Author: robin24

Screengrab of the plane.© X (formerly Twitter) The plane carrying the Nigeria team from South Africa to Uyo for their final World Cup qualifier was forced to make an emergency landing in Angola on Saturday, the Nigeria team’s media representatives said. The aircraft took off from Polokwane in South Africa and made a scheduled refuelling stop in the Angolan capital Luanda before heading for southern Nigeria. But 25 minutes into that journey, the pilot was forced to return to Luanda “after a heavy crack on the aircraft’s windshield distorted what had started as a smooth flight”, the Super…

File photo of Max Verstappen© AFP Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen says he is staying with the Red Bull team next year, ending months of speculation over his future. “Some people just like to stir the pot, some people just like to create drama. But, for me, it’s always been quite clear, and also for next year,” the four-time champion said Thursday ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. “I’m discussing with the team already the plans — the things that we want to change for next year, so that means that I’m also staying with the team for…

World number one Carlos Alcaraz said Wednesday that he will have to prepare for a new and improved Jannik Sinner after beating his great rival in the US Open final. Italy’s Sinner admitted he needed to overhaul his “predictable” game after losing to Alcaraz in New York earlier this month in the latest of a string of recent defeats to his Spanish nemesis. Alcaraz is playing at the Japan Open in Tokyo this week, while Sinner will compete at the China Open in Beijing in his first appearance since the US Open. Alcaraz said he would need to…

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has revealed the names of three cricketers who were killed in a tragic attack in eastern Paktika province, near the Pakistan border. (AFP Photo) NEW DELHI: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has revealed the names of three cricketers who were killed in a tragic attack in eastern Paktika province, near the Pakistan border. The players, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, had travelled from Urgun to Sharana, the provincial capital, to take part in a friendly cricket match. After returning home, they were targeted during a gathering in what the ACB described as “a cowardly…

Italy beat Estonia 3-1 in Saturday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier in Tallinn before a Group I fixture with Israel which will be flanked by pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Pio Esposito were enough for Italy to move three points ahead of Israel in second place, which offers a play-off spot for qualification to the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Gennaro Gattuso’s team are on 12 points, six behind group leaders Norway who have a goal difference which is 19 superior to Italy’s and are all-but guaranteed a place at the World Cup.…

Hungary: Charles Leclerc on Thursday welcomed the “important” Ferrari announcement that Fred Vasseur had signed a new multi-year deal to continue as boss of the Italian team.  Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, the Monegasque driver stressed that it was important for Ferrari to end the rumours surrounding the Frenchman’s future.  “It’s not that it’s coming as a surprise, but I’m really happy,” said Leclerc.  “Especially, during the past month, there were quite a few rumours as is always the case around the team. “So, finally to have the official news out is important and for that…

Jannik Sinner said Wednesday he has been making changes to his game and “reflecting a lot” ahead of his first appearance since losing the US Open final to Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian failed to defend his title in New York this month after Alcaraz emphatically overpowered him in four sets and snatched back the world number one ranking. Four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner said afterwards he would need to be more unpredictable in his play if he was going to beat his rival from Spain.  “We’ve been reflecting a lot,” the 24-year-old Sinner said in Beijing, where he…

File pic – Afghanistan cricket team (AFP Photo) NEW DELHI: Afghanistan have withdrawn from a tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month following the killing of three local cricketers in an attack, the country’s cricket board confirmed on Friday. According to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the players had travelled from Urgun to Sharana in eastern Paktika province, near the Pakistan border, to participate in a friendly match.The ACB stated that “after returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering” in what it described as “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”Pakistan-Afghanistan Clashes: Heavy…

Inter Miami CF secured a resounding 4-0 win over Atlanta United FC in the team’s last 2025 regular season home and final regular season fixture at Chase Stadium. A brace from Icon of the match Lionel Messi, and goals from left back Jordi Alba and forward Luis Suarez led the team to victory. At the other end of the pitch, Rocco Ríos Novo delivered a solid performance in goal with three saves as he recorded a clean sheet. Additionally, Messi’s performance saw him make MLS history, as he became the first player in MLS history to produce nine…

File photo of Fernando Alonso.© AFP Fernando Alonso missed the first practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday because of a back injury and is in doubt for the race itself. Aston Martin said in a post on X that the two-time Formula 1 champion “has been managing a muscular injury in his back” since last week’s Belgian Grand Prix. Alonso was replaced by reserve driver Felipe Drugovich, who was 16th fastest in the first practice session, just over .3 of a second slower than teammate Lance Stroll. The team said Alonso was continuing treatment before…