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Alcaraz retains no. 1 spot over Djokovic in latest ATP rankings

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Carlos Alcaraz will remain the world’s top player ahead of Novak Djokovic by the slightest of margins , at least for the next three weeks in the latest ATP Rankings.

Alcaraz and Djokovic served up an instant classic in episode No. 4 of their intriguing rivalry last Sunday. Djokovic saved a championship en route to winning his third Cincinnati Masters in a final for the record books. However, he fell just short in his quest to reclaim the No. 1 ranking by a meager 20 points.

Alcaraz did the bare minimum he was required to by virtue of reaching the Cincinnati final. The Spanish young gun was guaranteed to hold onto top spot for the next three weeks including the 2023 US Open where he will be the top seed with 9,815 points.

Djokovic is 20 points behind in second place with 9,795 garnering a maximum of 1,000 ranking points for winning a record-extending 39th Masters title. It’s quite an astonishing turn of events considering how one point could have completely changed the course of the rankings permutations.

Had Alcaraz converted his championship point in the second-set tiebreak, he would have established an 820-point lead over Djokovic. The Serbian star will now be the red-hot favorite to take back the No. 1 ranking in New York where he doesn’t defend any points and will only need to win his first-round match.

There is movement in the world’s Top 10. Danish Next Gen star Holger Rune moves to a new career-high mark of No. 4. Alcaraz and Rune are the first two 20-year-olds to be ranked in the world’s Top 4 simultaneously since 1992. Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas falls to 7th spot after losing 510 points for his failure to defend his runner-up points from 2022.

Alexander Zverev inches closer to re-entering the Top 10 after his semifinal finish in Ohio, making up five spots and rising to No. 12. Croatia’s Borna Coric was the defending champion in Cincinnati, but his second-round exit last week means that he represents the biggest drop in the world’s Top 30, cascading to 29th.

Australia will have four men in the world’s Top 50. Outside Alex de Minaur, there are new career highs for Alexei Popyrin (40th) and Max Purcell (47th) who both reached the Cincinnati quarterfinals, while Jordan Thompson rejoins the Top 50.

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Nigeria Premier League

Lobi Stars Face Sunshine in Ijebu Ode in NPFL Matchday 12 Clash

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Lobi Stars Face Sunshine in Ijebu Ode in NPFL Matchday 12 Clash

Following the team’s recent victory over Abia Warriors, Lobi Stars’ head coach, Mika Lönnström, has urged his team to maintain momentum as they aim to exit the relegation zone against Sunshine Stars.

A full-strength squad, including Ossy Martins, and Emmanuel Nnaji, will travel to Ijebu Ode, while Moses Tsehuan, Itodo Akor, and Samuel Tiza remain sidelined due to injury.

The two teams have a history of home wins, with Lobi Stars securing a 3-2 home victory in their previous encounter in Lafia, while Sunshine Stars won 2-0 in a reverse in Akure.

Key players to watch include Ossy Martins, Segun Olorintoba, and Sunshine Stars’ trio of David Obiazo, Seth Mayi, and Tunde Sodiq.

Dipo Dino International Stadium will host the highly anticipated match.

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Nigeria Premier League

Lagos FA Ready For Super Falcons, Algeria Friendly

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Lagos State Football Association has reiterated its readiness to host the second leg of the friendly matches between the Super Falcons and the Green Ladies of Algeria.

The match is slated to hold at the prestigious Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos. And towards a successful hosting, the Lagos FA, was today represented by Hon. Damilare Orimoloye, the SSA On Sports to His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who hosted both teams to a reception Monday, at the State House.

Hon. Orimoloye, who is also a board member of the LSFA, speaking on behalf of FA Chairman Hajji Gafar Liameed, who travelled outside the country, enthused that Lagos FA, would as usual, put in its best efforts to ensure a seamless organisation of the international match.

The Super Falcons on Saturday defeated their Algerian counterparts 2-0, courtesy of a brace by Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade, in the first leg played at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.

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Nigeria Premier League

1472 FC Unveils New Jerseys For 2024/ 2025 Season

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Lagos based NNL side, 1472 Football Club last Saturday at the high-brow HEREL Play, Ikoyi, Lagos, unveiled it’s new sets of playing kits for the 2024/2025 NNL season.

The fast-growing football club owned by UK-based successful businessman and entrepreneur, Dozy Mmobuosi, is set to take the Nigerian football scene by the storm.

The well-attended and glamorous event attracted top football personalities and people from different walks of life that included Hon. Desmond Elliott, Gliffeth Wonuigwe, CEO of GAS Group International and the Secretary of Lagos State Football Association, Akeem Rabiu-Okikiopusu.

Speaking during event, the Chief Executive Officer of the team, Seyi Jones remarked, “If you recall, last season we started on a bright note by winning all our matches. And suddenly, distractions caused us to lose focus. But now, I make bold to say, we are back on our feet much stronger.”

Jones noted that the drive and passion of Dozy Mmobuosi, to use football as a catalyst for social change, is a strong force. Adding that the team aims to develop global football stars. And towards achieving that, the management of the team are working on some synergies that would give the desired results.

The experienced football administrator continued, “My plan is to see our team join the elite clubs in the NPFL and move players to some of our partnered clubs abroad.

On the uniqueness of the team, he said, “We came about the name 1472 FC, because that was the century, Lagos was discovered by the Portuguese explorers. The club belongs to Lagosians.”

He called on well-placed individuals, investors and corporate bodies to come forward to support the team, as it plans to make the state and Nigeria proud.

“1472 FC is your team, especially the Surulere axis where we pitch our tent. Let them take ownership by coming all out to support their darling team,” he added.

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