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FIRST 11: Osimhen Lands Blockbuster Deal, Falcons Rewarded +Stories That Defined Sports

First 11 — the recap of the most talked-about sports headlines — explores the above and other news that shaped sports in the last seven days! 

By Emmanuel Egobiambu
Updated August 2, 2025
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It’s been raining rewards and accolades for the Super Falcons following their triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). 

In a week that saw the Nigerian girls tour the country, their basketball counterparts, the D’Tigress, are also on the verge of making history in Cote d’Ivoire. 

As the football season nears kickoff, the transfer window is still buzzing with clubs beefing up their squads for the soon-to-start campaign. 

First 11 — the recap of the most talked-about sports headlines — explores the above and other news that shaped sports in the last seven days! 

Osimhen Seals Blockbuster Move

Starting from football, but this time from one of football’s most in-form strikers, Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian sealed a blockbuster move to Galatasaray, signing a €75m contract with the Turkish side from Napoli. 

Osimhen’s four-year deal meant he will be paid €15 million per season and ends a two-year saga with Italian side Napoli. 

Super Falcons’ Victory Parade

His contract signing came just as the Super Falcons got a rousing welcome home following their WAFCON victory. President Bola Tinubu splashed $100,000 on each player, a house, conferred national honours on them, and also the technical crew. 

The team also had a trophy parade in Lagos State to mark their record-extending 10th WAFCON title. The Super Falcons’ next target is to win the World Cup. 

WAFCON: Fintiri Rewards Justin Madugu 

For leading the team to the title, Coach Justin Madugu has been rewarded by his governor — Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State. He was gifted a house and also N50m. 

At a ceremony at the Government House in Yola, Fintiri eulogised the coach for making Adamawa proud.

D’Tigress on Historic Afrobasket Run

Meanwhile, the D’Tigress are on the hunt for a fifth consecutive Afrobasket title and are in the semi-final of this year’s competition. 

The Nigerian ladies crushed Cameroon in the quarter-final and will now take on fellow West Africans Senegal in the last four.

Burna Boy Thrills Lionesses

Nigerian singer Burna Boy (L) performs with England’s Dutch head coach Sarina Wiegman (R) during the England women’s national football team homecoming victory celebration on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace in London on July 29, 2025 to after the team won Euro 2025. (Photo by Adam Davy / POOL / AFP)

 

Back in the week, Nigerian singer Burna Boy made headlines for spicing up England’s Women’s Euro trophy tour. 

The afrobeat superstar, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, was a surprise guest at Buckingham Palace during the Lionesses’ tour. Burna Boy performed his 2022 song “For My Hand” to the delight of manager Sarina Wiegman, the players, and fans who witnessed the event. 

World Cup Draw To Hold December 5

The Fifa World Cup trophy is displayed ahead of the draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup European qualifiers at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, on December 13, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

 

In the US, reports emerged that Las Vegas will play host to the 2026 World Cup draw on December 5. Vegas had been picked for the draw of the expanded 48-team event, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

In all, 12 groups of four nations will be drawn. When the United States played host to the 1994 World Cup, the draw ceremony was also conducted in Las Vegas. But FIFA has not commented on the matter as of now.

NBA To Feature in London, Berlin

Overall photo of Gainbridge Fieldhouse during Game Four of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 13, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jeff Dean / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

 

Still in the US, the NBA on Wednesday said it would play regular-season matches in London and Berlin in the 2025-26 campaign. 

The Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic will face each other in Berlin on January 15, 2026, and again in London three days later. NBA Europe managing director George Aivazoglou said the decision to move the matches “reflects the incredible momentum and appetite for NBA basketball in France, Germany, the UK and across the region”.

Transfer: Diaz Moves To Germany, Xhaka Returns To England

Returning from the courts, the football transfer window has been buzzing all week ahead of the new season. In England, and across Europe generally, it’s been all fireworks as players make the move and clubs shore up their teams. 

Germany’s side Bayern Munich’s signing of forward Luis Diaz from Premier League champions Liverpool was one of the biggest stories in the game. Ex-Arsenal player Granit Xhaka made a move in the opposite direction, joining Sunderland from German team Bayer Leverkusen. 

Aubameyang, Pedro Get New Homes

João Félix had stints with Chelsea and Barcelona. Credit: X@AlNassrFC_EN

 

In the meantime, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to Marseille after a season in Saudi Arabia. The 36-year-old striker arrived in southern France late on Wednesday. 

On the other hand, Portuguese forward João Félix signed a two-year deal with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, where he will join Cristiano Ronaldo. Felix, now 25, made a blockbuster move from Benfica to Atletico Madrid in 2019, but has since seen his fortunes decline.

Athletics Championship Begins

Back home, Nigeria’s premier Athletics competition, the Nigerian Athletics Championships, is on the way at the Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos. It will feature the country’s top sprinters, jumpers, throwers, and distance runners. 

The 2025 edition carries extra significance as national titles are on the line. It will also serve as a qualification platform for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. 

Nigeria Tidy Up For CHAN

Lastly, the home-based Super Eagles are tidying up preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship. 

But on Friday, Nigeria threw away a 2-0 lead against Zanzibar in their final preparatory match before the competition. The tournament will be held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from August 2 to 30. 

It’s a wrap this week on First 11! Don’t forget to visit Channels Television’s sports page for updates across the globe! 

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