Sports Zone 01-07-2024

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

- The Nigeria Stallions faltered at the Africa Men’s Sevens 2024 tournament on Saturday, winning one of three matches on Day One of the Africa Men’s Sevens tournament at the Labourdonnais Stadium in Port-Louis, Mauritius.

- Officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) have expressed their joy over the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissal of the appeals filed by World Athletics (WA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against Tobi Amusan.

- Noah Lyles kept his hopes for the sprint double at the Olympics alive on Saturday night, coming from behind to win the 200m at the US track trials in 19.53 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year.

- Kishane Thompson became the joint-ninth fastest man in history after running the 100m in 9.77 seconds to win the men’s 100m at the Jamaican Olympic trials.

- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone lowered her world record once again, running the 400m hurdles in 50.65 seconds on Sunday at the US Olympic trials.

- Alex Pereira continued his imperious reign as champion as he knocked out Jiri Prochazka to retain his light-heavyweight title at UFC 303 in Las Vegas.

- George Russell won the Austrian Grand Prix after a collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris while they were fighting for the lead.

- The newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League side, El-Kanemi Warriors, have won this year’s President’s Cup by defeating Abia Warriors 2-0 in the final at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, on Saturday.

- Abia Warriors goalkeeper, Ali Ishaku, will be presented the best goalkeeper award of the 2024 President Federation Cup at the Nigeria Football Federation office in Abuja, as well as the N1m prize money after the goalkeeper was controversially denied the plaque following an error by the announcer during the final at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos on Saturday, The PUNCH reports.

- Former Nigeria and Barcelona winger Emmanuel Amuneke is set to return to coaching after a year away from the sidelines

- After departing his position as the Super Eagles coach, Finidi George is on the verge of returning to coaching in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

- Nigeria international Anthony Okpotu continues his foreign adventure as he secured a move to the Saudi Arabia League.

- Italian side Juventus have completed the £42.35m (50million Euros) signing of Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.

- Barcelona announced on Sunday that three first-team players would be leaving the club this summer... before swiftly backtracking.

- Spain set up a blockbuster quarter-final tie with Euro 2024 hosts Germany by surviving an early scare to ease past Georgia 4-1.

- Jude Bellingham produced a moment of genius to keep England in Euro 2024 as they survived another desperate display and a huge scare to beat Slovakia in dramatic fashion to reach the last eight.

- Italy manager Luciano Spalletti hit back at a mischievous reporter in a bitter exchange after Italy crashed out of Euro 2024.

- Paul Pogba is set to make a rare public appearance here in Germany on Monday as a special guest for France's crunch clash against Belgium.