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Blackpool Academy Learn Promotion Playoff Date as NLO Releases Fixtures

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Blackpool Football Academy have finally learned the date, venue and fixtures for the Nationwide League One (NLO) promotion playoff after the league organisers released the official schedule.

The Akwa Ibom champions will compete in the Slot 3 South-South promotion playoff, which will be played at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba, Abia State, from 7 to 11 August 2026.

The playoff had earlier been postponed after an appeal was filed by Jaguar FC following an NFF Disciplinary Committee decision on a protest involving Cynosure FC and a match between Abakaliki Feeders FC and Jaguar FC. The appeal forced the NLO to move the playoffs from the original dates of 29 July to 6–12 August, pending the outcome of the case.

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Blackpool Academy booked their place in the playoff after winning the Akwa Ibom NLO Centre. They finished above Blessed Stars on the final day after a 1-1 draw secured top spot. The Uyo-based side then defeated Cross River champions E-World FC on penalties to qualify for the regional playoff.

In Aba, Blackpool Academy will face OYC FC, De-Sapele Lions FC and Rolly FC in a round-robin competition, with promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL) at stake.

Slot 3 South-South Fixtures

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Day One – 7 August

  • Blackpool Academy vs OYC FC – 9:00am
  • De-Sapele Lions FC vs Rolly FC – 11:00am

Day Two – 9 August

  • OYC FC vs Rolly FC – 2:00pm
  • Blackpool Academy vs De-Sapele Lions FC – 4:00pm

Day Three – 11 August

  • De-Sapele Lions FC vs OYC FC – 10:00am
  • Rolly FC vs Blackpool Academy – 12:00pm

The matches will be played at the Enyimba Stadium, while Ginger Sam Stadium in Ntigha will serve as an alternative venue if simultaneous matches are needed to determine qualification.

Slot 4 South-East Fixtures

The NLO also released the fixtures for the Slot 4 South-East promotion playoff, which will also take place at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba.

Day One – 7 August

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  • Jaguar FC vs Right2Win FC – 4:00pm
  • Cynosure FC vs Ekomzy FC – 2:00pm

Day Two – 9 August

  • Cynosure FC vs Jaguar FC – 9:00am
  • Right2Win FC vs Ekomzy FC – 11:00am

Day Three – 11 August

  • Ekomzy FC vs Jaguar FC – 3:00pm
  • Right2Win FC vs Cynosure FC – 1:00pm

If there is a tie requiring simultaneous final matches, games will be split between Enyimba Stadium, Aba (Pitch A) and Ginger Sam Stadium, Ntigha (Pitch B).

With the appeal issue now settled and the fixtures confirmed, all eyes will be on Aba as clubs from the South-South and South-East battle for promotion to the Nigeria National League.

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Kyle Shanahan car accident: 49ers coach injured before camp

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The San Francisco 49ers have officially reported to training camp but will begin building the foundation for the 2026 campaign with their head coach limited. The team announced in a statement Saturday that Kyle Shanahan was involved in a car accident last week and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Shanahan, 46, will still participate in team activities, but on a limited basis. Assistant head coach Chris Foerster and the team coordinators will handle the bulk of the head coach duties while Shanahan recuperates. In a press conference on Saturday, 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters that he does not expect Shanahan to miss Week 1 of the regular season. 

Here is the full official statement from the 49ers:

“San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan was involved in a car accident last week where he suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Coach Shanahan will participate in team activities on a limited basis at the start of training camp while he recovers. Coach Shanahan and the 49ers organization would like to sincerely thank all first responders involved for their efforts and care.

Assistant Head Coach Chris Foerster along with team coordinators will handle head coach responsibilities during this period.”

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The accident occurred July 14 when Shanahan collided with an SUV near his Northern California home, per ESPN. While the injuries weren’t life-threatening, they were significant. ESPN reported that Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs and his hand, suffered a severe concussion and needed more than 40 stitches to his face.

Shanahan was taken by paramedics to a local hospital and released later that day. The other driver was not injured, according to Palo Alto Lt. Nicholas Martinez. He also told ESPN that drugs and alcohol were not involved, and both drivers cooperated with law enforcement.

Since the crash, Shanahan has been recovering at home and informed the coaching staff of the incident on Tuesday. He has yet to be cleared by doctors for full coaching duties and won’t be until his concussion symptoms subside.

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, who worked with Shanahan when they were assistants in Washington, said he’s spoken to the 49ers coach since the car accident. McVay, a fellow NFC West coach, said Shanahan has a great perspective on the accident and on his recovery. 

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“I have talked to him. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and I know he’s got an incredible perspective on it all. And Kyle’s a stud. I have as much respect for him as anybody and he’s a friend of mine, and I love him and hope that he’s going to have a great recovery,” McVay said.

McVay expressed gratitude that the accident didn’t have a worse outcome and noted that Shanahan’s approach to his recovery is similar to how coaches run a team.

“Most importantly, thank God he and the other person involved are okay. Perspective is everything. We talk about that all the time as coaches, and everybody goes through different things,” McVay said. “I think the most important thing is that he’s on the road to recovery. His wife Mandy, and he’s got a beautiful family, and I think any time that something like that happens, it shakes you up a little bit.”

Shanahan is entering his 10th season as the 49ers’ head coach. Since being hired in 2017, he has become one of the league’s top coaches, compiling an 82-67 (.550) regular-season record and a 9-5 playoff mark. Under his leadership, San Francisco has made two Super Bowl appearances and is coming off a 12-5 regular-season campaign in 2025 that ended with a divisional-round loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

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Former NFL Passer Gives Embattled Vikings QB Some Film Room Praise

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NFL: Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos
Sep 15, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Chase Daniel (4) in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Former NFL passer Chase Daniel is now working as an analyst.

The long-time journeyman will be as qualified as essentially anyone to comment on the intricacies of the position. After all, Daniel soaked up a ton of coaching across the NFL, a workplace where he operated from 2009-2022. Better yet, Daniel worked alongside some of the great passers in recent NFL history. Very few know more about the position than him.

The Vikings Game on Sunday Will Probably Be Wild
Nov 20, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley (center) talks with quarterback Justin Herbert (10) and quarterback Chase Daniel (4) in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Consider the teams he played for within his time as a player: Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Chargers.

Nobody thinks he was as talented as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, or Patrick Mahomes. He nevertheless had an ability to stick around as a passer as somebody with more NFL addresses than a cat has lives.

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In the above video, Chase Daniel offers some nice praise to J.J. McCarthy despite the poor mechanics.

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— READ MORE: The Main Vikings Injury Concern in Training Camp
— READ MORE: Kevin O’Connell Has Consistently Praised 2 Coaches
— READ MORE: Vikings Fans Got Some Bad News Today

In particular, note the placement of the ball, something that Daniel discusses. To my eye, McCarthy could have done a hair better by putting the ball slightly closer to the middle of the field, but that’s a very minor quibble. The kid did a great job on that one.

As the former NFL passer indicates, the form still wasn’t perfect. Chase Daniel notes the leg kicking up, robbing the young fella of the power he could generate. How much more accurate could McCarthy be with his feet underneath him?

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy in Green Bay in 2025
Nov 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.

The Vikings’ young fellas arrive at TCO Performance Center today. The nine-person draft class will be joined by a pile of undrafted players. In a couple of days, the rest of the team will arrive, meaning Vikings football really gets cooking on July 28th.

J.J. McCarthy, 23, is considered an underdog to remain as the QB1.

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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Tim Tszyu reveals what Errol Spence Jr told him after retirement defeat

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Tim Tszyu defeated Errol Spence Jr in Sydney, Australia, this weekend, prompting the American to announce his retirement from boxing.

Spence ended three years of inactivity to return at middleweight, but looked a shadow of his former self as he bravely lasted the full 12 rounds in a wide unanimous decision defeat.

Tszyu gradually took control, using his size and steady pressure to wear Spence down over the course of the contest. After the fight, the 36-year-old from Dallas, Texas, confirmed his retirement, thanking fans and saying he felt fortunate to leave the sport with his “faculties intact”.

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“I’ve got my faculties intact. My money is good at working for itself. Everything’s good, man.

“I’ve got a beautiful family, and I thank God I’m gracious to leave this sport with my faculties intact and my family still by my side.”

Speaking after the fight, Tszyu revealed he took the opportunity to ask the “legend” Spence for some advice before the pair went their separate ways.

“Yeah, I spoke to him. Look, he’s a legend of the game. I actually asked him what’s one tip that you would give? He goes, ‘stay patient, when you’re not rushing in, you’re very dangerous. When you wait, you’re a very good counter puncher, and you’ve got very fast hands, very reactive.’”

Tszyu confirmed he now intends to remain at middleweight after feeling the benefits of competing without a gruelling cut to 154lbs. While a world title is now firmly in his sights, the Australian admitted defeating a fighter of Spence’s calibre may ultimately stand as the finest win of his career.

“I had sleepless nights thinking about, ‘What am I going to feel like facing a legend like that?’ But it was one hell of a show, and I understand why he’s one of the greats.

“I’d love to fight for a title. That’s what I’m aiming for. But I’ve got to say beating a great like Errol Spence tops a world title.”

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Yankees place Cody Bellinger on 10-day injured list with hamstring injury

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The New York Yankees will be missing yet another one of their top bats for the foreseeable future.

Star outfielder Cody Bellinger has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, the team announced Sunday.

Outfielder Spencer Jones has been recalled from triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move.

Bellinger suffered the injury in Saturday’s win over the Philadelphia Phillies. He was replaced defensively in the bottom of the eighth after tweaking his left hamstring while legging out a double in the top half of the frame. He stayed in the game to run but eventually was taken out for Max Schuemann.

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Bellinger was 2-for-4 with an RBI in the game before leaving.

The 31-year-old is in the midst of another strong season with New York. The 2019 NL MVP entered Saturday’s contest slashing .257/.349/.416 with 11 homers and 52 RBIs. He was also named the All-Star Game MVP.

The Yankees currently sit second in the AL East with a 59-45 record, despite being without key contributors Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton for significant portions of the season.

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Usyk predicts Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury after watching AJ be floored twice by Kristian Prenga

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After seeing Anthony Joshua suffer two knockdowns against Kristian Prenga, Oleksandr Usyk has delivered a knockout prediction for the Brit’s expected clash with Tyson Fury.

Their long-awaited heavyweight showdown is set to finally materialise later this year, with both former two-time world champions having completed their respective warm-up fights.

First to the stage was Fury, who encountered minimal difficulty as he banked seven rounds against the 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, on Friday.

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But while Joshua, too, was seemingly facing a low-risk opponent on Saturday evening, the 36-year-old came remarkably close to suffering a first-round stoppage defeat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The initial knockdown arrived within 20 seconds of their contest, with ‘AJ’ hitting the canvas after getting caught with an unassuming right uppercut from Prenga.

He was then floored once more in the opening round, only to summon enough fighting spirit to engineer a second-round stoppage victory.

It was hardly the most convincing performance but, even so, Usyk has backed the 36-year-old to defeat Fury inside the distance.

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Speaking with talkSPORT, the Ukrainian maintained his belief that Joshua, who he now considers a friend and training partner, has the tools to trump his long-time domestic rival.

“AJ win. [He will] knock him out.”

Usyk dethroned Joshua with a unanimous decision victory in 2021, before winning their immediate rematch via a split verdict the following year.

The generational great then went on to score two points wins over Fury in 2024, with many viewing their contests as being more competitive than those against ‘AJ’.

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Canada’s Felix Dolci claims men’s gymnastics silver at Commonwealth Games

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Canada’s Félix Dolci won silver in the men’s gymnastics all-around final Sunday at the Commonwealth Games, earning his second medal of the competition.

Dolci scored 79.450, coming within two tenths of gold-medallist Reuben Ward of host Scotland at Glasgow International Arena. Australia’s Jesse Moore took bronze (79.000).

Dolci, a 24-year-old from Laval, Que., helped lead Canada to gold in the men’s team event on Friday when he topped the individual standings with a score of 81.650.

Canada also won silver in the women’s gymnastics team event on Saturday.

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Canada now has five medals at the Games — one gold, two silver and two bronze — heading into Sunday’s swimming finals.

Five-time Olympic medallist Kylie Masse of LaSalle, Ont., goes for gold in the women’s 100-metre backstroke, while Toronto’s Joshua Liendo competes in the men’s 100 butterfly and 50 freestyle finals.

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5 biggest delinquents after the 2026 Hungarian GP

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The F1 penalty points system has been put in place to keep the driving standards in the sport above a certain level. These were introduced in 2014 after the driving standards took a dip in the early 2010s, and there were quite a few incidents on the track. We even had Romain Grosjean getting banned in 2012 for the first-lap incident in Belgium.

As part of the Penalty Points system, drivers are given points based on the severity of their transgressions. These transgressions could be dangerous driving, causing a collision, etc. These points stay with the driver for 12 months, after which they expire.

Any driver who ends up accumulating 12 F1 penalty points faces a race ban. As we get ready to move on from the F1 Hungarian GP, who are the biggest delinquents on the grid? Let’s take a look.

F1 Penalty Points: Who is close to a ban?

#1. Ollie Bearman

Penalty Points: 4

Ollie Bearman now has 4 F1 penalty points to his name.

  • One point: Change of direction while defending during the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP (expires on December 7, 2026).
  • One point: Causing a collision with Liam Lawson at the 2025 Brazilian GP sprint (expires on November 8, 2026).
  • Two points: Causing a collision with Carlos Sainz at the 2025 Italian GP (expires on September 7, 2026).

#2. Kimi Antonelli

Penalty Points: 3

Kimi Antonelli has three F1 penalty points on his superlicense.

  • Two points: Causing a collision with Charles Leclerc in the 2025 F1 Dutch GP (expires on August 31, 2026)
  • One point: Forcing another driver off the track at the 2025 F1 Italian GP (expires on September 7, 2026)

#3. Lewis Hamilton

Penalty Points: 3

The seven-time F1 champion was issued a penalty point for his incident with Franco Colapinto. He’s now at 3 points.

  • One point: Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto during the 2025 F1 Brazilian GP (expires on November 9, 2026)
  • Two points: for failing to slow down under yellow flags during a reconnaissance lap prior to the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix (expires on August 31, 2026)

#4. Alex Albon

Penalty Points: 3

Alex Albon has three penalty points on his license.

  • One point: Causing a collision with Lewis Hamilton at the Las Vegas GP (expires on November 23, 2026)
  • Two points: Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto at the Azerbaijan GP (expires on September 21, 2026)

#5. Lance Stroll

Penalty Points: 3

Lance Stroll is currently at three F1 penalty points on his license.

  • One point: Change of direction while defending during the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP (expires on December 7, 2026).
  • Two points: Causing a collision with Esteban Ocon at the US GP sprint (expires on October 18, 2026)