South Sudan will compete at Rio 2016 after becoming the 206th member of the Olympic movement. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) unanimously approved the inclusion of the African republic, which became independent in 2011. IOC president Thomas Bach wished the country a “bright future” after its inclusion was ratified. “This will put your nation on the world map,” he said. “We will stand by your side.” A South Sudanese marathon runner, Guor Marial, did compete at London 2012 but under the Olympic flag as South Sudan was not yet an IOC member. South Sudan already has a men’s football team due to take part in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

Seattle Sounders striker Obafemi Martins has not ruled out a Nigeria return, but admitted he is focusing on his MLS club career. Martins was called up just once in the last three years, against Kenya, in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. Despite being his country’s most in-form striker last year, alongside Ikechukwu Uche, he was omitted from the Brazil 2014 squad. But Martins is not closing the door on the Super Eagles just yet. “Things have changed at home and if the new coach [Sunday Oliseh] said he wants me to play for Nigeria again, I’d jump at the chance,” Martins told BBC Sport. “The opportunity to represent a country of over 170 million people doesn’t come often and I will never turn it down. “But right now I’m just focusing on giving my best to Seattle Sounders and take it from there.” It was widely reported in the Nigerian media that Martins – who scored 18 goals in 39 internationals for Nigeria – had retired from international football after falling out with ex-coach Stephen Keshi.

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South Africa, Egypt and Zambia all booked places in the 2015 African Under-23 Championships in Senegal, with wins in their qualifiers. The South Africans comfortably beat neighbours Zimbabwe 3-0, while Egypt beat Uganda 2-1 and Zambia squeezed past Ivory Coast on penalties. The championships in Senegal start on 28 November. They also serve as qualifiers for the Rio Olympics in 2016. The three sides join hosts Senegal and Algeria at the tournament, after Algeria sealed their qualification last week. Eight nations will compete at the African Under-23 Championships, with the top three securing places in Brazil.

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Nigeria left-back Juwon Oshaniwa has signed for Hearts on a three-year contract saying he is advancing his career by moving to Scottish football. The 24-year-old World Cup defender has spent the last three years with Ironi Ashdod in Israel’s Premier League. “I am happy because I have made a big step in my career by joining Hearts,” Oshaniwa told BBC Sport. “Starting from Nigeria and playing in Israel to land here in Scotland is a big progress for my career.” Oshaniwa, who has 17 caps, played in all of the Super Eagles’ matches at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. But he only made 13 appearances last season as Ashdod suffered relegation from Israel’s top flight. “I thank God for the opportunity,” said Oshaniwa of his move to Edinburgh. “I also thank Hearts too for the confidence and determination to bring me here. “My immediate focus is to give my best and hopefully achieve many success stories with the club.”

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Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria is set to have a medical in the next 24 hours before a proposed move to Paris St-Germain. The winger, a British record £59.7m signing last summer, is expected in Doha on Sunday to meet PSG officials. The fee for the 27-year-old Argentina international is believed to be about £44.5m. Di Maria did not join United’s pre-season tour of the United States after appearing at the Copa America in Chile. The former Real Madrid player moved to Old Trafford last August after helping the Spanish giants to a 10th European Cup in 2014. But after a promising start, including a goal and an assist in three of his first four appearances, his form fell away midway through the season. He started only one match after a defeat by Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final on 9 March.

Ernest Mtawali has been appointed as the new head coach of Malawi’s national football team, with Burundian Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan named as his assistant. The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said Mtawali beat off competition from four other coaches in interviews held on Thursday. Both Mtawali and Ramadhan have signed a one year contract with the option of an extension. 51 year old Mtawali, a former Malawi midfielder, had been temporary coach of the team following the sacking of Young Chimodzi who was dismissed following the Flames’ home defeat to Zimbabwe in their opening qualifying match in Group L for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

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England striker Eniola Aluko (sister to Super Eagles forward Sone Aluko) won the English ladies FA cup today. She also won the player of the match award. Her team, Chelsea Ladies won their first major trophy as they beat Notts County 1-0 in the first Women’s FA Cup final ever to be played at Wembley. South Korea striker Ji So-Yunscored from close range in the first half, in front of a record final crowd of 30,710. Leanne Crichton had Notts’ best effort cleared off the line by Chelsea forward Gemma Davison after the break. Aluko created the winner and was outstanding in a deserved win for the Blues.

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Sunday 02 August, 2015:

Dolphin vs Nasarawa

Giwa vs Kwara United

Ifeanyi Uba vs Abia Warriors

Sharks vs Warri Wolves

Taraba vs Sunshine Stars

Enyimba vs Enugu Rangers

Bayelsa vs Akwa United

Kano Pillars vs Lobi Stars

El-Kanemi vs Shooting Stars

Wikki Tourists vs Heartland

*All games are for 4pm Nigerian time.

Manchester United have become the latest club to launch their new kit, the first of a record-breaking deal with Adidas worth £75m a year. United announced the 10-year contract in July 2014 but could not release the kit until a 13-season deal with Nike, worth £23.5m a year, expired. It is the first time Adidas has made United’s strip for 24 years, with the club saying it was a “classic design”.

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Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has extended his deal with the club until the end of the 2019-20 season. Aubameyang, 26, had been linked with a move to a number of European clubs including Premier League side Arsenal. The Gabon international, who joined from St Etienne, netted 16 goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances last season. “Every part of me wants to be here and I have never wanted to leave,” he told the club’s website. 

West Brom have completed the signing of Rickie Lambert from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee. The England international has penned a two-year deal and goes straight into the squad for Friday night’s game at Bristol Rovers.

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure has told the Liverpool Echo that he turned down offers from a host of European clubs to sign a new contract with Liverpool because he feels loved at Anfield. “There were other offers but I couldn’t leave one of the best clubs in the world,” said the 34-year-old. “For me, to be able to be at Liverpool – playing for this manager and being part of this squad and playing for amazing fans – is massive. I really enjoy being here. I feel loved and that’s important. I am so lucky to be at a club like this and I want to help this club to get better.”

Bayern Munich coach and Manchester City target Pep Guardiola says he is still undecided about his future at the German club with his contract due to run out the end of the season. The 44-year-old added that he had not received any offer from any club and there is still time to discuss his future with Bayern officials, who are eager to keep him. Bayern’s season starts on Saturday when they take on Cup winners Wolfsburg in the German Super Cup.

Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic has signed for Inter Milan on an 18-month loan with a view to a permanent transfer. The 25-year-old Montenegrin joined City from Fiorentina in summer 2013, but has struggled with injury.

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has signed a new four-year deal with the club worth £140,000 a week. The 26-year-old has scored 50 league goals in 208 appearances since signing from Southampton in 2006 in a deal worth up to £12.5m. Spain international midfielder Santi Cazorla, 30, has also signed a new deal with the London club. “Both are top-quality players who are hugely important and influential to our squad,” said manager Arsene Wenger. “As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch.” Walcott, whose previous contract was due to expire at the end of the 2015-16 season, had been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium. Liverpool and Chelsea were reportedly willing to offer him the central striking role that he has struggled to secure at times at Arsenal. However, an impressive end to last season – including a first-half hat-trick in the 4-1 win over West Brom and the opening goal in the FA Cup final win over Aston Villa – helped strengthen his claim to lead the line for the Gunners. Walcott is the longest-serving player in Arsenal’s squad.

Roma have announced the signing of Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on a year-long loan. Szczesny, 25, passed a medical on Monday and on Wednesday signed a contract with Roma until 30 June 2016. The Polish goalkeeper made 29 appearances for Arsenal last season but leaves following the arrival of former Chelsea keeper Petr Cech.

Jose Mourinho has accused Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez of “destroying the best team in Europe” when the Spaniard replaced him at Inter Milan in 2010. The Chelsea boss spoke after Benitez’s wife joked her husband was “tidying up” another Mourinho “mess” at Real. As well as Real, Benitez also managed Chelsea – although he did not directly replace Mourinho at either club. “The lady is a bit confused,” Mourinho, 52, said after Chelsea’s International Champions Cup win over Barcelona. “Her husband went to Chelsea to replace Roberto Di Matteo and he went to Real Madrid and replaced Carlo Ancelotti. “The only club where her husband replaced me was at Inter Milan, where in six months he destroyed the best team in Europe at the time. “If she takes care of her husband’s diet, she will not have any time to talk about me.” Benitez’s wife, Montserrat Seara, appears to have re-ignited a sometimes prickly relationship between the two managers, who have won a host of domestic and European honours between them, and previously clashed when they were the managers of Chelsea and Liverpool respectively. Mourinho guided Inter to a European and domestic treble in the 2009-10 season before he left for Real Madrid. Benitez took over and, despite leading Inter to wins in the Italian Supercoppa and the Fifa World Club Cup, he was sacked after six months with the team seventh in Serie A.

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has signed for Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact. The 37-year-old left Stamford Bridge this summer after playing 381 games and winning four Premier League titles across two spells with the London club. Drogba is the Ivory Coast’s all-time top scorer, with 65 goals in 105 international appearances. Montreal president Joey Saputo said the signing made it “one of the biggest days in club history”. He added: “It’s an honour to welcome Didier Drogba to the Impact. “From the first conversation I had with him, I felt that he really wanted to play in Montreal. “His arrival will be beneficial in every aspect.” Drogba will be a designated player at the Canadian side, which means his wages will not be restricted by the MLS salary cap. Impact, MLS members since 2012, finished bottom of the table last season. Drogba follows former Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard in moving to the North American league, with the 37-year-old having joined New York City.

Congolese striker Rudy Guelord Bhebey Ndey is in intensive care after falling on his head during a match. The 25-year-old AC Leopards captain was hurt in the 17th minute of his side’s Confederation Cup Group B match against Egypt’s Zamalek on Saturday. He was taken to the Air Force Specialized Hospital in Cairo and arrived “in a very bad condition”. On Tuesday, Dr Salah Abdelkhaleq said the player was doing better but it was too early to say if he will play again. “He had serious damage to his spinal column between the fifth and sixth vertebrae, a blow to the spinal cord, breathing difficulties and brain bleeding, but the surgery was successful,” the doctor said. “The latest is that respiration is now stable after instability respiration on Monday. Chest muscles have been affected because of bruises in the cervical spinal cord. “His blood pressure has stabilised, and the player is conscious and recognises people around him. “As the main problem is the bruise in the spinal cord, we can judge the case after he get days of rest and medical follow-up.”

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Nigeria international defender William Troost-Ekong has joined Belgian champions Gent. The 21-year-old, who was a youth player with Tottenham, has agreed a three-year contract. However, he will spend the first year on loan at Norway’s FK Haugesund. “I’m very happy to have signed with the Belgium champions. I took my time deciding on my next best step,” Troost-Ekong told BBC Sport. “I thank Gent for this great opportunity and I look forward to joining the club at the end of my loan.” The Super Eagle rejected a big-money offer from Russian club Rostov and he also turned down interest from Spanish second-tier club SD Ponferradina and an English Championship side. He added: “I spoke with the Nigeria coach [Sunday Oliseh] and the emphasis was for me to ensure that I am playing regular top-flight football even if that meant seeking a loan move. “I’m thankful for his advice and together with what I and my management had in mind, this was the best option. “Going to Norway gives me an opportunity to play regularly and continue my progress.” Troost-Ekong, who made his debut for Nigeria in a match against Chad on 13 June, represented the Netherlands at youth level before switching allegiance to his father’s country.