Sports News Today Headlines Sunday 25th October 2026
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target=_blank>2026 Ballon d’or ceremony: date, time and how to watch
Football fans around the world are preparing for the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, which will take place on Monday, October 26, in London, England.
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target=_blank>A path towards sanity, by Patrick Omorodion
Whatever has a beginning must have an end, is a popular saying. On Friday, October 23, 2026, members of the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos SWAN) took a bold step to begin the sanitisation of their troubled association, which has been held down by a self-inflicted crisis. Yes, I say self-inflicted because they allowed their ranks to be infiltrated by persons who are neither journalists nor practising sports writers. Never in the history of SWAN, since it was founded in 1964, has the Lagos chapter been embroiled in such impunity and an alleged hijack by one individual. And I know that the founding father, Babatunde Oshuntolu, popularly known by his pen name, Esbee, would turn in his grave if he heard what has become of the once-vibrant association. Like in every family, members are bound to disagree, but such disagreements should never be so deep that one party wishes “death,” by whatever means, for the other. I joined Lagos SWAN in 1990 as a cub reporter with the Concord Press of Nigeria. At that time, the national body was enmeshed in a crisis. It took MKO Abiola, a patron of SWAN, to resolve the issue. When the new president, Fan Ndubuoke, visited the Concord publisher, he humorously asked the members who were present, “Will this Fan rotate?” We all humorously echoed, “Yesssssssss!” Disagreements occur from time to time between state chapters and the national SWAN or among members of the same state chapter, but none has been as fierce as the use of Gestapo tactics, as we have seen in the past three to four years in Lagos. National SWAN had the ill luck of having a dictator as its president for the first time in its history, who oppressed his fellow elected executive committee members to the extent of wanting them to be at the Abuja airport to receive him whenever he visited the federal capital. His visit to Lagos got him thinking after he saw the magnificent secretariat the Grand Patron of the chapter, then Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, built for the association with support from some patrons, including the late Chief Daniel Idama, the late Prince Dokun Abidoye, the late Rev. Moses Iloh and Dan Ngerem. This president, Honour Sirawoo, believed the secretariat belonged to SWAN, claiming there was only one SWAN. The Lagos chapter disagreed, stating that it was the property of Lagos SWAN. That was the beginning of the problem Lagos SWAN had with the Sirawoo-led national body, so much so that he allegedly ensured that the re-election of the chairman, Debo Oshundun, was scuttled, as he organised what the writer described as a “kangaroo election,” using some renegade members in Lagos to install another executive committee led by Olatutu Oladunni. The crisis has never ended since then. It took a new turn when Sirawoo’s allegedly imposed executive committee dragged the one led by Debo, who was elected by the majority of members, to the Department of State Services (DSS). Yours sincerely visited the agency’s Shangisha office in Lagos for a peace meeting that lasted over seven hours. The DSS, obviously acting on what the writer believed was a script written for it by Sirawoo, could not resolve the stalemate after listening to my presentation that day. They told us to go back and resolve the issue amicably, despite what I perceived as their body language suggesting support for the Sirawoo group. As God would have it, Sirawoo’s tenure ended, and a new national SWAN executive committee headed by Isaiah Benjamin took over. With the wisdom of Solomon, Benjamin and his executive committee appealed for calm, stressing that since the tenure of the executive committee handed over to him by his predecessor was almost expiring, he would call for a truce between the two factions and allow a level playing field for all contestants to end the crisis. This suggestion was agreed to by Tutu. When it was time to announce an electoral body, she allegedly shunned the other group and appointed only her loyalists. The national SWAN rejected the arrangement and insisted that the electoral body must include members of the aggrieved group. Two members from the other group were added, but the electoral body allegedly marginalised them and did not allow them to speak before crucial decisions were taken for what the writer described as a skewed election organised to return Tutu as chairman. Of course, the national SWAN would not accept her actions and asked that they be reversed. When she failed to heed the directives, the national body had no choice but to suspend her and install the vice-chairman, Aron Akerejola, as acting chairman. After serving out Tutu’s term, Akerejola was appointed to continue as caretaker chairman to usher in a new executive committee, with yours sincerely as the head of a five-man electoral committee. We were still going through the process of conducting a fresh election, but Tutu allegedly placed several hurdles in our way. For reasons best known to Akerejola, he resigned his position early this month, and a new caretaker committee headed by yours sincerely was established by the national SWAN to begin a genuine reconciliation process and usher in a new executive committee within three months. That path to restoring sanity to what was once the most vibrant chapter of SWAN in Nigeria was set at the weekend by a large turnout of members who approved a seven-man electoral body headed by popular SuperSport sportscaster, Mozez Praiz. Joining Praiz in the task are respected members of Lagos SWAN, including McAnthony Anaelechukwu as secretary, Dr Abdulrahman Abolore, Jovita Eke, Dr Suo Chapelle, Soliu Adeyemo and Tega Onajaife. Veterans of the association also joined the effort to restore stability to the chapter. Leading them were Dr Mitchell Obi, former president of the International Sports Press Association Africa (AIPS Africa); Kunle Solaja, Felix Awogu, Godwin Enakhena, Emma Jemegah, Joe Apu, Julius Okorie, Pius Ayinor, Mike Mayaiki and Smart Ebhodaghe, among many others. Representing the national SWAN was Enitan Obadina, the national welfare officer. They all expressed joy that the process of restoring stability to Lagos SWAN had begun.
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target=_blank>Alvarez apologises to Atletico fans after summer exit attempt
The Argentina international was heavily linked with Barcelona this summer and said during the World Cup he thought it would be best if Atletico sold him.
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target=_blank>Alvarez fires Atletico to win against Deportivo
Julian Alvarez continued on his road to redemption by scoring the only goal as Atletico Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 on Saturday to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to two points.
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target=_blank>Ronaldinho returns to football with Italian third tier
Brazil legend Ronaldinho will make his playing return aged 46 next month for Ravenna, the third-division Italian club announced on Saturday.
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target=_blank>Southampton end West Ham’s unbeaten run, Burnley sack manager
Southampton ended West Ham’s nine-match unbeaten run with a 3-2 win at the London Stadium to surge into the Championship top six despite starting the season with a four-point deduction.
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target=_blank>EPL: De Zerbi hails ‘complete’ Spurs after historic win at Chelsea
Roberto De Zerbi said Tottenham’s historic 2-0 victory against London rivals Chelsea proved his side have a winning mentality as they banished their dismal start to the season.
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target=_blank>Tottenham seal rare win at Chelsea as Palmer sees red
Tottenham clinched a Premier League win at Chelsea for just the second time in 36 years as a woeful own goal from Blues keeper Mike Penders was followed by Cole Palmer’s red card in Saturday’s 2-0 victory.
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target=_blank>EPL: Arsenal see off Everton, go joint-top after Man City defeat
Manchester City’s flawless start to the Premier League season was ended in a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday that allowed Arsenal to join them at the top of the table with victory over Everton.
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target=_blank>Como follow Man Utd thumping with victory in Serie A
Cesc Fabregas’s side climbed to fourth in the table, just two points adrift of early leaders Inter Milan who host Fiorentina on Sunday.
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target=_blank>NPFL: Abia Warriors chairman charges players to go for victory against Tornadoes
Abia Warriors Chairman, John Obuh has charged his players to respect the club badge and represent the team with pride. The Umuahia-based club have had a mixed start to the 2026-27 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season. Abia Warriors have garnered nine points from nine matches in the current campaign. Obuh urged the players to
NPFL: Abia Warriors chairman charges players to go for victory against Tornadoes
target=_blank>NPFL: Ameh Joseph hails Kun Khalifat fans ahead of Inter Lagos clash
Kun Khalifat forward, Ameh Joseph, has hailed the club’s supporters ahead of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, matchday 10 fixture against Inter Lagos. The Obinna Uzoho’s side will do battle with Inter Lagos at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday. Joseph said that he is confident that the team will secure a positive
NPFL: Ameh Joseph hails Kun Khalifat fans ahead of Inter Lagos clash
target=_blank>Transfer: Bayer Leverkusen chief addresses Boniface’s transfer speculation
Bayer Leverkusen managing director, Simon Rolfes has reacted to speculation linking Victor Boniface with a move away from the club. Boniface has already expressed his desire to leave the former Bundesliga champions when the transfer window reopens in January, according to Sky Sports. The Nigeria international has struggled for regular time at the club this
Transfer: Bayer Leverkusen chief addresses Boniface’s transfer speculation
target=_blank>Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘Statistically he should win it’ – Martin Keown names award winner
Former Arsenal defender, Martin Keown, has insisted that Bayern Munich striker, Harry Kane should win the 2026 Ballon d’Or based on statistics. Kane is among the top contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or, the winner of which will be announced on Monday in London. The 33-year-old will face stiff competition from Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and
Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘Statistically he should win it’ – Martin Keown names award winner
target=_blank>Olympics: Chelle keeping tabs on Liverpool players ahead of U23 Afcon qualifiers
The coach of Olympic Eagles, Eric Chelle is reportedly monitoring two Liverpool central defenders in preparation for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. According to Score Nigeria, Liverpool academy players, Wellity Lucky and Noah Adekoya have attracted the attention of the Malian coach for potential selection to the Olympic Eagles. Adekoya and Fulham’s Chibuzo
Olympics: Chelle keeping tabs on Liverpool players ahead of U23 Afcon qualifiers
target=_blank>2026 U-17 Women’s World Cup: Three countries eliminated
At least three countries have officially been eliminated from the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. They are Zambia, Puerto Rico and New Zealand. All three teams finished with zero points in their respective groups after losing all three of their group-stage matches. This follows the conclusion of Groups C and D final
2026 U-17 Women’s World Cup: Three countries eliminated
target=_blank>El Clásico: Steve McManaman predicts scoreline of Barcelona vs Real Madrid clash
Former Liverpool winger, Steve McManaman, has predicted that Real Madrid would beat Barcelona 3-1 when both teams clash in today’s El Clásico in LaLiga. Barcelona will host Real Madrid at Camp Nou, following their Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in mid-week. Speaking to 365Scores (via SPORT) about Barcelona’s clash with Real Madrid, McManaman said,
El Clásico: Steve McManaman predicts scoreline of Barcelona vs Real Madrid clash
target=_blank>Osimhen furious over partner, daughter’s accidents becoming public knowledge – Küçük
Prominent Turkish sports journalist, Ali Naci Küçük, has revealed that Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen was furious after accidents involving his partner and daughter went public. Recall that Osimhen’s pregnant partner, Stefanie Kim Ladewig, was involved in a car accident a few days ago in Istanbul, and their young daughter, Hailey True, underwent surgery for a
Osimhen furious over partner, daughter’s accidents becoming public knowledge – Küçük
target=_blank>Ballon d’Or 2026: Nobody else – Lothar Matthäus picks two players to win award
German legend, Lothar Matthäus, has picked Bayern Munich duo, Harry Kane and Michael Olise, as the two favourite players to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Speaking recently with Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Matthäus insisted that nobody else deserves to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday apart from Kane and Olise because of their performances last season. “When
Ballon d’Or 2026: Nobody else – Lothar Matthäus picks two players to win award
target=_blank>No room for debate – Raphinha names best world player
Barcelona captain Raphinha has named teammate Lamine Yamal as the best player in the world at the moment. Speaking to CazeTV, Raphinha insisted that there is no room for debate, adding that the Spain international is by far ahead of the second best player in the world. The Brazilian international said, “Lamine is proving that
No room for debate – Raphinha names best world player
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