Shakhtar Donetsk to Play Champions League Home Games at Stamford Bridge

Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk will play their home matches in this season’s UEFA Champions League at Stamford Bridge, the home ground of Chelsea.

The arrangement comes after Chelsea failed to qualify for European competition following a disappointing 2025/26 campaign, leaving Stamford Bridge available for Shakhtar’s Champions League home fixtures.

Chelsea confirmed the agreement, saying the club was pleased to provide Shakhtar with the opportunity to host their European matches in London.

“Given Chelsea FC’s disappointing 2025/26 season and failure to qualify for European football, the club is pleased to provide FC Shakhtar with the opportunity to play in London,” Chelsea said.

The Premier League club added that Shakhtar had previously played their home matches in different countries across Europe and said it looked forward to welcoming the Ukrainian side to London for their Champions League campaign.

Chelsea also said it would work closely with Shakhtar in the coming weeks to ensure that matchdays are conducted safely and smoothly for both the Ukrainian club and its supporters.

Shakhtar welcomed the agreement, describing the opportunity to play their Champions League home fixtures at Stamford Bridge as a special one.

“Playing our Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge is a special opportunity for Shakhtar. We are grateful to Chelsea Football Club for the opportunity to host our games at this special venue,” the Ukrainian club said.

Shakhtar added that Stamford Bridge’s history and atmosphere would provide a memorable experience for both Ukrainian and English supporters.

“Stamford Bridge is one of the most famous stadiums in world football, with an incredible history and atmosphere. We are convinced that Shakhtar’s matches in London will provide unforgettable emotions for Ukrainian and English fans,” the club said.

The decision continues Shakhtar’s long-running search for suitable venues outside Ukraine amid the ongoing war, which has prevented the club from regularly hosting European fixtures at its traditional home.

Stamford Bridge will therefore provide the Ukrainian champions with a high-profile London base as they begin their latest Champions League campaign.

Manchester United, Tottenham Suffer Shock Defeats as Premier League Opening Weekend Delivers Drama

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have endured disappointing starts to the 2026/27 Premier League season after both clubs suffered heavy defeats on Saturday.

Manchester United were stunned 2-0 by newly promoted Hull City, while Tottenham were beaten 3-0 away by Brentford in a damaging opening-day result for new manager Roberto De Zerbi.

The results capped a dramatic Saturday in the Premier League, with promoted sides making a strong impression and several established clubs dropping points.

Manchester United’s defeat at Hull was particularly unexpected. Hull, returning to the Premier League after nine years away, produced a disciplined performance and secured their first league victory over United in 52 years. Semi Ajayi opened the scoring before Nobel Mendy added a second, with both goals exposing problems in United’s defending from set pieces. 

United dominated possession but struggled to turn that control into meaningful attacking opportunities. The defeat represents an early setback for Michael Carrick, who had guided the club to a third-place finish last season and entered the new campaign with renewed optimism. 

For Hull, however, it was a dream return to the top flight and a statement victory against one of England’s biggest clubs.

Tottenham’s opening-day experience was even more emphatic. Spurs were beaten 3-0 by Brentford, with Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode finding the net as Brentford produced a dominant performance.

Tottenham also missed a penalty through Igor Thiago, adding to a frustrating afternoon for De Zerbi in his first Premier League match in charge. 

The result leaves Tottenham with plenty to address after a summer of significant squad investment, while Brentford immediately move to the top end of the early table.

Earlier on Saturday, newly promoted Ipswich Town also enjoyed a winning return to the Premier League, defeating Sunderland 2-1. Jack Clarke scored a late winner against his former club to give Ipswich all three points.

Leeds United also secured an impressive away victory, beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 through a late Anton Stach free-kick. The defeat spoiled Oliver Glasner’s first Premier League match as Forest manager.

Everton began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, with Thierno Barry among the scorers as David Moyes’ side secured their first opening-day win in five years. 

Arsenal had already made a strong statement on Friday night, defeating newly promoted Coventry City 3-0 to begin their title defence in convincing fashion. 

The opening weekend will continue on Sunday with three matches, including Bournemouth against Manchester City and Newcastle United against Liverpool. Aston Villa will also visit Brighton & Hove Albion.

With several of the weekend’s biggest teams yet to play, the opening round is already providing an early reminder that the new Premier League season could produce plenty of surprises.

For Manchester United and Tottenham, however, the focus will now turn to recovery after both clubs suffered defeats that were far from the expected starts to their campaigns.

The 2026/27 Premier League season only began this weekend, but the opening results have already created questions for some of the league’s biggest clubs.

Victor Osimhen Climbs to Third on Galatasaray’s All-Time Foreign Scorers’ List

Nigeria international Victor Osimhen has moved into third place on Galatasaray’s all-time list of highest-scoring foreign players after another impressive performance for the Turkish champions.

Osimhen scored twice on Friday night as Galatasaray defeated Erzurum FK 4-0, taking his goalscoring tally for the club to 62 goals in 76 appearances.

The brace moved the 27-year-old past former Czech Republic international Milan Baros, who scored 61 goals during his time with the Istanbul club.

Osimhen has also provided 16 assists since joining Galatasaray, further highlighting his impact since arriving at the Turkish giants.

The Nigerian striker now has only two players ahead of him on Galatasaray’s all-time foreign scorers’ chart.

Argentine forward Mauro Icardi currently leads the list with 77 goals, while Romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi occupies second place with 72 goals.

Osimhen’s latest achievement means he is now just 10 goals behind Hagi and 15 goals away from matching Icardi’s record. The Nigerian forward is also enjoying a remarkable start to the new Süper Lig campaign.

With his latest brace, Osimhen became the first Galatasaray player since Brazilian striker Mario Jardel in the 2000/01 season to score at least four goals across the club’s opening two league matches of a season.

The milestone adds to Osimhen’s growing list of achievements at Galatasaray and further strengthens his place among the club’s most prolific foreign players.

His continued goalscoring form has also increased expectations that he could challenge the two players ahead of him on the club’s historic scoring chart if he maintains his current form.

Osimhen’s latest performance comes as Galatasaray continue their title campaign, with the Nigerian striker once again proving central to the club’s attacking ambitions.

History Made! Cameroon Crowned WAFCON Champions After Crushing Malawi 3-0

 

Cameroon have been crowned champions of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating tournament debutants Malawi 3-0 in the final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Sunday. 

The Indomitable Lionesses produced a dominant first-half display, scoring all three goals before the break to secure their first-ever continental title.

Marie Ngah opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Naomi Eto doubled Cameroon’s advantage nine minutes later. Ngah then completed her brace in first-half stoppage time to send Cameroon into the interval with a commanding 3-0 lead. 

Malawi, who were appearing in their first-ever WAFCON tournament, struggled to find a response after the break. Despite attempts to threaten the Cameroonian defence, the Lionesses maintained their advantage and preserved the clean sheet to complete a historic triumph. 

The victory ends a long wait for Cameroon, who had previously reached the WAFCON final three times but lost all three to Nigeria in 2004, 2014 and 2016. Their latest success finally delivers the trophy that had repeatedly eluded them. 

Cameroon also become only the fourth nation to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, joining record champions Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa. 

For Malawi, the defeat does little to diminish what has been a remarkable campaign. The tournament debutants exceeded expectations by reaching the final and securing a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup through their historic run. 

The 2026 WAFCON, hosted in Morocco, brought together 16 of Africa’s top women’s national teams. The final brought together two sides seeking history, but it was Cameroon who ultimately delivered a commanding performance to claim the continental crown. 

For the Indomitable Lionesses, the 3-0 victory marks a new chapter in Cameroonian women’s football and ends years of near misses on the biggest stage in African women’s football.

Leicester City Put Up for Sale by King Power After 16 Years

Leicester City’s remarkable 16-year era under the Srivaddhanaprabha family could be coming to an end, with the club’s owners reportedly putting the English side up for sale for more than £200 million.

King Power, the Thai retail and travel group that has owned Leicester since 2010, is understood to have begun the process of finding new investors after a dramatic decline in the club’s fortunes.

The news comes just months after Leicester suffered a second successive relegation and dropped into League One, the third tier of English football. The relegation was confirmed in April following a 2-2 draw against Hull City. 

The fall is a stark contrast to the extraordinary success Leicester enjoyed under the Srivaddhanaprabha family.

After King Power took control of the club in 2010, Leicester secured promotion to the Premier League in 2014 before producing one of the biggest shocks in football history by winning the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season.

The club went on to establish itself as a regular Premier League side and later won its first FA Cup in 2021.

However, Leicester’s fortunes changed dramatically in recent years. The club was relegated from the Premier League in 2023, returned to the top flight after winning the Championship in 2024, and was relegated again in 2025.

The latest campaign proved even more damaging, with Leicester dropping straight through the Championship into League One.

The club also faced significant financial problems. Leicester received a six-point deduction in February 2026 after an independent commission found the club had breached the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. 

The financial difficulties have added to the pressure on the ownership. Reports say King Power has engaged investment bank Citigroup as it explores potential buyers for the club. 

The proposed asking price is reportedly above £200 million, although the final value of any transaction could depend on negotiations and the club’s current financial and sporting position. 

The potential sale would bring an end to one of the most memorable ownership stories in modern English football.

The late Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha became one of the most popular club owners in English football during Leicester’s rise. His death in a helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium in October 2018 was a major loss for the club and its supporters.

His son, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, subsequently took over the club’s leadership.

Following Leicester’s relegation to League One, Aiyawatt accepted responsibility for the club’s situation and apologised to supporters, promising to make the necessary decisions to rebuild Leicester and restore the standards expected of the club. 

King Power has not publicly confirmed all the details surrounding the reported sale, but the development signals a potentially significant turning point for Leicester City.

For a club that went from Championship football to Premier League champions within six years, its current position in League One represents a dramatic reversal of fortunes.

If a buyer is eventually found, the next owner will inherit a club with a famous history, substantial infrastructure and a passionate fan base, but also the difficult task of rebuilding Leicester from the third tier.

Chelsea Give Man City Friday Deadline to Sign Enzo Fernández for £120m

Chelsea have reportedly given Manchester City until Friday to meet their £120 million valuation for Enzo Fernández.

Chelsea have given Manchester City until 5pm on Friday to make a £120 million offer if they want to sign midfielder Enzo Fernández this summer. 

The Blues have reportedly communicated their valuation and payment terms to City, making it clear that they will not entertain a deal below the £120 million mark.

Manchester City have been exploring a move for the Argentina international, with talks reportedly taking place with the player’s camp for several days. City are considering Fernández as they assess their midfield options amid uncertainty surrounding Rodri’s future. 

Chelsea, however, are understood to be relaxed about the situation. Their position is straightforward: meet the £120 million valuation by the Friday deadline or Fernández stays at Stamford Bridge.

Sky Sports reports that Fernández has six years remaining on his Chelsea contract, giving the London club a strong negotiating position. 

The 25-year-old joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for a British-record fee of £106.8 million at the time. He has since established himself as one of the club’s most important midfielders. 

A potential move to Manchester City would also reunite Fernández with Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with him at Chelsea and is now City’s manager. Maresca is reportedly interested in bringing the Argentine midfielder to the Etihad. 

City’s interest is also linked to the uncertainty around Rodri. Barcelona have been pursuing the Spanish midfielder, with reports indicating that City are demanding a significantly higher fee than Barcelona’s current offers. 

That situation could potentially accelerate City’s pursuit of Fernández, but the financial demands involved would make the deal one of the biggest transfers of the summer.

Chelsea have also reportedly made it clear that if City fail to meet the deadline, they have no intention of selling Fernández during the current transfer window. 

With Friday’s 5pm UK deadline approaching, the next move now rests with Manchester City.

If City meet Chelsea’s £120 million demand and agree the necessary payment terms, Fernández could be on his way to the Etihad.

If they don’t, Chelsea’s current position is that the Argentine midfielder will remain at Stamford Bridge.

Messi Mourns Father, Reveals How His Final World Cup Was a Promise to Him

Lionel Messi has opened up emotionally about the final World Cup he played after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, revealing that his decision to compete was deeply connected to his father’s wishes and worsening health.

Jorge Messi, who was 68, died in Rosario, Argentina, on August 7 after battling an illness. He had been one of the most influential figures in Lionel Messi’s life and career, serving not only as his father but also as his longtime representative and adviser. 

Messi returned to Rosario following his father’s death to mourn him and attend his funeral, before returning to the United States. 

In his first major public reflection since his father’s passing, the Argentine superstar looked back at the difficult period surrounding the World Cup and explained how much his father’s encouragement meant to him.

Messi revealed that his father had repeatedly asked him to play in what turned out to be another major World Cup campaign.

“Dad, you kept asking me to play in one last World Cup… just days before it began was when your condition got worse,” Messi recalled.

The situation became even more painful because it was the first tournament in which his father was not expected to be there with him.

Messi said his mother continued to reassure him that Jorge would recover and might eventually become well enough to travel and watch him play.

The football icon said he kept telling his father that Argentina would reach the World Cup final, making that objective feel like a personal mission.

“I kept telling you we were going to reach the World Cup final so you could make the trip, this was my mission once again,” Messi said.

But as the tournament progressed, the reality of his father’s condition became increasingly difficult to ignore.

After every match, Messi said he found himself waiting for a message from his father.

That was when he began to understand how serious the situation had become.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about going as far as possible, give you more time and the chance to watch one of the games,” he recalled.

Argentina eventually reached the final, but Jorge was unable to make the journey.

For Messi, the final carried an additional emotional weight. He wanted to win the trophy and take it back to his father, giving him another World Cup triumph to celebrate. But Argentina ultimately lost the final to Spain 1-0.

Messi also admitted that his body had struggled throughout the tournament.

“My legs just couldn’t give me any more,” he said, explaining that he had tried to push himself beyond what his body could handle.

The 39-year-old revealed that he never truly felt physically right during the competition, despite his determination to continue.

Argentina’s run to the final therefore became more than a football campaign for Messi. It was also an attempt to fulfil a promise he had made to his father.

Although he did not get the opportunity to hand Jorge another World Cup trophy, Messi said the journey still had enormous meaning.

“We didn’t become champions Dad, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match,” he wrote.

He also acknowledged that his father had been right to insist that he participate.

“Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play in it… as you told me, always,” Messi said.

The tribute comes as Messi also considers his own future in football. Following his father’s death, he has admitted that he now has serious doubts about how much longer he wants to continue playing. Reuters reported that Messi said his father’s absence has left him questioning his future in the sport. 

Jorge was not simply Messi’s father. He had been a central figure throughout the footballer’s journey, from his early days in Rosario to his rise into one of the greatest footballers in history. He also served as Messi’s representative and adviser for much of his career. 

Messi’s latest message therefore carries a significance beyond the World Cup. It is a farewell to the man who stood beside him throughout his journey and a reflection on one of the most emotionally difficult periods of his career.

For years, Messi’s achievements on the pitch have been closely connected to the support of his family. Now, following Jorge’s death, the footballer is facing a new chapter without one of the people who had been with him from the beginning.

And while Messi’s future in football remains uncertain, he has made one thing clear: his father’s influence on his life will continue long after his playing career comes to an end.

TIB, MCC Celebrate Solidarity Through Football as Novelty Match Ends in Laughter, Camaraderie

The TIB All Stars (MCC) Team, before the commencement of the competition (Photo Credited: AyoDaReporter)

What began as a friendly football showdown between comrades ended as a memorable celebration of friendship, solidarity and movement spirit as members of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement and the Maximum Comfort Comrades (MCC) squared off in an entertaining novelty match held on Saturday, 25th of July, 2026 at Goodwin Turf, VGC area of Lagos State.

The five-a-side encounter was reportedly organised to honour and welcome Comrade Olawale Adebayo, popularly known as “Mandate,” a prominent Osun-based activist and leader of the Take It Back Movement, who recently returned to Nigeria from abroad.

The match brought together some of the movement’s most prominent leaders and grassroots organisers in what participants described as a refreshing break from the constant demands of activism.

The MCC side featured an array of veteran activists and political leaders, including the National Chairman of the Take It Back Movement, the former African Action Congress (AAC) Lagos State Chairman, the Chairman of the AAC in Oyo State and several other senior comrades who have played key roles in the movement over the years.

On the opposing side, the TIB Osun Comrades were led by Mandate himself, alongside the former AAC Lagos State Youth Leader, the National Treasurer of the African Action Congress and other comrades from Osun State.

The match got off to an exciting start as the TIB team stunned their more experienced opponents by scoring the opening goal just minutes after kick-off, raising hopes that they could pull off an upset.

However, the early lead proved short-lived.

The MCC All-Stars quickly found their rhythm, taking control of the game with slick passing, clinical finishing and coordinated teamwork. Goal after goal followed as the experienced side overwhelmed their opponents in an entertaining contest that kept spectators cheering throughout.

By the final whistle, the scoreboard read 9–4 in favour of the Maximum Comfort Comrades, highlighting their dominance despite the spirited performance from the Osun-based TIB side.

In the spirit of comradeship and unity that defined the event, organisers jokingly declared the encounter a “draw,” turning what could have been an embarrassing defeat into another moment of laughter among friends and fellow activists.

Beyond the goals and competition, the novelty match underscored the importance of building stronger relationships within progressive movements outside the usual atmosphere of protests, meetings and political mobilisation.

Participants described the event as a reminder that activism also requires moments of relaxation, recreation and fellowship to strengthen bonds among comrades.

The atmosphere after the match was filled with laughter, photo sessions and conversations, as players from both teams celebrated the success of the event regardless of the result.

The excitement generated by the encounter has already sparked calls for more sporting engagements among activists.

Following the match, the members of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Oyo State publicly challenged the AAC Lagos State chapter to another friendly football showdown, raising expectations that a new inter-state rivalry could soon be added to the movement’s calendar.

If accepted, the proposed fixture is expected to bring together activists from both states for another day of football, friendship and solidarity.

For many who witnessed Saturday’s encounter, the novelty match demonstrated that while comrades remain committed to advocating for justice, accountability and social change, they also recognise the value of taking time to unwind, strengthen friendships and celebrate one another beyond the frontlines of activism.

Watch Full Video : https://youtu.be/RfxQXSLHuWY?si=FzdA1Ykz6Tjfv2fK