Sports Zone 04-07-2023

Enjoy the crew banter and discuss different stories around the world.

- The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), yesterday, threatened to shut the doors to the 2023 World Championships billed for Budapest, Hungary, against any foreign-based athlete who fails to show up for the national trials in Benin City, Edo State.

Novak Djokovic dried the court with his towel and urged the crowd to "blow" in a farcical rain delay as his Wimbledon title defence began with a win.

Tiger Woods, who had remained quiet regarding the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger, took to Twitter on Sunday to deny ever seeing the controversial document placing him at a players meeting during the 2022 Travelers Championship.

- Barcelona Femini of Spain striker, Asisat Oshoala said that the Super Falcons of Nigeria are highly motivated ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.

In a bid to return to the summit of football refereeing, 115 Nigerian referees have been selected to undergo a 15-day intensive training from FIFA referring instructors.

- Sporting Lagos, have gained promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League, thanks to a 2-0 win over Stormers FC in their second game of the Nigeria National League playoffs in Asaba on Monday.

- Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong has completed a summer transfer to PAOK Thessaloniki FC of Greece from English Championship side Watford.

- Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr have signed Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan for a reported 18m euros.

- Chelsea have been "the greatest team in England" over the past 10 to 15 years, according to new manager Mauricio Pochettino.

- Refereeing evolves, changes and attempts to adapt to what soccer demands. At least that's what IFAB, a body dependent on FIFA and responsible for everything involving refereeing, does. Gianni Infantino has given a lot of prominence to the IFAB and its sometimes risky decisions.

- Michael Jordan finally spoke about his son Marcus' relationship with Larsa Pippen, ex-wife of his Chicago Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen, MJ confessed that he doesn't approve of the courtship.