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Man United Frustrates Chelsea At Home

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With Cristiano Ronaldo benched, United redefined the idea of caution in the first half, taking 21 minutes to touch the ball in the final third and 44 minutes to have a touch in Chelsea’s box, but the hosts struggled to break them down.
Callum Hudson-Odoi saw an effort well saved by David de Gea, and later in the half the goalkeeper tipped Antonio Rudiger’s long-range shot onto the crossbar, but United stunned Chelsea to take the lead moments after half-time as Jadon Sancho feasted on Jorginho’s mistake to run through on goal unopposed and finish (50) for his first Premier League goal.
But Jorginho had a chance to redeem himself as Aaron Wan-Bissaka kicked the back of Thiago Silva’s leg in the box, allowing the Italian to score from the spot for 1-1 (69).
Chelsea huffed and puffed but could not find a winner – Rudiger blazed over the bar in the 97th minute unmarked at the far post – meaning Michael Carrick remains unbeaten in what could be his final match in charge with the imminent arrival of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager. Man Utd are eighth, while Chelsea stay top, now just a point ahead of Man City.
Carrick’s decision to drop Ronaldo – it was only the fourth time in nine years he has started a league game on the bench – and start a midfield three of Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay and Fred pointed to a vigilant approach in a game where a draw would have been seen as a good result.
There were suggestions that Rangnick had helped picked the XI at Stamford Bridge, but Carrick denied this on several occasions after the game.
First, Hakim Ziyech turned away from Eric Bailly all too easily but was blocked by De Gea, and the goalkeeper had to be at his best moments later as Wan-Bissaka’s failed interception allowed Hudson-Odoi in, but his effort was saved with Timo Werner in a better position beside him.
It was by no means adventurous in an attacking from the visitors, their first touch in the final third coming in the 21st minute as Bruno Fernandes harmlessly struck wide. At the other end United became so packed in that Chelsea were reduced to long-range efforts, Rudiger cracking the crossbar from 25 yards, although De Gea got the slightest of touches.
United ended the half with just 32 per cent possession, no shot on target and an xG of just 0.02, but the statistics meant little as the visilevel as Wan-Bissaka clumsily kicked the back of Thiago Silva’s leg as he went to clear in the box. Jorginho stepped up, and sat De Gea down to convert.
With 20 minutes remaining, Chelsea could smell a winner, but despite the introduction of Romelu Lukaku after an injury lay-off, they could not find it.
Wan-Bissaka appeared from nowhere to block Werner in the box, and in the seventh minute of stoppage time Rudiger blasted into the stands unmarked 10 yards out from a Christian Pulisic cross.
United had their own chances, too, as the game opened up late on, but the best fell to Fred, who harmlessly chipped into Mendy’s hands with Ronaldo and Jesse Lingard in better positions.
Ronaldo was named on the bench for Man Utd for only the second time in the Prewith Carrick naming a midfield three of McTominay, Fred and Matic. Fernandes, Rashford and Sancho were in front of them, while Bailly and Lindelof were paired at centre-back.
Chelsea made four changes from the side that beat Leicester last weekend; Alonso came in for the injured Chilwell, while Werner, Ziyech and Loftus-Cheek came in for Havertz, Mount and the injured Kante. Lukaku returned to the bench.
Despite trailing with 21 minutes remaining, Chelsea will see this as two points dropped – they had 24 shots on United’s goal – but after weeks of instability, this makeshift United side got what they came to Stamford Bridge to achieve as Rangnick waits in the wings.
“It’s a big point to Manchester United because Chelsea were by far the better team. But United were spirited, stuck at it, so they will take a little bit of momentum into their season now. Hopefully they can kick on.
“Lots of changes over the last week, a new manager coming in next week, but there are still huge question marks over a lot of these players. But they deserve credit because they stuck together in what was a spirited performance rather than one of real quality. I said if United were to get anything from the game it would maybe be down to a bit of arrogance from Chelsea, which proved to be the case with the goal.
“To say United played well today, or during the week [is a stretch], but they’ve got two positive results and that is what you always fall back on, the results. David de Gea’s said after the game United fought for everything, but that is what you should be doing every week. It’s as if these players pick and choose their moments when they are up for it.
“If you want to play for Manchester United and compete for titles, you do that week in, week out. There was spirit today, and they deserve credit for that, but ultimately you want more.”
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel on Sky Sports: “I’m absolutely happy. I was happy to coach the team, I saw a huge effort, big intensity, so many ball recoveries in the opponents’ half, put the pressure up high.

We controlled the counter-attacks before they started, we were brave and courageous.
“They defended deep and maybe you need the first goal to open up a bit and gain the last per cent of freedom and confidence to have follow-ups and big chances on goal. If you don’t score, you always run a bit behind because you feel like you’re the stronger team, you play in the opponents’ half so we have two or three big chances we should have maybe used. But, in general, I am very happy with the way we played. I was pleased with our aggression, our rhythm and the intensity.”
Man Utd caretaker boss Michael Carrick on Sky Sports: “I’m disappointed actually. When you are in front in a game like this to have it taken away is disappointing. I’m proud of the players and the group all week. In a difficult situation we tried to make the best of it. But there is that little bitter feeling. We came to win the game. A little disappointed, I can’t lie.
“I don’t think it was a penalty at all. They have had a lot of shots David had two saves which we knew before the game he would have to make one or two. Other than that I have felt quite comfortable in the game. Of course we want to be better. I am not getting carried away but I thought we defended well. I cannot fault the boys one bit. To come away disappointed and to feel like you have left something out there is a positive.”
Chelsea skipper Jorginho stood head in hands looking back at the wreckage behind him, knowing he should have cleared the ball at the first opportunity, prompting both Roy Keane and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to describe the decision as “arrogant” after the game on Sky Sports.
Werner then hooked a decent chance wide as the ball fell kindly to him at a corner, Ronaldo was introduced on the hour mark, but United handed Chelsea a chance to level as Wan-Bissaka clumsily kicked the back of Thiago Silva’s leg as he went to clear in the box. Jorginho stepped up, and sat De Gea down to convert
With 20 minutes remaining, Chelsea could smell a winner, but despite the introduction of Romelu Lukaku after an injury lay-off, they could not find it.
Wan-Bissaka appeared from nowhere to block Werner in the box, and in the seventh minute of stoppage time Rudiger blasted into the stands unmarked 10 yards out from a Christian Pulisic cross.

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Former Champion Seeks Title Defence At Para Table Tennis Tourney

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Former African champion Faith Ugwueke has expressed her ambitions for the seventh edition of the Valuejet Lagos Para Table Tennis Open which is holding at the Molade Okoya Thomas Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere.

The 2006 Commonwealth Games silver medallist spoke to Tidesports source her desire to defend her para singles title in the women’s category and to also secure a qualification berth for both the regional West Africa para table tennis event in Abeokuta in September and the continental championship billed to hold in Cairo, Egypt in November.

The multiple Paralympian said, “My expectation is to come out great at this wonderful tournament and to qualify for the forthcoming tournament that is coming up in Nigeria and Egypt in September and November. Last tournament, I won the singles. I won three golds at the last ValueJet tournament. And I want to believe and hope that I will maintain my position by coming in first position.”

Ugwueke had featured in the para event at the 56th Molade Okoya-Thomas National Table Tennis Championships, held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in January, where she suffered a stunning defeat to eventual finalist and tournament runner-up Taiye Oyinloye, who in turn was beaten 3-1 (11-3, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9) by Commonwealth Games medallist, Kate Oputa, to become the women’s class 1-5 champion.

The ValueJet Lagos Para table tennis Open, which is in its seventh edition, is an event sanctioned by the governing body ITTF Africa and put together by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation in partnership with Lagos State Sports Commission.

The event will come to a close on July 11, with the competition serving as qualifiers for the country’s players for the regional tournament in Abeokuta.

A total of 98 athletes—57 men and 41 women—from Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Togo are competing in the singles events.

Notable performances have come from Alabi, Agunbiade, Ogunkunle, and Commonwealth Games medallists Kate Oputa and Faith Obazuaye, who have showcased their class against emerging talents across various classifications.

Their presence has intensified the battle for podium finishes, with top seeds asserting dominance in their respective singles events.

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Nigerian Athletes Serving Doping Bans

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The Athletics Integrity Unit continues to take a hard stance against doping violations across the globe, and Nigeria has not been spared. Below are ten Nigerian athletics serving doping ban Imaobong Nse Uko (July 2026)

The AIU announced in the June 2025 sanctions list on July 1 that 21-year-old quarter-miler Uko was found guilty of an anti-doping rule violation committed on June 5 2024. Her infraction falls under whereabouts failures, having missed three tests within a 12-month period.

The AIU confirmed that her period of ineligibility will run until 23 July 2026 and all results recorded from the date of the infraction have been officially disqualified.

Uko rose to fame after clinching three gold medals at the 2021 World U-20 Championships in Nairobi, winning the women’s 400 metres, 4x400m relay, and the mixed 4x400m relay.

Stephen Eloji (June 2028)

Sprinter and hurdler Stephen Eloji tested positive for dehydrochloromethyl-testosterone in an out-of-competition test in Nigeria on May 2, 2024 and has been handed a four-year ban by the AIU.

The 25-year-old was active in the American collegiate circuit, recording strong performances in the 110m hurdles and relay events as recently as April 2024, including at the Pepsi Florida Relays and Music City Challenge.

Ada Princess Bright (September 2027)

Ada Princess Bright is serving a four-year ineligibility period after testing positive for Metenolone during the National Athletics Trials held on July 6 2023 in Benin City.

She had an active season prior to her suspension, competing in national meets in Lagos, Uyo, and Benin, and earning a relay gold at the African U20 Championships in Ndola, Zambia.

Grace Nwokocha (August 2025)

Nwokocha is serving a three-year ban after testing positive for SARMS substances including Ostarine and Ligandrol during the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The fallout was significant, as Nigeria was stripped of its women’s 4x100m relay gold medal at the Games. Prior to her suspension, she had qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, posted a personal best of 11.00s in the 100m, and reached the semi-finals in the 100m and 200m at the 2022 World Athletics Championships. She is ineligible to compete until 2 August 2025.

Yinka Ajayi (January 2030)

Ajayi, a 400m specialist and one-time Olympic representative, is currently serving an extended eight-year ban for multiple anti-doping violations.

The first sanction, issued after she tested positive for Metenolone in an out-of-competition test in Iowa, USA, led to a four-year ban starting in December 2021. However, further findings of tampering led to an additional four-year penalty in 2024, extending her suspension until January 25 2030.

Glory Okon (January 2026)

Glory Okon is serving a four-year ban for testing positive for Metenolone following an out-of-competition test conducted on December 2 2021 in Nigeria.

She previously won gold in the 400 metres at the 2019 African U-20 Championships in Abidjan and featured prominently at the 2021 National Sports Festival in Benin City.

Blessing Okagbare (July 2031)

Once the face of Nigerian athletics, Okagbare is now serving a 10-year ban following multiple anti-doping rule violations. She tested positive for human growth hormone and EPO in an out-of-competition test in June 2021.

Her suspension came while competing at the Tokyo Olympics and was announced in February 2022. It was later extended by an additional year in June 2022 due to further breaches.

Divine Oduduru (February 2029)

Oduduru’s  career was derailed by anti-doping violations linked to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. On October 12 2023, a Disciplinary Tribunal of the AIU imposed a six-year ban on Oduduru after he was found guilty of possessing and attempting to use prohibited substances and methods. The case stemmed from the wider investigation into Eric Lira, the first individual convicted under the US Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, who supplied banned substances to athletes, including Okagbare, ahead of the Tokyo Games.

Oduduru’s ban is effective from February 9, 2023 and will run until February 8, 2029.

Henry Azike (Lifetime ban)

Azike is one of two Nigerian athletes currently serving a lifetime ban after testing positive for Metenolone, an anabolic steroid. His case was classified as a second ADRV, automatically triggering a lifetime suspension from the sport.

Azike last competed in 2011, including at the Doha Amir Cup and Nigerian Championships in Calabar.

Vivian Chukwuemeka (Lifetime ban)

Two-time Olympian and African shot put record holder Vivian Chukwuemeka is serving a lifetime ban for a second doping offence after testing positive for Stanozolol at the 2012 National Championships in Calabar.

The 2002 Commonwealth Games champion and multiple-time African gold medallist had previously served a two-year ban following a 2009 positive test. Her personal best of 18.43m remains the African record in women’s shot put.

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Eagles B Players Admit Pressure For CHAN Qualification 

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EAGLES B PLAYERS
Pix: Super Eagles B players at the training session. 

Invited players into the Super Eagles B camp ahead of the rescheduled African Nations Championship tournament are feeling the pressure of selection, three days into their training camp at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.

The eighth CHAN tournament is taking place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda between August 2 to 20.

Ahead of the tournament, head coach Eric Chelle had invited an initial 35 players to camp and they began training on Monday with 21 players.

Five more players arrived on Tuesday to take the number to 26 while 28 players trained on Wednesday morning with the rest expected before the end of the week.

Captain of the team through the qualifiers, Junior Nduka, spoke about the intensity of the sessions and the jostle to make the final squad.

“Everybody is under pressure but definitely the coaches want the best among the 35 players,” Nduka said.

River United and former Flying Eagles forward, Aniekeme Okon, also admitted the pressure.

“It puts pressure on us, 35 players being invited, everybody is going to give out their best with an expectation of being selected. So we keep pushing.”

Ikorodu City defender, Leonard Ngenge also said, “Obviously, it puts everyone under pressure even myself. But I just need to do my best to be on the coaches’ radar.”

Nigeria, the 2018 runners-up, are in group D of the 19-team tournament, alongside Cup holders Senegal, Sudan and Congo.

The Super Eagles B will play their first two matches of the competition, against Senegal and Sudan, at the Amman Stadium on the island of Zanzibar, before taking on Congo at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Nigeria has never won the tournament, having finished third at the 2014 edition in South Africa before losing the final against hosts Morocco four years later.

 

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