Pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino intensified on Tuesday, with opposition emerging from within world football’s governing body as well as from external critics over his since-abandoned proposal to open the World Cup to private investment.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, appointed in 2019 by Infantino as FIFA’s chief of global football development, said in a statement on Tuesday that “the decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question”.
His remarks followed hot on the heels of an extraordinary internal email to FIFA staff, seen by AFP, in which secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom appeared to distance himself from Infantino on the issue.
Previously seen as close to Infantino, Grafstrom describes the fiasco surrounding the plan as “a sad and reproachable series of events”.
Advertisement
To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement.
One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site.
He adds: “Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue.”
FIFA had floated the plan last Tuesday, saying it could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for a new commercial subsidiary, called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which it proposed would run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.
Advertisement
By Saturday it was dead in the water as Infantino announced the humiliating climbdown after widespread condemnation, as UEFA wielded the nuclear option of boycotting all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
Far from calming the waters or shoring up his presidency, Infantino has been swamped with criticism of his style of leadership and a previously smooth path to being re-elected unopposed to a fourth and final term next March in Rabat now looks a very rocky one indeed.
That is a problem down the road. For now, he has others to confront.
Even though he had withdrawn the scheme, UEFA issued a letter through their lawyers in the US threatening legal action over what they had scathingly described as a “shabby, backroom, opaque deal”.
Advertisement
Both Grafstrom and Wenger as well as chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who had slammed the plan on Friday, are mentioned in the letter as being knowledgeable about the FFE and instructed to keep all “relevant materials”.
“Dear Mr Infantino. UEFA hereby gives formal notice that it is actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints (together, the ‘Proceedings’) arising out of and in connection with the FFE plan proposed by FIFA and all related matters as further described below,” their lawyer Andrew Levander said in the letter sent last Friday and seen by AFP.
“You and FIFA are required to take immediate steps to identify, locate, and preserve all documents and electronically stored information described in this Notice that are in your or FIFA’s possession, custody, or control.
To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement.
Advertisement
One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site.
Cover image: Infatino faces biggest crisis in FIFA REUTERS – Denis Balibouse
“These obligations arise independently of any internal retention policy you or your organization maintain and supersede any routine document destruction or deletion policies that would otherwise apply.”
Several of UEFA’s member associations – Wales, Finland, Sweden and Serbia – have withdrawn their letters of support for Infantino and the English FA is strongly rumoured to be on the verge of also joining them.
The scant comfort for Infantino came from a handful of supporters, including 2030 World Cup co-hosts Morocco, as well as Kuwait, Qatar, where he has a house, and Lebanon, which granted him honorary citizenship in February.
Advertisement
However, it is the damning remarks by both Wenger and Grafstrom – who shadowed Infantino throughout the World Cup – that will twist the knife further.
Their criticism only adds to the impression that Infantino has lost the confidence of even his closest FIFA collaborators.
One of the most devastating blows to Infantino’s plan was the resignation on Friday of his special advisor Carlos Cordeiro, who is also close to US President Donald Trump.
Advertisement
Despite what UEFA’s lawyer wrote regarding keeping material pertinent to FFE, Wenger claims to have only learned about it through the media.
“I was not involved in this strategic plan,” the 76-year-old Frenchman said.
Grafstrom, for his part, tried to cheer up the staff by congratulating them on their work while admitting it had been “an extraordinary and challenging week”.
For Infantino, the challenge threatens to grow, and his stated purpose when he ditched the plan, to unite football, seems unlikely to be realised while he remains president.
Watch as SunRisers Leeds hit a Hundred record of 21 sixes in their sensational innings at Headingley against London Spirit, with outstanding batting performances from Mitch Marsh, Ryan Rickelton and Harry Brook.
Cape Verde’s veteran goalkeeper Vozinha arrived in Chile on August 2nd to join first division club Colo-Colo, the Chilean football club announced on August 3rd. The 40-year-old has joined on a six-month contract, with the possibility of a one-year extension. Chilean media said he was likely to make his debut on August 16. The goalkeeper acquired a cult following during the FIFA World Cup, where his heroics helped Cape Verde reach the round of 32.
After the defeat against Cardiff, Roma responded in the best possible way and cruised past Newport with a clear 4-1 win. It was a poor first half, with the Giallorossi first surviving a strike off the woodwork by Beggins before taking the lead right at the end of the half thanks to Hermoso.
In the second half, Gasperini’s side shifted gears and ran away with it: Castro doubled the lead from the penalty spot, Koulierakis celebrated his first goal in a Giallorossi shirt, and Soulé put the seal on the victory. Late on, Cameron scored a consolation goal for Newport, but it did not change the substance of a test comfortably dominated by Roma.
Advertisement
Now focus turns to the next fixtures, with Gasperini’s team set to face Brighton (August 8 at 15:00) and then Borussia Dortmund (August 15 at 17:30).
Advertisement
4️⃣ Roma hit four! Soulé makes it 4-0
Roma put the game completely to bed through Matias Soulé who, in the 81st minute, made it 4-0 at the end of one of his trademark moves: he collected Hermoso’s assist, cut inside, and then unleashed a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
A few minutes before the final whistle, there was also joy for Newport, who got their consolation goal through Cameron.
🤩 Koulierakis gets on the scoresheet too! The Greek makes it three
Gasperini’s side stepped things up and, in the 58th minute, made it 3-0 through another new signing, Konstantinos Koulierakis, who arrived in the capital from Wolfsburg.
The move came from a corner on the left. Dybala and Castro combined, the former delivered a cross for Koulierakis bursting into the box, and the Greek made no mistake with his header to score his first goal in a Roma shirt.
Advertisement
⚽️ Roma double their lead! Castro makes it 2-0 from the spot
After providing the assist for Hermoso’s opener, Santi Castro also got to celebrate his first Roma goal. In the 53rd minute, it was Hermoso himself who won a penalty, which was awarded despite protests from the Newport players.
The former Bologna man kept his cool and scored Roma’s second with a precise shot tucked into the goalkeeper’s left-hand corner.
🔥 Hermoso breaks the deadlock: Roma lead 1-0
Just before the end of the first half, Roma took the lead through Hermoso from an assist by new signing Castro. The Giallorossi worked it well down the left, the ball went to Castro who played a low cross into the middle, Cristante dummied it, and Hermoso arrived to slot it home almost like a moving penalty.
💨 Newport start fast! Crossbar and a superb Svilar save
The first half began shakily for Gasperini’s team who, fielding an all-first-choice lineup, faced Newport County, a team from England’s fourth tier. The capital club were looking to bounce back after their 4-1 defeat to Cardiff.
Advertisement
Advertisement
After just 4 minutes, Newport threatened through Biggins, who tried to catch Svilar off his line. The ball struck the top part of the crossbar and went behind. Ten minutes later, Roma were in danger again following a defensive lapse, but a timely intervention from the Giallorossi goalkeeper preserved the score.
✅ Official lineups: Castro starts
Santiago Castro and Bah both start, while the attacking midfield line is entirely left-footed with Dybala and Soulé.
WWE SummerSlam was filled with enthralling matches and moments as we witnessed the end of the Shield storyline, in addition to the culmination of the feud between Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar. While Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins will never wrestle each other again, it turns out that Lesnar will not wrestle anyone ever again.
The Beast Incarnate faced Oba Femi at SummerSlam, in what was the third match between the two powerhouses. The Ruler got the win in the culmination match to win the feud 2-1, after which he also earned the Beast Incarnate’s respect.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
There were speculations of Brock Lesnar retiring after SummerSlam, and now the Beast Incarnate has officially confirmed the news. During an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, the 7-time WWE Champion made it clear that he won’t don his wrestling boots again:
Advertisement
“I’m here today to do this interview to let the world and everybody know that I’m retired. I want to say a big thank you to everybody. Saturday was a very emotional day for me. When Oba Femi slammed me at WrestleMania, I was like, ‘I can’t do this again. I think I am done.’ Saturday for Brock Lesnar, that’s it. That’s it for me in the squared circle and everything else too.”
Lesnar also thanked the fans who have been with him throughout his journey:
“I just want to give a shoutout to everybody on this universe that has followed me since I was a little kid, all the way to Saturday. I was just a farm kid from South Dakota with a big dream, and a big heart and a big a** chip on my shoulder. I am just grateful.”
Brock Lesnar has been moved to the alumni section of WWE.com
Before Brock Lesnar’s official announcement about his future, WWE moved him to the alumni section of their website, which further fueled the rumors of his retirement. However, with the Beast Incarnate himself confirming his in-ring status, all speculations have been put to rest.
Brock Lesnar joined WWE in 2000, without any prior pro wrestling experience. He made his TV debut in 2002, alongside Paul Heyman. The duo took the wrestling world by storm as Lesnar became one of the most dominant stars of all time.
The Beast Incarnate left the global juggernaut in 2004; he returned eight years later. He has competed sporadically since then and won multiple titles. However, his wrestling chapter was closed on Saturday, when he suffered a loss to Oba Femi.
Advertisement
Why did you not like this content?
Advertisement
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
Get all the hottest wrestling news FIRST by clicking here
Washington Commanders cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon is retiring from the NFL at 31 years old.
The team announced Tuesday that they placed Witherspoon on the Reserve/Retired List and signed cornerback Fabian Moreau to take his place. Witherspoon practiced Monday and informed the team Tuesday morning that he was retiring, according to ESPN.
Witherspoon signed a one-year, $1.41 million contract with the Commanders in May but will not suit up for them this fall.
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (4) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Dec. 7, 2025.(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Witherspoon played college football at Colorado, where he starred as a defensive back. In 37 games, he recorded 71 tackles, three interceptions, 27 passes defended, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.
In his senior year, Witherspoon led Division I college football with 22 passes defended. The San Francisco 49ers selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and he became a key piece in their secondary.
Washington Commanders cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon participates in a drill on the first day of training camp at BigBear.ai Performance Center at Commanders Park in Ashburn, Va., on July 29, 2026.(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
He started 33 of the 47 games he played with the 49ers, recording 117 tackles and four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, with 24 passes defended.
After four years with the 49ers, Witherspoon signed with the Seattle Seahawks, only to be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers before ever suiting up for them. He spent the next two seasons in Pittsburgh.
Witherspoon played in 13 games with the Steelers, starting seven of them. He recorded 35 tackles and four interceptions over his two seasons.
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Dec. 22, 2024.(USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
After two years in Pittsburgh, he then signed what would become the first of three consecutive one-year contracts with the Los Angeles Rams. The best season of his career came in his first year with the Rams, when he started all 17 games and recorded 52 tackles and three interceptions.
For his career, Witherspoon started 64 of the 96 games he played in, recorded 243 tackles, 13 interceptions and 60 passes defended.
The first two times the Los Angeles Dodgers lost four consecutive games this season, they were able to avoid a fifth straight defeat. On this occasion, they’re hoping the newest member of their starting rotation can help prevent their longest skid of 2026.
Tarik Skubal makes his Dodgers debut when Los Angeles (69-44) visits the Chicago Cubs (64-49) at 8:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series at Wrigley Field. The two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner takes the mound for the first time since being acquired from the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Skubal, who is set to become a free agent at season’s end, won four of his last five decisions with Detroit and allowed three runs or fewer in each of his past six starts. Los Angeles is looking for another strong performance from the left-hander after suffering its fourth loss in a row, a 10-5 setback in Monday’s series opener.
Despite their current slide, the two-time reigning world champions Dodgers own a nine-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West. Chicago, which has alternated wins and losses over its last seven contests, trails the first-place Milwaukee Brewers by 5.5 games in the NL Central but has a four-game lead for the top wild card berth.
Advertisement
The Cubs trailed 3-0 before their first at-bat on Monday but scored twice in each of the first three innings to take a lead they would not surrender. Michael Bush and Carson Kelly both homered and drove in three runs while Kevin Alcantara and Seiya Suzuki also went deep for Chicago, which bolstered its pitching staff before the trade deadline earlier in the day with the additions of Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, Braxton Garrett and reliever Ryan Zeferjahn.
Tuesday’s MLB schedule features 14 other games, including a matchup between the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates (57-57) and major league-best Brewers (69-43) at 7:40 p.m. ET at American Family Field. The Pirates, who are 3.5 games back in the NL wild card race, built a four-run lead and held on for a 4-3 triumph in the opener of the four-game set.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Angels (43-69) and Baltimore Orioles (54-58) begin their three-game series at 6:35 p.m. ET at Camden Yards. The major league-worst Angels ended their five-game losing streak with a 3-0 victory over Milwaukee on Sunday, while the Orioles were outscored 13-0 in back-to-back setbacks against the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend but are just 2.5 games out of the third and final wild card spot in the AL.
Advertisement
A pair of hot NL East clubs square off Tuesday as the division-leading Atlanta Braves (67-45) host the Miami Marlins (58-55) at 7:15 p.m. ET for the opener of their three-game series at Truist Park. Atlanta has recorded five consecutive victories and Miami has won three straight and six of seven after enduring a franchise-record 12-game losing streak.
The Dodgers are massive -214 favorites against the Cubs in the latest consensus MLB betting odds, while the Brewers are -142 favorites against the Pirates. The Orioles are -151 favorites over the Angels at sports betting apps and the Braves are -144 favorites against the Marlins.
Below is a snapshot of what to watch and bet for Tuesday, Aug. 4. All times Eastern
Scoring has been an issue for the Orioles lately, as they were shut out in each of their last two games. They collected a total of seven hits in those contests, albeit one was a rain-shortened loss in which they only had five innings of at-bats. In addition, two of their last four victories were one-run decisions. The Angels are coming off a shutout win against the Brewers, and the SportsLine Projection Model believes they’ll at least keep the score close Tuesday as they cover the run line in 65% of its simulations. Los Angeles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez has worked more than 5 1/3 innings in just one of his 10 starts this season. SportsLine props expert PropBetGuy (66-41, +1512 on his last 107 MLB player prop picks) doesn’t feel he’ll accomplish the feat in his first turn against his former team.
Marlins at Braves
Time: 7:15 p.m. | Location: Atlanta | TV: MLB.TV | Stream:Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine picks — Model: Marlins +1.5 (-169) | Expert: Braves ML (-149, Matt Severance)
Advertisement
The Braves have won six straight and eight of nine at home but four of the last seven victories were by just one run. The Marlins have scored at least five runs in four of their last seven contests and given up fewer than three in each of their past three. The SportsLine Projection Model doesn’t see a blowout win by Atlanta as its simulations have Miami covering the run line 63% of the time. SportsLine expert Matt Severance (152-86-2, +1685 on his last 240 MLB picks) is backing the Braves to extend their winning streak to six games as Marlins starter Ryan Gusto has posted a 6.23 ERA on the road this season.
The Pirates and Brewers have combined for eight or more runs in only three of their first seven encounters this season. The NL Central rivals produced a total of seven runs in the opener of this four-game series, but the SportsLine Projection Model thinks they’ll rack up at least eight on Tuesday as the Over hits in 73% of its simulations. Milwaukee’s Logan Henderson has recorded seven or more strikeouts in five of his last eight starts and eight of his 14 career turns in the majors. PropBetGuy likes him to do so against the Pirates, who have the fifth-highest strikeout rate against right-handers this year.
Dodgers at Cubs
Time: 8:05 p.m. | Location: Chicago | TV: TBS | Stream:Fubo (Try for free)
After hitting just one home run in their three-game series against the New York Yankees this past weekend, the Cubs belted four over the first five innings of Monday’s series opener. Skubal, who is making his first career start at Wrigley Field in his Dodgers debut, has served up 10 blasts in his first 16 turns this year after allowing 18 in 31 outings last season. He permitted four runs in two of his three career starts against the Cubs. The Dodgers have allowed at least eight runs three times during their current four-game slide, and the SportsLine Projection Model thinks the Cubs will hand them their season-high fifth consecutive defeat as its simulations have them winning 53% of the time.
Keyshawn Davis pulled out of an in-demand showdown with WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney last week, and now Haney’s most fierce rival and fellow welterweight ruler Ryan Garcia has offered his thoughts on that decision to withdraw from the bout.
Davis was vocal about his ambition to face Haney when named as the Californian’s mandatory challenger and it seemed as though the fight was all but confirmed when the bout went to purse bids, as Top Rank won the rights to promote the event.
Speaking to FightHype, Garcia admitted that he was ‘disappointed’ upon hearing the news and labelled Davis as a ‘big talker.’
“I was disappointed in that. I mean, I think that is a clear chance to have one of those wins that sets you up for big, huge paydays. The two-million or whatever he got offered was already more than he has ever made before, so what exactly are you looking for? For you to be overpaid?
“I think that everybody has to go through certain fights and key moments to get them to the top. I think that he wants to go a different route, I think that he possibly started realising that he might have bitten off more than he can chew for that price range.
“I don’t think that, for him, it made sense but it just shows you that a lot of people are big talkers – they don’t really want to do it, when it comes down to it.”
Haney is now being mentioned for a potential unification with newly-crowned IBF world titleholder Liam Paro, which could see Haney fight on Australian soil for a third occasion, four years on from his two victories over George Kambosos Jr. in Melbourne.
Christian Darrisaw on Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates his rushing touchdown during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings are back to work, with training camp well underway, and one of the best sights so far is a happy and healthy Christian Darrisaw getting to work without any limitations.
Christian Darrisaw’s Big Claim Would Be A Huge Boost For Vikings
Darrisaw missed the start of last season due to still being on the road to recovery from a knee injury that occurred during the 2024 season. When he returned he didn’t look right and wasn’t the dominant tackle we had been used to seeing on the left side of the Vikings’ offensive line. His knee was visibly still a problem, with stiffness leading him to sit out practices, and at times going through pre-game fitness checks to see if he could play.
Nov 7, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks to pass as offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) blocks Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images.
Eventually, he ended up back on injured reserve to finish the season. It was a bitterly disappointing end to the year for both Darrisaw and the team, as Darrisaw had proved himself to be one of the best tackles in the game before this knee injury stopped him in his tracks.
Health has been an issue for Darrisaw ever since the Vikings drafted him with the 23rd overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Fully healthy and at his best, Darrisaw has shown that he is right up there with the likes of Penei Sewell and Tristan Wirfs. However, injuries have been a regular occurrence that have held him back. He only played in 10 games last season, but even more concerning was that he only played in 100% of snaps in half of those. The offensive line is not an area where players rotate in and out through choice.
Advertisement
Sep 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
Asked if he expects to play every snap going into the start of this season, Christian Darrisaw said: “100%. That’s the goal. Just go out there and dominate.” That is welcome news for Minnesota as whoever winds up being the Vikings quarterback will greatly benefit from a fully healthy Christian Darrisaw protecting the blindside. Speaking to the media during training camp Darrisaw has claimed he “feels the best I’ve felt in two years,” and that he is “just feeling like myself”. Great news for anyone associated with Vikings football
A Healthy Christian Darrisaw Can Be the Catalyst For a Dominant OL
Minnesota invested heavily in their interior offensive line last year since a poor performance was a big reason they were dumped out of the playoffs in 2024. Will Fries was signed to a huge contract and Donovan Jackson was drafted in the first round to give the Vikings two new guards. Ryan Kelly was added to give the team a solid veteran presence at center. Adding that trio to a very good pair of tackles in Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill was supposed to solve the Vikings’ problems.
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Will Fries (76), offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) and fullback C.J. Ham (30) celebrate after a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
That’s not what happened.
Kelly had recurring concussions that led to his retirement, Jackson had some early injury trouble but overall a solid rookie campaign. Fries struggled to live up to his price tag – though he was the only lineman who managed to stay healthy for all 17 games. We have touched on Darrisaw’s issues and O’Neill had knee and heel injuries that caused him to miss three games and he had to play through the pain in others. A fully healthy Darrisaw helps his teammates. He can be left one-on-one with any edge rusher, leaving help for extra help at other points of the line.
Minnesota recently extended Brian O’Neill’s contract ensuring the Vikings duo will stay together for the next few seasons.
Advertisement
A big key will be getting the play on the interior somewhere near the standard the Vikings have on the edge. Development from Jackson and Fries will be important as will the success (or not) of the move of Blake Brandel to starting center. Brandel has been a solid depth player who could play all across the OL but now he is being entrusted with one of the most important positions in the game.
Minnesota Vikings offensive linemen Donovan Jackson and Christian Darrisaw align at U.S. Bank Stadium, with Sept. 21, 2025 placing the first-half scene in Minneapolis against the Cincinnati Bengals. The two blockers settle in before the snap as Minnesota’s offensive front prepares to handle Cincinnati’s rush during an early home matchup that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
First and foremost, a fully healthy Christian Darrisaw would be the key that makes the rest of the OL, and ultimately the offense, work. There could be no bigger boost for Minnesota than Darrisaw back at 100%.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
Katsina United have announced the signing of former Akwa United captain Ubong Essien, popularly known as Kante, ahead of the 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
The defensive midfielder has signed a two-year contract with the Katsina-based club as he begins a new chapter in his career.
Ubong was the captain of Akwa United during the 2025/2026 season, when the Uyo-based club competed in the second tier of Nigerian football.
Advertisement
His move to Katsina United will see him return to the NPFL as he looks to bring his experience and leadership to the team.
The 2026/2027 season will not be his first experience of life in northern Nigeria. Having grown up in the North, Ubong is familiar with the weather, culture and language, which should make it easier for him to settle into his new environment.
Katsina United unveiled Ubong alongside a number of other new signings during a ceremony at the club’s secretariat inside the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
Advertisement
The club’s Chairman and Supervising Coordinator, Surajo Malumfashi, expressed confidence in the quality and experience of the new players.
He said the recruitment was part of the club’s efforts to build a competitive squad capable of achieving its targets in the new season.
Other players unveiled by Katsina United include goalkeeper Koroma Francis, striker Samson Obi, midfielder Michael Ibeh Okoro, defender Eric Ekpere, central defender Chinedu Ozor Benjamin, striker Lius Dadong, goalkeeper Kolawale Oladipo, winger Joshua Akpan, left-back Emmanuel Bakare and central defender Abba Musa.
Most of the new players have signed two-year contracts, while Lius Dadong has agreed to a one-year deal.
Advertisement
For Ubong Essien, the move represents another opportunity to continue his football career at the highest level in Nigeria after captaining Akwa United in the second tier last season.
Coach Paul Offor of Akwa United FC and Ubong Essien during the 2025/2026 NNL season
Katsina United will be hoping the experience and leadership of the former Akwa United skipper can help the club make a strong push in the 2026/2027 NPFL season.
The U.S. Women’s Amateur assembles one of the strongest fields in amateur golf. The 126th championship at The Honors Course continues that tradition, bringing together 156 players from 16 countries and 33 states to compete for one of the game’s most prestigious titles.
As we’ve seen year after year, there is no single path to the U.S. Women’s Amateur — and this year’s field reflects that. Junior champions, collegiate standouts, seasoned amateurs and international contenders have all earned their place in Tennessee.
This week, the average age of competitors is just 19.9 years old, although the field spans five decades — from 14-year-old Maggie Jiayi Ma to Australia’s Sue Wooster, who is 64.
The championship’s international reach is just as evident, with players representing 16 countries, including Canada, Australia, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. While players from 33 states make up the U.S. contingent, with California leading the way with 25 entrants, followed by Florida (13) and Texas (11).
Advertisement
Experience and pedigree are abundant too. Rianne Malixi, the 2024 winner here, headlines a group of nine USGA champions in the field, joined by reigning U.S. Girls’ Junior champions Aphrodite Deng and Clairey Lin. Accomplished veterans like Lara Tennant and Dawn Woodard bring multiple USGA titles of their own, while seven Curtis Cup players, five members of the U.S. National Junior Team and five athletes from the USGA’s Elite Amateur Program further illustrate the championship’s depth.
The world’s top amateurs are equally represented. Twelve players ranked inside the top 20 of the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking are in the field, led by NCAA champion Farah O’Keefe and fellow top-20 players Asterisk Talley, Soomin Oh, Jasmine Koo and Malixi. Former NCAA champ and Stanford star Rachel Heck is also teeing it up.
You can watch this week’s event on Golf Channel. The TV schedule is below.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login