Kylian Mbappe is back in the France starting line-up for Tuesday’s Euro 2024 clash with Poland, his first appearance since suffering a broken nose against Austria just over a week ago.

Mbappe injured himself late on in the 1-0 victory over the Austrians on June 17 and did not play any part in last Friday’s 0-0 draw with the Netherlands in Leipzig as a result.

The new Real Madrid signing, who must wear a protective face mask, captains a France side who have already qualified for the last 16 before the Group D finale in Dortmund.

He returns in one of two changes made by coach Didier Deschamps to his line-up, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola getting a first international start as Antoine Griezmann and Marcus Thuram drop out.

Where France finish in the section depends both on their result and the outcome of the simultaneous encounter between the Netherlands and Austria.

Poland are already eliminated but their captain and record goal-scorer Robert Lewandowski makes his first start of the competition after injury.

From AFP

Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, known as the flying antelopes, secured their 8th Nigerian Premier Football League title for the 2023/2024 season with a 2-1 victory over Gombe United at Zaria road stadium in Jos.

They amassed an impressive 70 points from 38 matches played throughout the season.

The team captain, Amobi Ezeakwu, proudly received the league trophy and a winning prize of one hundred and fifty million naira from Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

The match was attended by dignitaries including the chairman and members of the Nigeria Football Federation board, league board chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye, as well as the governors of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, and Enugu State, Peter Mbah.

With this triumph, Rangers International will represent Nigeria alongside Remo Stars in the upcoming African Champions League competition.

Italian football legend Roberto Baggio has been hospitalized after an armed robbery at his home in Altavilla Vicentina, northern Italy, last night.

The incident occurred while Baggio’s family was watching the Euro 2024 match between Italy and Spain.

Baggio, 57, known as Il Divin Codino (The Divine Ponytail), attempted to resist the five intruders but was struck in the head with a gun.

The robbers then locked him and his family in a room before making off with watches, jewelry, and money. The exact value of the stolen items remains unknown.

The robbery, which lasted approximately 40 minutes, left Baggio with a forehead injury requiring stitches.

He was treated at a hospital in Arzignano, about eight miles from his home.

While his family was unharmed physically, they were left severely shaken.

Local police are investigating the crime and are reviewing CCTV footage from the scene.

Baggio, who has not yet commented on the incident, is widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players.

During his 22-year career, he played for clubs including Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan, and won two Serie A titles.

Baggio converted from Catholicism to Buddhism after a significant injury in 1985, though he married his long-time partner Andreina Fabbi in a Catholic ceremony in 1989. The couple has three children.