Sports
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Musiliu Odekunle Transfers Finalized
Italian Serie A side Lazio has finalized the signing of Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru on a season-long loan from Turkish club Hatayspor.
The deal includes an option for Lazio to make the transfer permanent next summer, with an initial payment of €2 million to Hatayspor and an additional €4 million required for the permanent transfer.
Recall that Dele-Bashiru, 23 years old, moved to Hatayspor from Sheffield Wednesday last summer and contributed six assists in 39 appearances across all competitions during his tenure in Turkey.
In an official statement, Lazio confirmed, “SS Lazio announces that it has acquired temporarily with an obligation to buy the rights to the sporting performances of the footballer Oluwafisayo Faruq Dele-Bashiru from Atakaş Hatayspor FK.”
Meanwhile, Nigerian forward Musiliu Odekunle has transferred from Nigerian lower-league club FC Ebedei to Danish Superliga outfit FC Midtjylland.
READ MORE: Ilechukwu Hails GTI’s Strategic Impact On NPFL
The 18-year-old will initially join FC Midtjylland’s youth setup to further develop his skills with aspirations to progress to the senior team in the future.
Upon joining FC Midtjylland, Odekunle expressed his ambitions, stating, “I am eager to grow as a player and enhance my skills. My objective is to continually improve as a footballer. I am excited about developing in the excellent environment at FC Midtjylland.”
Sports
World Cup Earthquake: Tunisia Sack Coach After Just One Match
Tunisia have sent shockwaves through the football world after dismissing head coach Sabri Lamouchi following just one game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Tunisian Football Federation announced the decision on Monday after the North African nation suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening Group F clash.
SEE ALSO: Super Eagles Thrash Tunisia 3-2, Advance To AFCON Round Of 16
The loss prompted swift action from football authorities, making Lamouchi the first coach in World Cup history to be sacked after managing only one match at the tournament.
In a bid to rescue their campaign, Tunisia have appointed experienced French coach Herve Renard to take charge of the team until the end of the World Cup.
Confirming the appointment, the Tunisian public broadcaster quoted federation president Moez Nassari as saying:
“The president of the Tunisian Football Federation, Moez Nassari, announced that an official agreement had been reached with French coach Herve Renard for him to take charge of the national football team until the end of the 2026 World Cup.”
Renard brings a wealth of international experience to the role.
He is best remembered for leading Saudi Arabia to a stunning victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He also previously coached the France women’s national team.
Lamouchi, 54, was only appointed Tunisia coach in January but endured a difficult spell in charge. During his short tenure, he managed just one victory in five matches, a narrow 1-0 win against Haiti.
The crushing defeat to Sweden has left Tunisia’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages hanging by a thread.
The Carthage Eagles now face crucial Group F fixtures against Japan and the Netherlands, with Renard tasked with reviving their World Cup ambitions.
Tunisia will take on Japan on Saturday before concluding their group-stage campaign against the Netherlands in what could determine their fate at the tournament.
Sports
Edo Queens Clinch Second NWFL Premiership Title
Edo Queens have been crowned champions of the 2025/26 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership following a determined 0–0 draw against Bayelsa Queens in the final matchday of the Super Six playoffs at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium on Sunday.
Bayelsa Queens entered the decisive fixture needing an outright victory to secure the title, while Edo Queens required only a draw. The Benin-based side executed their game plan with discipline in a tightly contested encounter that saw both teams create chances but ultimately cancel each other out.
The result sealed a second NWFL Premiership crown for Edo Queens, reaffirming their status as one of the dominant forces in Nigerian women’s football. It also places them alongside Bayelsa Queens as the only clubs to have won the league twice within the last six seasons.
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Head coach Moses Aduku further etched his name in the competition’s history, becoming the first manager to win three NWFL Premiership titles in six seasons. He previously guided Bayelsa Queens to the title in 2022 before leading Edo Queens to triumphs in 2024 and 2026.
Elsewhere on Matchday 5, Nasarawa Amazons and hosts Rivers Angels played out a goalless draw, while FC Robo Queens came from behind to secure a 1–1 draw against Abia Angels.
Final standings saw Edo Queens top the Super Six table with 10 points, finishing two points ahead of Bayelsa Queens in second place, with Nasarawa Amazons completing the top three. Abia Angels ended their debut campaign with six points, while FC Robo Queens and Rivers Angels finished on four points apiece.
The individual accolades saw FC Robo Queens’ Oluwakemi Adegbuyi named Player of the Season, while Abia Angels’ Fatima Oloko picked up Goalkeeper of the Season. Abasiofon Uwah (Rivers Angels) and Atume Doosuur (Edo Queens) shared the Golden Boot with 13 goals each, and Rivers Angels were awarded the Fair Play Prize.
As champions, Edo Queens will represent Nigeria at the WAFU-B Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Burkina Faso from August 13 to September 5, where they will aim to secure qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League and a potential pathway to the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup.
The grand finale was attended by key dignitaries including NFF board member Aisha Falode, former board member Barr. Chris Green, Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Peter Akpe, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Daniel Igali, Edo State Sports Commission Chairman Desmond Enabulele, NFF Director of Competitions Ruth David, and Bendel Insurance Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe.
Sports
US Threatens to Deport Influencers Covering the World Cup for Profit
The United States government has issued a stern warning to foreign social media influencers and content creators planning to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup, cautioning that they could face deportation if they earn money while in the country on tourist visas.
The warning, issued by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Wednesday, comes as millions of football fans and thousands of independent content creators converge on North America for the month-long tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
ALSO READ: World Cup 2026 Tickets Spark Backlash As Prices Soar 41 Times Face Value
According to US authorities, foreign nationals entering the country on a B-2 tourist visa are not permitted to engage in paid work or receive income from activities carried out while in the United States.
“Having the sole purpose of the visit be content creation (as an influencer), thereby generating income from U.S. sources while in the country, is considered work and requires the appropriate visa,” the agencies said.
The government stressed that tourist visas are intended for leisure, vacations, family visits, and medical treatment, and do not authorize employment or income-generating activities.
Officials warned that anyone found violating the terms of their visa could face immediate visa cancellation, deportation, and possible restrictions on future travel to the United States.
The directive applies to influencers and content creators who monetize content on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook while attending the World Cup.
Authorities also clarified that working for a media outlet while in the country on a tourist visa is prohibited under the same regulations.
Immigration lawyer Alex Galvez noted that foreign nationals who violate the conditions of their entry could lose their tourist visa privileges.
However, he suggested that some influencers might have legal grounds to challenge enforcement actions if their social media accounts are registered in their home countries and payments are received outside the United States.
The warning comes as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, running from June 11 to July 19, is expected to attract a record number of digital creators documenting the tournament for global audiences.
The issue has also fueled broader concerns over immigration restrictions surrounding the tournament.
The International Sports Press Association recently criticized what it described as unfair visa limitations affecting some journalists seeking entry into the United States.
In a separate incident, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was reportedly denied entry into the country ahead of the competition.
The US government’s tough stance follows previous immigration enforcement actions involving high-profile influencers.
Recall that in 2025, TikTok sensation Khaby Lame was detained by immigration authorities at Las Vegas airport and later self-deported after allegedly overstaying his visa.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also confirmed it will assist with security operations at World Cup venues, underscoring the administration’s broader immigration enforcement measures during the tournament.
As the world’s biggest football event gets underway, foreign influencers hoping to cash in on World Cup content are being reminded that violating US visa rules could come at a heavy cost.





