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Aryna Sabalenka defends upcoming ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios – as prominent tennis presenter rips into the Aussie
- Exhibition match in Dubai on December 28
Aryna Sabalenka is adamant her upcoming ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition clash with Nick Kyrgios will not be a meaningless gimmick that damages women’s sport.
The four-time grand slam champion and world No.1 has defended the contest against Australia’s world No.672 on December 28, claiming it will help take women’s tennis to a higher level.
And the two-time Australian Open winner has no doubt whatever the result in Dubai, there will be one real winner.
‘He’s in a lose-lose situation,’ Sabalenka said of Australia’s injury-hit former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios. ‘I’m in a win-win situation.’
In an interview with the BBC, which itself has been criticised in Britain for deciding to screen the event, Sabalenka dismissed the suggestions of those who believe the women’s game would be belittled if she loses.
‘I don’t agree,’ she said. ‘I am not putting myself at any risk. We are there to have fun and bring great tennis. Whoever wins, wins.’
“I’m going to show that women are strong and powerful.” 💪
Aryna Sabalenka says the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios will continue to help women’s tennis 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/ToG2X3hQvw
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 10, 2025 
World number one Aryna Sabalenka is adamant her ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition clash with Nick Kyrgios on December 28 won’t be a meaningless gimmick that damages women’s sport
Kyrgios – who is widely expected to emerge triumphant – isn’t feeling the pressure, telling reporters: ‘I’ve lost tennis matches before, so it’s not really a big deal’
‘It’s so obvious that the man is biologically stronger than the woman, but it’s not about that. This event is only going to help bring women’s tennis to a higher level.’
That view has been countered by many critics, including leading British TV tennis presenter Catherine Whitaker, who has dismissed the event as ‘a dog whistle publicity stunt’.
She was particularly scathing of Aussie maverick Kyrgios, saying: ‘I see absolutely nothing to be gained for women’s tennis – I see only bleakness.
‘It’s a crass commercial venture and a vehicle for one of the most outspoken misogynists in tennis who just wants attention.’
The match is an echo of the famous 1973 Battle of the Sexes match when Billie Jean King defeated 55-year-old former grand slam winner Bobby Riggs with a reported 90 million TV viewers tuning in.
Four months earlier, Riggs had beaten Australian star Margaret Court in a similar match in Ramona, California.
But Kyrgios, unlike Riggs, is still an active Tour player even though he’s played barely any tennis in 2025 because of injuries.
‘It’s not going to be an easy match for Nick,’ Sabalenka said. ‘I’m going to be there competing and showing women are strong, powerful and good entertainment.’
Kyrgios’s participation has also been criticised because he admitted assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2021 and last year had to distance himself from influencer Andrew Tate after sharing one of the self-proclaimed misogynist’s posts.
But he told BBC Sport he’s a different person now, adding: ‘You make comments when you’re younger and you change.
‘I’m not going to sit here and say I’m an amazing role model, but I’ve grown and I’m definitely more mature now.’
Kyrgios also insisted he wasn’t worried about losing to Sabalenka.
‘This is all a bonus. I’ve lost tennis matches before, so it’s not a big deal,’ he said.
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Aryna Sabalenka defends upcoming ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios – as prominent tennis presenter rips into the Aussie
Morocco head coach, Walid Regragui has released his 28-man squad for AFCON 2025, with PSG star Achraf Hakimi included despite concerns over his availability for the group stage.
Hakimi was forced off during PSG’s match against Bayern Munich after a heavy challenge from Luis Díaz.
Initial assessments indicated he would require up to six weeks of recovery, placing his participation in Morocco’s early matches at serious risk.
His condition continues to be evaluated by medical staff.
The Atlas Lions’ squad features key players such as Azzedine Ounahi, Nayef Aguerd, Sofyan Amrabat, Brahim Díaz, Chemsdine Talbi, and Noussair Mazraoui, reinforcing Morocco’s ambitions for the tournament.
FULL MOROCCO SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajoui, El Mehdi Al Harrar
DEFENDERS
Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Chibi, Jawad El Yamiq, Romain Saïss, Abdelhamid Aït Bouldal, Nayef Aguerd,
Adam Masina, Noussair Mazraoui, Anass Salah-Eddine
MIDFIELDERS
Oussama Targhalline, Sofyan Amrabat, Ismael Saibari, Neil El Aynaoui, Bilal El Khannous, Azzedine Ounahi
FORWARDS
Brahim Díaz, Ilias Akhomach, Chemsdine Talbi, Youssef En-Nesyri, Ayoub El Kaabi, Soufiane Rahimi, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Eliesse Ben Seghir
RESERVES
Hamza Igamane, Youssef Belammari
Coach of Morocco Walid Regragui and Achraf Hakimi. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Morocco enter the tournament under considerable pressure to deliver. Ranked 12th in the world and No.1 in Africa, expectations are higher than ever, especially with the Atlas Lions hosting AFCON on home soil.
Also read: Victor Osimhen’s European Streak Ends in Monaco
Their historic 2022 World Cup semi-final run has increased scrutiny, establishing them as favourites in every continental tournament since.
The urgency to win is at the top as Morocco last lifted the AFCON trophy in 1976, almost five decades ago.
The Atlas Lions are placed in Group A alongside Comoros, Mali, and Zambia. They will kick off their campaign on 21 December against Comoros.
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Arne Slot delivers worrying Liverpool injury update as forward picks up fresh issue ahead of Brighton game
Alexander Isak is an injury doubt and could miss Liverpool’s clash against Brighton, Arne Slot has said.
The £125million man, who became British football’s most expensive player of all time in the summer, has endured a stop-start time to life at Anfield.
In his 14 appearances, Isak has just two goals and one assist and has largely been outperformed by team-mate Hugo Ekitike.
But Slot has been tinkering with his selections and most recently paired the two forwards during their 1-0 victory over Inter Milan during the week.
And while the Liverpool boss said that partnership is something he will turn to again in the future, he cast doubt over it being deployed this weekend due to Isak taking a ‘knock’ at the San Siro.
‘Alex got a knock in the first half,’ Slot told a press conference on Monday. ‘So let’s see how he recovers from that today and if he is able to start tomorrow.’
Alexander Isak is an injury doubt to face Brighton after picking up a knock against Inter Milan
Isak has recently been paired with Hugo Ekitike – who has enjoyed a better start at Liverpool
Sweden striker Isak has started 10 games since moving to Liverpool from Newcastle, but is yet to complete an entire 90 minutes.
He was hooked after 68 minutes in Milan, due to the the injury, but has missed five games already through fitness issues this season.
In his absence fellow summer arrival Ekitike got off to a blistering start at Anfield, but he too has tailed off and went a run of eight Premier League games without a goal until scoring a brace at Leeds last week.
Liverpool will be without Cody Gakpo for the game against Brighton but fellow forward Federico Chiesa is set to return after illness.
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Arne Slot delivers worrying Liverpool injury update as forward picks up fresh issue ahead of Brighton game
A few days to the kick-off of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, football lovers in Nigeria are protesting CAF’s decision to limit the number of matches that will be shown on terrestrial or Free-to-Air television to 32, while European terrestrial stations have the right to show all 52 games.
It will be recalled that CAF has limited public channels to only 32 of the 52 matches, a number many Nigerians consider insufficient.
A cross-section of Nigerians interviewed around the country by our correspondents called on the Federal Government to work with the Heads of State of other African countries to call CAF to order and ensure that the injustice is reversed before the tournament begins on December 21, 2025.
Malik Sani, an Abuja-based football aficionado, could not believe that CAF is allowing European televisions to show all the matches free on terrestrial stations in Europe, while Africans, the owners of the championships, are limited to only 32 matches.
“Will UEFA limit the number of EURO Championship matches to be shown in Europe to 32 and give Africa 52 matches?” Sani asked rhetorically.
“We all know Europeans will never do that; they will give their citizens all the matches free and ask Africans to pay for all the matches.”
He could not understand the rationale behind giving all 52 matches free to Europeans, most of whom have pay television, and limiting Nigerians and Africans — where 80% of the citizens can’t afford pay television but rely on terrestrial television — to just 32 matches.
“This is unfair. We hope our government and other Heads of State across Africa will work with CAF to correct this injustice before the AFCON begins in a few days.”
European countries will be able to watch all 52 AFCON matches on Free-to-Air television. In the United Kingdom, for example, Channel 4 will show all 52 matches on free-to-air television for UK viewers. The 52 matches will be on E4, 4Seven, Channel 4 Streaming, and Channel 4 Sport YouTube.
Speaking on the deal, CAF General Secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba, said: “The agreement between CAF and Channel 4 is historic in many ways, and it ensures that the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will live in every household in the UK.’’
Stanley Okoro, an Enugu-based football fan, said the CAF General Secretary’s statement shows the premium they place on Africans and Africa.
“Will UEFA prioritise the EURO being shown in every home in Africa over Europe? I hope our leaders will intervene and call CAF to order before the championships begin. How many homes have pay television in Nigeria? How many can afford it? This is not fair to us,’’ said Okoro.
It is not only Nigerians who are kicking against what has been described as a slap in the face of Africans, but many Francophone public broadcasters are also seeking to secure the rights to show more matches free-to-air.
They are demanding access to all 52 matches. They argue that the decision to limit Africa’s free-to-air broadcasters to just 32 matches runs counter to the principle of universal access and say a competition partly funded by governments should be entirely available to the public.
There are insinuations that CAF president Patrice Motsepe’s interest in French broadcaster Canal+, which recently acquired MultiChoice Group, may partly be responsible for the decision, as it is believed they are subtly coaxing Africans to acquire pay television decoders and watch all 52 matches on pay television.
Portuguese giants FC Porto are reportedly making moves to delay the release of Super Eagles left-back Zaidu Sanusi ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Naija News reports that Sanusi was included in Nigeria’s 28-man provisional squad unveiled on Thursday by head coach Eric Chelle.
Reports indicate that although the club is expected to free the defender after their Portuguese league match against Estrela next Monday, Porto are now pushing to keep him longer.
According to One Football, the Dragons want the 26-year-old to feature in their Portuguese Cup clash against Famalicão on 18 December before joining the Nigerian camp.
The move, however, appears to contradict FIFA’s directive requiring clubs to release players for the AFCON by Monday, December 15.
Despite the global body’s position, Porto are said to be exploring ways to retain the Nigerian international until after the crucial Cup tie.
Sanusi, who has battled injuries in recent months, is still regarded as Nigeria’s first-choice left-back and is expected to play a key role in the team’s AFCON campaign.
More updates are expected as both club and country navigate the release deadline ahead of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Nigerian striker, Ademola Lookman will make his final appearance of the year for Atalanta on Saturday before heading out to link up with the Super Eagles ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ademola Lookman, 27, is expected to feature in Atalanta’s festive charity fixture against Cagliari at the New Balance Arena.
The annual Christmas match, now in its fifteenth year, was introduced by club president Antonio Percassi and has grown into one of the Bergamo side’s most recognisable traditions.
Atalanta confirmed the match details in a statement on their official website, noting: “The final home fixture before the holidays will see Atalanta face Cagliari on Saturday, December 13, with kick-off at 20:45 CET. As per tradition, the shirts worn by the team for the Christmas Match will once again be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to charity.”
Once the full-time whistle blows, Lookman is expected to depart for the Super Eagles’ camp on Sunday. Nigeria will take on Egypt in a friendly on 16 December as part of their preparation for the tournament in Morocco.
Lookman heads into AFCON in fine form. After a difficult start to the campaign, he has rediscovered his spark in recent weeks and played a major role in Atalanta’s impressive 2-1 win over Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
Manchester United have ruled out any possibility of signing Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos in the January transfer window.
Reports had suggested that the Red Devils were considering a surprise move for Ramos after the veteran defender recently became a free agent.
Ramos left Mexican club Monterrey earlier this month following the expiry of his contract.
However, according to ESPN, Manchester United have “no interest” in signing the 39-year-old and are not pursuing a sensational deal to bring him to Manchester.
Ramos has won one World Cup and two European Championships, as well as four UEFA Champions League titles and five La Liga titles over the course of his career.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are expected to sign new players in the January transfer window to strengthen manager Ruben Amorim’s squad for the second half of the season.
Former Liverpool defender, John Arne Riise believes Liverpool will finish above Manchester United in the Premier League standings despite the Reds’ current struggles.
Liverpool easily won the Premier League under head coach Arne Slot last season and were expected to have another successful season after investing £450 million in new players throughout the summer. However, they haven’t yet discovered their best.
The club is also dealing with a melodrama involving star player Mohamed Salah, who said he felt “thrown under the bus” after being benched for the most recent games , and was not included in the matchday squad for the victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
Despite being far from flawless and not having to cope with European competition this season, United currently sit sixth in the Premier League table.
That puts the Red Devils two points and four spots ahead of Liverpool, who are in 10th position.
Riise Claims Liverpool Will Finish Higher Than Man United
According to the Manchester Evening News, Riise is confident Liverpool could turn things around.
Read Also:Iniesta: Pedri Is A Delight To Watch At Barca
“I’m quite sure Liverpool will finish higher than Manchester United,” he said.
“Even though I have to say I do want United up there again, because we need Manchester United up there fighting for Champions League spots and stuff.
“I really want Ruben Amorim to do well as well because I think he’s had a hard time since he came to the club and he still is quite stubborn.
“But yeah, Liverpool is going to finish above Man United, no question about that.”
Man United And Liverpool Next Fixtures
Man United will be looking to climb further in the standings when they host Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Liverpool on the hand will seek to extend their unbeaten run with Brighton and Hove Albion coming next for them at Anfield on Saturday.
By Habeeb Kuranga
A New Kind of Matchday Hype
Matchdays used to follow a predictable rhythm: wake up, skim the news, wait for kickoff. But football culture is changing so quickly that the old routine feels almost unrecognizable. Fans are no longer just watching the game; they’re building entire digital rituals around it—podcasts, prediction banter, pre-match strategy debates, and even interactive entertainment that adds a little extra spark to the build-up. Some fans even explore digital gaming platforms for that adrenaline boost before kickoff; You can find a variety of exciting games on this platform, which shows how the modern football audience blends sport and entertainment more fluidly than ever.
For a community like Brila’s—veteran radio listeners, young online enthusiasts, weekend warriors, stat lovers, dreamers—this shift feels almost natural. The excitement doesn’t begin at kickoff anymore. It begins the moment you grab your phone in the morning and check what football storyline is trending.
Why Matchday Feels Bigger Than the Match
Football is still the heart of the experience, but everything orbiting it is growing at lightning speed. We’ve entered a season where fans are as invested in tactical data as they are in the final score, where a manager’s pre-game comment can ignite half the continent, and where anticipation is carefully built hour by hour across social channels.
1. Pre-Match Rituals Have Gone Digital
It’s not just team sheets or injury updates anymore. Fans now dive into short-form analysis videos, tactical explainers, line-breaking graphics, and community polls. This mini-universe builds a type of excitement that stadium crowds used to hold exclusively.
2. Interactive Entertainment Fills the Gaps
There’s a reason the “dead hours” before a match barely exist now. Fans jump into fantasy picks, predictor contests, and adrenaline-driven games to stay plugged into the action even before the whistle blows. The psychology is simple: football is emotional, and people love anything that amplifies that feeling.
3. Fan Communities Drive the Narrative
A brilliant goal is great—but the collective reaction online? Sometimes better. Group chats, fan spaces, heated debates, tactical threads, memes—football lives inside these moments just as much as it lives in the stadium.
The Trend That’s Taking Over: “Companion Entertainment”
One of the biggest cultural shifts in football fandom is the growth of what many analysts now call companion entertainment—content and activities that sit beside the match without replacing it.
It’s like how many fans now follow real-time predictions while watching a Champions League knockout game, or how they scroll live reactions during a controversial VAR review. This blend of football + digital activity creates a more layered emotional experience.
And it’s not just anecdotal. According to a recent insight report from Forbes, younger fans are driving a massive surge in dual-screen sports consumption, treating their phone as a second stadium seat.
Why Fans Love This New Culture
The shift isn’t random. It’s rooted in deeper fan psychology.
Football Is Community
People want to celebrate together—whether they’re in Lagos traffic listening to radio commentary, or sitting on a couch in Abuja refreshing match stats. Digital tools simply make that shared experience easier.
Football Is Escapism
Matchdays are emotional breaks from everyday life. Anything that elevates that rush—analysis, arguments, entertainment—feels welcome.
Football Is Identity
Supporting a club has always been personal. Now, online spaces allow fans to express that identity in bigger and louder ways—through content, commentary, trends, humor, and community rituals.
What This Means for Sports Platforms
Sports media channels like Brila.net now play a bigger role in shaping matchday culture. They’re not just delivering news—they’re helping fans feel connected, informed, and emotionally plugged in.
The New Expectations
Fans want:
- Instant, sharp insights, not generic match previews
- Human reactions, not robotic reports
- Community energy, not one-way broadcasting
- Opportunities to participate, not just observe
Platforms that provide these layers build loyalty that lasts beyond a single matchday.
Content With Personality Wins
Today’s fans recognize authenticity immediately. They gravitate toward voices that feel grounded—hosts who sound like the guy you’d argue football with at a viewing center, writers who capture the rhythm of real conversation, and analysts who keep things sharp but relatable.
Where Matchday Culture Goes Next
The evolution isn’t slowing down. Over the next few years, expect matchdays to feel even more immersive.
Hyper-Personalized Football Feeds
AI-driven tools will soon curate news and stats based on your favorite players and clubs—your own private matchday brief.
More Real-Time Interaction
Live fan walls, instant reaction spaces, and global micro-communities will make every big game feel like a festival.
Entertainment Layering
From prediction games to interactive visual storytelling, matchday will feel like a multi-sensory event rather than a simple broadcast.
The Heart of It All Still Hasn’t Changed
Despite all the digital twists, the core remains the same: football is joy, frustration, hope, heartbreak—sometimes all within the same ninety minutes. All the digital add-ons simply help fans feel those emotions more deeply and share them more widely.
Matchday isn’t just a time slot anymore. It’s an experience—one that begins early, evolves constantly, and continues long after the final whistle. And for fans who live and breathe the sport, that’s exactly how it should be.
Cristiano Ronaldo has paid a warm tribute to Rui Patrício after the long-serving Portugal goalkeeper announced the end of his playing career.
Rui Patrício confirmed his retirement in a message shared on the official Instagram page of the Portuguese national team, drawing the curtain on a remarkable 19-year journey in professional football.
The 37-year-old had been without a club since leaving Al Ain in June.
Ronaldo, who captained Patrício for more than a decade at the international level, responded beneath the post with a simple but heartfelt message.
The Al Nassr forward wrote: “Thank you for everything, Rui! Congratulations on your career!”
Patrício bows out as Portugal’s most capped goalkeeper, having made 108 appearances for the Seleção after his debut in 2010. He played a central role in some of the national team’s greatest modern moments, including the Euro 2016 triumph and the 2019 Nations League victory.
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed that he will be honoured on Friday at the City of Football in Oeiras. In its statement, the FPF praised Patrício’s “unique career” and highlighted his “enormous longevity” guarding Portugal’s goal.
His club career began at Sporting CP, where he rose through the academy ranks before making his senior debut in 2006 as an 18-year-old under Paulo Bento. His first appearance was unforgettable.
He saved a second-half penalty to secure a 1-0 win over Marítimo, a moment that paved the way for him to become Sporting’s undisputed number one for more than a decade.
Patrício made 467 appearances for Sporting and won several domestic trophies, including two Portuguese Cups, two Super Cups and a League Cup. He eventually left the club in 2018, amid the fallout from the violent fan attack at the Alcochete training centre.
He went on to join Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he reunited with Nuno Espírito Santo. Wolves later paid €18 million to Sporting for his transfer.
Patrício made 127 appearances in three seasons before moving to Roma, where he played 129 matches and lifted the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League trophy under José Mourinho.
The goalkeeper later spent a brief spell with Atalanta, featuring only six times, before making his final move to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. He played twice for the club in the FIFA Club World Cup, including a heavy defeat to Juventus and a win against WAC Casablanca.
Patrício’s international career was equally rich. After making his Portugal debut in a memorable 4-0 win over world champions Spain in 2010, he went on to feature in five European Championships and three World Cups.
His last appearance for the national team came in March 2024 during a friendly win over Sweden in Guimarães.
Though called up for Euro 2024, he did not feature as Diogo Costa had taken over as Portugal’s first-choice goalkeeper. He has not been included in the squad since.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
On Thursday, the head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, released his final squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
There have been notable omissions from the list of 28 players.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, striker Tolu Arokodare and Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye were cut out from the initial 54-man provisional squad.
Chelle has opted for 2018 World Cup goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, and Samsunspor striker, Paul Onuachu.
Ola Aina, who is currently recovering from injury, has not been included in the squad.
Ex-captain, William Troost-Ekong, is absent having announced his retirement from international football last week.
There are four uncapped players called up by Chelle. They include Blackburn Rovers’ Ryan Alebiosu. The defender, who recently switched his allegiance to Nigeria from England, is seen as the replacement for the injured Benjamin Fredricks.
The other potential debutants are Ebenezer Akinsanmiro who plays for Pisa, Salim Fago of Croatian club NK Istra, Usman Muhammed of Israeli club Ironi Tiberius and Tochukwu Nnadi of Dutch club Zulte Waregem.
Also making returns are defender Chidozie Awaziem and midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has disclosed that Pedri is a key player for Blaugrana and Spain.
In a chat with AS, Iniesta stated that Pedri’s impressive qualities are always a delight to watch at Barca.
“Pedri is Pedri. He’s not a mix of anything.He has his own qualities, his own strengths, his own strengths to keep growing and improving because he’s a very young guy, even though he’s a key player for Barça and the national team.
Read Also:Glasner Hails Uche, Palace Teammates For Europa Conference League Away Win
“The beautiful thing about him is that if you watch him on TV, you’re amazed by what he does, how effortlessly, simply, and naturally he does it.
“It’s a joy to have him at Barça for the fans and on the national team for all Spaniards.”
“I’m very loyal to my teams. I’d pay to play for Barça and the national team. For Pedri, Fermín (Lopez), (Dani) Olmo, Mikel Merino, Fabián (Ruiz) — I like them all a lot. There are so many high-quality players, countless. It’s great for a midfielder.”