Sport

Romania, defeated by France 3-2, fails to qualify for Fed Cup final

Published

4 years ago

July 15, 2021

The main thing that you have to remember on this journey is just be nice to everyone and always smile. Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast, where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi (fried dough), local jam and peppermint tea.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery.

We wandered the site with busloads of other tourists, yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed. I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

If You Have It, You Can Make Anything Look Good

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

Sport

Brighton’s Carlos Baleba Gives Green Light to Manchester United Move

Published

15 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Manchester United have moved closer to securing Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, with the 21-year-old reportedly approving a summer switch to Old Trafford.

According to transfer source IndyKaila, the Cameroon international has informed Brighton of his desire to join United, while his agent has agreed personal terms with the club. The deal now depends on the two sides settling on a transfer fee.

Baleba has emerged as United’s top target after the club failed to land Atalanta’s Ederson. Manager Ruben Amorim is eager to bolster his midfield options following Christian Eriksen’s departure in July, with plans to deploy Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role next season.

Brighton, however, are holding firm on their £100 million valuation — the same ballpark as Moises Caicedo, who joined Chelsea for €115 million last year. The Seagulls are reluctant to sell after Baleba’s standout 2023/24 season, in which he made 40 appearances, scored four goals, and registered two assists. His Estimated Transfer Value has risen by over €40 million in the past year.

United have already spent €229.7 million this summer on Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Diego Leon. Despite that investment, the club is still pursuing reinforcements, with a new goalkeeper also under consideration amid uncertainty over Andre Onana’s future.

Source: Football Transfer

If you want, I can also rework this into a tighter 150-word breaking news version that’s perfect for social media or live sports feeds. That would make it punchier and faster to read. Would you like me to do that next?

Sport

PSG Launch €150m Bid for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez

Published

16 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Chelsea’s summer transfer window, so far dominated by player exits, has taken a dramatic turn with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly tabling a massive €150 million bid for midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

According to Fichajes, the European champions view the Argentine as the perfect replacement for Fabian Ruiz, who is set to leave the French capital. PSG’s proposal is said to include €125 million guaranteed plus €25 million in add-ons, with manager Luis Enrique a long-time admirer of the 24-year-old.

While the accuracy of the Spanish report remains unconfirmed, Fernandez has been no stranger to transfer speculation. Earlier in the summer, he was heavily linked with Real Madrid, though those rumours faded without action. This latest approach, however, appears more concrete given PSG’s urgent need for midfield reinforcements and the staggering size of the offer.

Since joining from Benfica, Fernandez has grown into one of the most influential figures in Enzo Maresca’s system. After a challenging adaptation period in the Premier League, he flourished last season, scoring nine goals and providing 17 assists. Maresca’s tactics have unlocked his ability to both dictate play and make late runs into the box, turning him into a complete midfield threat.

Losing Fernandez now would strip Chelsea of their midfield heartbeat and disrupt their attacking rhythm—especially with Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku already tipped to leave before the window closes. Sanctioning his sale could spark unrest among fans and raise doubts over the club’s ambitions.

Even so, in the era of strict financial rules, €150 million is a sum few clubs could ignore. With the transfer deadline approaching, the next move from Chelsea will be telling. Holding firm would signal their intent to compete for top honours; accepting PSG’s bid could mark a seismic shift in the club’s direction for the new season.

If you want, I can also make a more headline-driven, newswire-style version so it reads sharper for quick publication. That would cut about 30% of the length while keeping the key facts. Would you like me to do that next?

Sport

Benue Governor Honours Super Falcons Star Francisca Ordega with ₦50m, House, and Street Naming

Published

3 days ago

August 8, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has rewarded Super Falcons forward Francisca Ordega with ₦50 million, a three-bedroom apartment in Makurdi, and the naming of a street in her honour, in recognition of her role in Nigeria’s historic triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The gesture comes two weeks after the Super Falcons secured their 10th WAFCON title with a dramatic 3–2 victory over Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses in Rabat.

At a ceremony in the state capital on Friday, Governor Alia commended Ordega’s exceptional contribution to the win, describing her as a source of pride for Benue and an inspiration to aspiring athletes.

“Francisca Ordega has made Benue State and Nigeria proud. Her commitment, discipline, and talent deserve to be celebrated. This is our little way of saying thank you,” the governor said.

Ordega, who hails from Gboko Local Government Area, is a decorated Nigerian international currently playing for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad Club. She has represented the Super Falcons at multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups and African Women’s Championships, cementing her place as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished female footballers.

If you’d like, I can also make a short breaking news version perfect for headlines or quick social updates.