Christian Norgaard from Brentford and Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad have also joined while the club are also close to signing striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting and Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera.

BBC Sports

Open Championship 2025: Brian Harman takes one-shot lead at Royal Portrush

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Brian Harman, the 2023 Open Champion, heads into the weekend of the 2025 Open Championship with a narrow one-shot lead at 7-under par after Round 2 at Royal Portrush.

Harman’s consistent play has kept him ahead of a tightly packed leaderboard, as top contenders including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and local hero Rory McIlroy trail behind. Scheffler sits four shots back at 3-under, while McIlroy, still searching for momentum, is at 2-under, showing flashes of brilliance but yet to make a strong push.

China’s Haotong Li climbed to 6-under par, just one stroke off the lead, maintaining his form from a solid opening round. England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard remain well within striking distance, with Hatton at 5-under and Højgaard closing his round with a stunning 33-foot birdie on the 18th green.

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Chris Gotterup made headlines early in the round with an eagle on the par-five second hole, while Keegan Bradley posted the best score of the day—a 4-under 67—vaulting himself into contention.

McIlroy’s birdie on the 12th hinted at a possible weekend charge in front of his home fans, though he’ll need to find another gear to close the gap. Meanwhile, players like Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood experienced mixed rounds, with steady stretches offset by untimely errors.

The projected cut line hovers around +2, with several big names still battling to secure their spots for the weekend as conditions at Royal Portrush continue to challenge the field.

Stay with News Access NG for continued coverage of The Open Championship.

FAAN launches inter-regional sports to boost staff fitness, teamwork

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reiterated its commitment to enhancing staff wellness, unity, and productivity through sports, as it flagged off the maiden Inter-Regional Football Competition in Abuja.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, emphasized the importance of physical fitness and interdepartmental collaboration within the organization. Kuku, who was represented by Mr. Rindap Domtur, Acting Regional Manager, North Central, said the initiative is part of the authority’s broader strategy to promote workplace harmony and employee well-being.

“There’s an old saying: ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ It’s not every time we focus solely on work. While we carry out our duties, it’s equally important to keep fit and remain happy,” she said.

Kuku noted that football and other sporting activities encourage staff interaction across different regions, providing a unique platform for networking and personal development.

“By participating in football and other sports, FAAN workers can develop valuable skills, build meaningful relationships, and improve their overall well-being,” she added.

According to her, the sporting initiative has already begun to foster unity among staff, especially as it offers many employees from outstations their first opportunity to visit the nation’s capital.

Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Omotosho Oyinye, FAAN’s General Manager of Welfare Management Services and Chairperson of the Sports Committee, noted that beyond physical fitness, the programme also helps to build emotional resilience and mental toughness, which are critical to workplace productivity.

She acknowledged some initial challenges in coordination but said such hurdles were expected in events of this scale.

Read Also: BREAKING: Chelsea make history with 3-0 Club World Cup Triumph over PSG

“The minor issues we faced during preparation were not unexpected. For a programme of this magnitude, such challenges are part of the process,” she said.

Mr. Adeleye Taiwo, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, highlighted that this is the first time FAAN’s internal football competition is being extended beyond Lagos to involve regional airports.

“We’ve had this competition in Lagos for over 12 years, but the outstations were never included,” Taiwo said. “Now, with this inter-regional structure, we are discovering fresh talents across the country.”

Taiwo added that the competition, which began on July 13, will end on July 22, 2025, and also serves as a talent hunt ahead of the Federation of Civil Service Games, in which FAAN participates annually.

With growing enthusiasm among staff and more regions participating, FAAN’s sports initiative is poised to become a permanent fixture for promoting unity, wellness, and excellence across Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Stay tuned to News Access NG for continued coverage of FAAN events and public sector activities nationwide.

JUST IN: Liverpool’s Diogo Jota dies in road accident

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Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28 following a tragic car accident in Spain.

The crash occurred on the A-52 motorway, around kilometre 65, near Palacios de Sanabria in Zamora province.

According to Spanish sports daily MARCA, Jota lost his life at the scene.

Read Also: EPL: Haaland scores hat trick as Man City beat Ipswich 4-1

“Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota dies in a traffic accident in Zamora province,” the outlet reported in a statement on Thursday morning.

His 26-year-old brother, Andre, was also killed when their vehicle caught fire after the collision.

Born in December 1996, Jota first joined the Premier League on loan with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017 before signing for Liverpool, then league champions, in 2020.

2026 WCQ: Nigeria may qualify as South Africa risk losing 3 points

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Nigeria’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup could become easier amid reports that South Africa may be penalised for fielding an ineligible player during their 2-0 victory over Lesotho.

South African midfielder Teboho Mokoena had reportedly played in the match despite accumulating two yellow cards in the qualifiers—one against Benin on matchday one and another against Zimbabwe on matchday four.

FIFA and CAF regulations state that any player who receives two yellow cards in separate games must serve a one-match suspension. 

However, Mokoena was on the pitch for 82 minutes against Lesotho, potentially breaching this rule.

The controversy has raised concerns about South Africa’s adherence to qualification rules. 

While the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has not made an official statement, an investigation is expected. 

Read Also: Chelsea beat Brighton & Hove Albion

If South Africa is found guilty, they could lose the three points earned from the match.

FIFA’s disciplinary code mandates that players accumulating two yellow cards across different matches must miss the next fixture. Playing while ineligible could lead to disciplinary action, including match forfeiture.

In Mokoena’s case, his prior bookings should have ruled him out against Lesotho. If CAF confirms the rule violation, South Africa could forfeit the match, awarding Lesotho a default 3-0 victory.

If South Africa loses three points, it would significantly impact Group C’s standings, potentially giving Nigeria an advantage in the race for World Cup qualification.

With CAF’s decision pending, Nigerian football fans will be eagerly awaiting the outcome, which could reshape the Super Eagles’ chances of securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Raphinha earns 10-man Barcelona 1-0 win at Benfica

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Raphinha struck a second-half winner to give Barcelona a 1-0 victory at Benfica on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Barcelona’s teenage defender Pau Cubarsi was given a straight red card for a last-man foul on Vangelis Pavlidis in the 22nd minute.

But the visitors hung on with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny putting in a brilliant performance.

The Polish veteran pulled off a string of brilliant saves to keep Barca in the game and his effort was rewarded in the 61st minute when Raphinha pounced on a poor defensive pass across the Benfica box.

He then capitalised on the mistake, firing a low strike that deflected off a defender before going in just inside the left post.

The star of the show, however, was Szczesny, who came out of retirement to play for Barca after Germany international Marc-Andre ter Stegen sustained a torn knee ligament in September.

Read Also: Chelsea beat Brighton & Hove Albion

“Szczesny saved us many times today, he is outstanding,” Barcelona midfielder Pedri told Spanish TV station Movistar Plus.

“You have to give a lot of credit for the team’s effort after going a man down so early in the game. On other days it was harder for us but today we hung on and defended really well.”

Szczesny’s brilliant night started 30 seconds after kickoff, when Pavlidis recovered the ball and fed Kerem Akturkoglu inside the box and he fired a low strike that the 34-year-old keeper kept out with a one-handed save.

The Polish keeper ended up making eight saves, five of those in the second half when Benfica piled on the pressure with over 60% of possession and 15 goal attempts.

Barca had only a couple, with Raphinha netting with their only shot on target in the second half.

Szczesny’s magic included a stunning reflex save to deny Fredrik Aursnes from close range early on after the break and an excellent stop to palm away Renato Sanches’s bullet strike.

(Reuters/NAN)

Haaland signs new Manchester City deal until 2034

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Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has signed a new long-term deal with the club that will keep him at the Etihad until 2034.

The Norwegian joined City from Dortmund in 2022 and has scored 111 goals in 126 games for the club since.

The striker’s previous deal, which reportedly included a release clause, had been due to expire in 2027.

Haaland’s new deal would see the striker remain with City until his 34th birthday should he stay at the club until its expiry in nine-and-a-half years’ time.

“I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club,” said Haaland.

Read Also: EPL: Haaland scores hat trick as Man City beat Ipswich 4-1

“Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody.

“I also want to thank [manager] Pep [Guardiola], his coaching staff, my team-mates and everyone at the club as they have all helped me so much in the past couple of years.”

Txiki Begiristain, City’s director of football, said: “The fact he [Haaland] is signed for so long demonstrates our commitment to him as a player and his love for the club.”

BBCSport

FULL LIST: 24 qualified countries for AFCON 2025

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24 teams have qualified for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON 2025).

The tournament which will kick-off in December 2025, will be hosted by Morocco, who automatically qualify as the host nation.

The last three teams to book their spots are Mozambique, Botswana and Tanzania.

Here are 24 countries that qualified for AFCON 2025

1. Morocco (Hosts)

2. Burkina Faso

3. Cameroon

4. Algeria

5. DR Congo

6. Senegal

7. Egypt

8. Angola

9 Equatorial Guinea

10. Cote d’Ivoire

11. Uganda

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12. South Africa

13. Gabon

14. Tunisia

15. Nigeria

16. Zambia

17. Mali

18. Zimbabwe

19. Comoros

20. Sudan

21. Benin

22. Tanzania

23. Botswana

24. Mozambique

EPL: Tottenham thrash Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford

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In a Premier League showdown on Sunday, September 29, Tottenham Hotspur delivered a stunning performance, beating Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford.

This result marks a significant blow for United and a big boost for Spurs as they continue to battle in the league.

With an early goal and a decisive action, the match was filled with drama and tension.  

The match began with an electric atmosphere, and Tottenham wasted no time in taking control.

Brennan Johnson opened the scoring for the visitors just three minutes into the game.

A quick counterattack saw Johnson receiving the ball at the edge of the box before he drilled it past Manchester United’s goalkeeper.

The early goal set the tone for what would be a tough day for the home side, as United struggled to regain composure.

Manchester United, despite playing at home, appeared unsettled after conceding the early goal.

Their midfield was disjointed, and they struggled to break down a disciplined Tottenham defense.

Tottenham’s high press and quick transitions left United chasing shadows for much of the first half.

Read Also: EPL: Wilfred Ndidi’s own goal, Kai Havertz late strike earn Arsenal dramatic win

The game took a drastic turn when Manchester United captain, Bruno Fernandes, was sent off for a reckless tackle on Tottenham’s playmaker, James Maddison in the 42nd minute of play.

Being down a man significantly impacted Manchester United’s approach to the game. Erik ten Hag’s side had to adopt a more defensive strategy, sitting back and trying to absorb Tottenham’s pressure.

However, Spurs took full advantage of the numerical superiority, pressing United into their own half and creating more scoring opportunities.

The second half started with Tottenham continuing their dominance. Just two minutes into the second half, in the 47th minute, Dejan Kulusevski scored a brilliant second goal for Spurs.

With a two-goal lead, Tottenham were in full control of the match. Their midfield, led by Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski controlled possession and dictated the tempo.

Manchester United, already down a man, struggled to regain any foothold in the game, and the frustration was evident on the faces of the players and fans alike.

Tottenham’s victory was sealed when Dominic Solanke netted the third goal. In the 65th minute, after a defensive error by Manchester United, Solanke pounced on the loose ball and buried it in the back of the net. The goal highlighted United’s defensive frailties, with their backline being easily exploited throughout the match.

The 3-0 victory was a testament to Tottenham’s tactical discipline and their ability to capitalize on key moments. Manager Ange Postecoglou’s strategy of pressing high and exploiting United’s weaknesses proved to be a masterclass in game management. Spurs’ clinical finishing, combined with their solid defensive structure, ensured they left Old Trafford with all three points.

This victory propelled Tottenham to 8th place in the Premier League table, with 10 points. Although still behind Newcastle United, who sit at 11 points, Spurs are steadily climbing the ranks, and this result will undoubtedly boost their confidence. The win over a traditionally strong side like Manchester United sends a clear message that Tottenham are ready to compete at a high level this season.

After a slow start to the season, Tottenham are starting to build momentum. This victory could be the catalyst for a successful campaign, as they continue to find their form under new management.

With key players like Brennan Johnson, Kulusevski, and Solanke performing well, Spurs have the potential to challenge for a top-four finish.

For Manchester United, this defeat exposed their defensive vulnerabilities. The red card for Fernandes compounded their issues, but even before that, their backline looked shaky. Erik ten Hag will need to address these problems if United are to avoid slipping further down the table.

Beyond defensive issues, United struggled to create meaningful chances in attack. Without Fernandes pulling the strings in midfield, their forwards were starved of service. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were largely isolated, and Tottenham’s defense kept them quiet throughout the game.

Tottenham’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford was a statement win for Spurs and a troubling result for United. From Johnson’s early goal to Solanke’s clinical finish, Tottenham dominated the game and fully deserved the win. With United down to 10 men after Fernandes’ red card, Spurs were able to control the game and secure an important three points. As Tottenham move up the Premier League table, Manchester United face increasing pressure to solve their defensive and attacking woes.