Z-PRO MEDIA

Newcastle United's England winger Anthony Gordon will have a medical in Barcelona on Thursday before a possible ‌80 million euro ($92.88 million) move to the Spanish champions, British media reported. Sky Sports television showed footage of the 25-year-old player boarding a private jet and said an ⁠announcement could come on Friday or at the weekend. Gordon has had the best season of his career, netting 17 times for Newcastle across all competitions including 10 goals from 12 games in the Champions League, and is in England's World Cup squad. Gordon stilas ⁠four years on his contract, according to media reports, after joining in January 2023 and signing a long-term extension in October 2024. But Newcastle ⁠have failed to qualify for European competition next season, finishing 12th in the Premier League. Newcastle manager ⁠Eddie Howe recognised this month that Gordon might have played his final game for ⁠the club after Bayern Munich expressed an interest, before Barcelona then s...

... Stakeholders stunned by ruthless qualification marks, warn Nigeria may miss out  ...AFN Vice President appeals to sponsors as standards trigger fear   By Maxwell Kumoye and Trust Ittai      The road to the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing has become a battlefield long before the starter’s gun sounds and across Nigeria’s athletics community, the newly released qualifying standards are already triggering fierce debate, anxiety and soul-searching. From federation executives to veteran journalists and athletics commentators, one message rings loudly, the standards are brutal, cruel, unforgiving and capable of exposing the deep structural cracks within Nigerian athletics. A leading voice within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Akuchukwu Chineze Aghazu, did not mince words when reacting to the marks set by World Athletics. “It’s crazy, crazy standards. I don’t know how they expect legitimate athletes to meet those standards without dop...

  Bologna have mutually parted ways with manager Vincenzo Italiano, the club announced on Thursday amid Italian media reports linking ‌him with a move to fellow Serie A side Napoli. Former Fiorentina coach Italiano had joined Bologna in 2024 and led them to their first Coppa Italia title in 51 ⁠years in his debut season. Bologna finished eighth in Serie A this season, and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League. "Italiano has informed the club that he considers his time at Bologna to be over, following two seasons marked by excellent results, regardless of any future ‌career ⁠prospects," Bologna said in a statement. "The club would like to thank Vincenzo for the passion and dedication with which he has carried out his work ⁠over the past few years, which will remain in the club's history." Napoli, who finished second in Serie ⁠A, confirmed the departure of manager Antonio Conte earlier this week. Local media reports have also linked ⁠former AC Milan coac...

  Shohei Ohtani did not allow a hit over six innings on the mound and added a leadoff home run from the batter's box as the Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to five games with a 4-1 victory over the visiting Colorado ‌Rockies on Wednesday. Ohtani and Will Klein held the Rockies without a hit through seven innings before Tyler Freeman singled to right field with two outs in the eighth against Tanner Scott. Kyle Hurt finished off the combined one-hitter with a perfect ninth inning to earn his first career save. Ohtani hit a leadoff home run during his second consecutive pitching start. Freddie Freeman also went ⁠deep in the opening inning before Andy Pages homered in the eighth for Los Angeles, which has won 12 of 14 games overall. Ohtani (5-2) battled his command, issuing four walks, allowing a run and plunking a batter, but he struck out seven in his 99-pitch outing. His season ERA rose from 0.73 to 0.82. Rockies starter Tomoyuki Sugano (4-4) gave up three runs on ...

  Scotland manager Steve Clarke has signed a new contract to remain in charge through to the 2030 men's World Cup, the Scottish Football Association said on Thursday. Clarke, the country's most successful coach, ‌will continue in the role beyond the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and will also lead Scotland's campaign at Euro 2028, which will be co-hosted by Britain and Ireland. The extension provides continuity for a side preparing for their first World Cup appearance in ⁠28 years, with Clarke having overseen qualification for consecutive European Championships and next month's global tournament. "I am truly honoured to lead my squad into our first men's World Cup in 28 years and I'm proud to continue as head coach," Clarke said in a statement. "I know the Scotland supporters appreciate the achievements of this group in qualifying for back-to-back EUROs and equally sure the whole nation rejoiced in our qualification f...

  Arsenal's long road back to Europe's top table reaches its defining night on Saturday as they face Paris St Germain in the Champions League final, chasing a first crown that would seal the renaissance engineered by Mikel Arteta. The London club held off Manchester City to claim a first Premier League crown for ‌22 years last week, finally shedding the 'nearly men' tag that had weighed on Arteta's shoulders. With the suffocating pressure of trying to deliver the Premier League title now released, they will seek a glittering 'bonus' trophy that would see them surpass even the legend of Arsene Wenger's 2003-04 Invincibles. They face a formidable challenge in Budapest against Luis Enrique's outstanding PSG team -- a rare blend of eye-catching flair, intelligence and hard graft. Just as in 2006 when they lost to Frank Rijkaard's Barcelona in ⁠their only previous appearance in the final, Arsenal will start as slight underdogs. But no one should be in...

  By Maxwell Kumoye     All roads lead to Edo State this Saturday as the 11th Okpekpe International 10km Road Race prepares to deliver another thrilling spectacle, with over 50 elite athletes from across the globe expected to battle for glory in West Africa’s premier Gold Label road race. Technical Director and General Coordinator of the race, Olympian Yusuf Alli, says preparations have entered top gear, with athletes already arriving in Nigeria ahead of what promises to be one of the biggest editions in the event’s history. Speaking in an exclusive chat with Sportsville, the former Nigerian long jump star revealed that organisers have been working around the clock to ensure a seamless and world-class competition. “The athletes started arriving from across the world on Monday, May 25th, ahead of the race this weekend,” Alli disclosed. “As we speak, all the technical areas have been perfected and our personnel are working tirelessly to ensure we achieve a great...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye        The Executive Director of Sports Development and Operations at the Edo State Sports Commission, Sabrina Chikere, has commended the Federal Government and the Edo State Government for their growing commitment to the welfare, education and future of Nigerian children as the nation marked the 2026 International Children’s Day celebration. Speaking during the Children’s Day celebration, Mrs. Chikere described Nigerian children as “the heartbeat of the nation’s tomorrow,” insisting that every child deserves quality education, protection, opportunities and a safe environment to thrive. She particularly applauded the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating people-oriented policies aimed at improving the lives of young Nigerians. “Our children deserve the very best from their parents, government and even the corporate sector because they are the future of this nation. What the Federal Government is doing toda...

  The Netherlands' top scorer Memphis Depay and Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber were both included on Wednesday in the country's squad for next month's World Cup despite concerns over their fitness. The 32-year-old Depay, whose 55 goals are the most for the Dutch, ‌has been struggling with thigh and calf injuries and made only two substitute appearances for his Brazilian club Corinthians in the past two months. The Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, who is to give a press conference later on Wednesday, also picked Timber, who returned to training at his club this week ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final. The 24-year-old was forced off in the ⁠win over Everton in mid-March and subsequently missed Arsenal's last 14 games in all competitions with a groin problem. Justin Kluivert has also been given a vote of confidence despite knee surgery in January and only two substitute appearances for Bournemouth since completing his rehabilitation. Kluivert was among the first p...

 Germany players will not be focusing on the World Cup just yet at the start of preparations, coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Wednesday, with a family atmosphere in their training camp a key prerequisite for success. Germany, who face Curacao, Ecuador ‌and Ivory Coast in Group E at the World Cup starting next month and co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, have set their sights on a fifth title after shock first-round exits in the past two editions in 2018 and 2022. The Germans have not reached the final of any major event since winning their last World Cup in 2014. Most of ⁠the national team players started arriving this week as the Germans launched their preparations on home soil until their departure for the United States in early June. "The next step is decisive, the next task is decisive. So the (friendly internationals) against Finland and then the United States," Nagelsmann told a press conference. "They (players) have to focus on what they can influe...

  Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into the Indian Premier League final with a commanding 92-run win over Gujarat Titans in qualifier one, powered by captain Rajat Patidar's unbeaten 93 that moved the defending champions closer to a ‌second successive title. Chasing 255 – the highest target in IPL playoff history – Gujarat never took off and were bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs, unable to keep pace against Bengaluru's clinical bowling. Put into bat, Bengaluru dominated the powerplay to reach 76-1 before Krunal Pandya and Patidar capitalised on favourable batting conditions at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in the ⁠foothills of the Himalayas. Gujarat, however, did not help their cause, putting down chances and conceding easy runs through sloppy fielding. "I don't think our fielding was at par, dropping a couple of catches, and then our ground fielding was not up to the mark," Gujarat captain Shubman Gill said at the post-match pres...

  Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie will lead the United States at the World Cup after head coach Mauricio Pochettino named his 26-man squad on Tuesday for a tournament the Americans hope will produce a deep run on home soil. The squad is evenly ‌split between 13 World Cup debutants and 13 players who featured at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where the U.S. reached the last 16. That group includes the team's three goalscorers from Qatar: Pulisic, Tim Weah and Haji Wright. "We are confident this is the best group of 26 players to help us achieve success at the World Cup," Pochettino said in a statement. "These were very difficult decisions, and we are thankful ⁠to all the players who were part of this journey. This group is very focused and ready to give everything they have to represent the United States and deliver performances that will make the fans and the country proud." Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan, remains the team's most recognisa...

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might not have liked the way he started on Tuesday night. But the Oklahoma City Thunder star came up big in the second and third quarters -- getting plenty of help from the cast around him -- as the Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 at home to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals. "I thought we were first to the fight tonight on both ends and I thought we weren't the other night," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "I just loved the way we ‌approached tonight on both ends of the floor." Oklahoma City will have a chance to close out the series in Game 6 Thursday in San Antonio. It was a rough start for Gilgeous-Alexander, who missed his first four shots and had three first-quarter turnovers. "If it was four or five me's out there, we would've been down 20 after the first quarter," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Probably should never start like that again." But even with the back-to-back Most Val...

...Hails Soludo’s sports reforms   By Maxwell Kumoye   The Executive Board of the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA), has announced June 30, 2026, as the date for its general election following a virtual meeting held on Tuesday, May 26. In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the board said the decision became necessary as the tenure of the current administration will officially end on July 27, 2026. The board also directed the ANSFA Electoral Committee to immediately begin all necessary preparations to ensure a credible, transparent, peaceful, and hitch-free election in line with existing statutes and regulations. During the meeting, the Association commended His Excellency governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for what it described as visionary leadership and renewed commitment to sports development in the state. The board specifically praised the governor for re-establishing the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, noting that the move would si...