American tennis sensation Coco Gauff stormed to victory at the China Open on Sunday, overpowering Karolina Muchová 6-1, 6-3 in a dominant display. With this victory, the 20-year-old became the first American to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 2013, adding her eighth WTA title to her growing collection.

The win marked another historic milestone for Gauff, as she became the first woman in WTA history to win her first seven hard-court finals in the Open era. In her post-match interview, Gauff was gracious in her praise of Muchová, saying, “Congratulations to you, Karolina. It’s great to see you back on tour. You’re such an amazing player and you deserve everything.”

From the outset, Gauff was relentless, stamping her authority on the final by wrapping up the first set in just 30 minutes. Muchová, despite her strong form coming into the match with wins over US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, struggled to match Gauff’s intensity.

The Czech player, who has battled injuries throughout the season, was unable to handle Gauff’s power and precision. The American limited her unforced errors to just eight, while Muchová committed 24, a statistic that played a crucial role in the outcome of the match.

Muchová briefly threatened a comeback in the second set, breaking Gauff’s serve to take a 2-0 lead. However, Gauff quickly regained control, breaking back immediately and asserting her dominance to close out the match in straight sets.

This victory marked Gauff’s first title in nine months and her first since making changes to her coaching team. She recently added Matt Daly as her new coach, parting ways with Brad Gilbert, who had previously helped her secure titles at the US Open, Cincinnati, and Washington.

Next on Gauff’s agenda is the Wuhan Open, where she will aim to build on her remarkable form as she continues to rise in the world rankings.

● Debie Rajah

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has been linked with a potential move to Juventus in the upcoming January 2025 transfer window, according to reports by renowned Italian journalist Paolo Paganini. The report, which aired on the football program 90° Minuto, suggests that Juventus is actively considering Osimhen as a key target to bolster their attack for the second half of the season.

Currently on loan at Turkish club Galatasaray following a difficult stint in the English Premier League, Osimhen has remained a highly sought-after forward across Europe. Juventus’ interest could reunite him with Cristiano Giuntoli, the sporting director who initially brought him to Napoli during his time there. Giuntoli is believed to be a strong advocate for Osimhen, seeing him as a player who can add dynamism and goal-scoring prowess to the Bianconeri attack.

“Juventus is on the lookout for a top striker, and Victor Osimhen is definitely one of their primary targets,” Paganini revealed during the broadcast. “Giuntoli has always been a big admirer of Osimhen’s talents, and a move could be on the cards in January.”

Juventus has struggled to find consistency in their forward line, prompting the club to explore several options ahead of the winter transfer window. Osimhen, with his proven track record in Serie A and his versatility, is seen as an ideal fit to revitalize the club’s fortunes in front of goal. A source within Juventus hinted that the club sees Osimhen as a “long-term investment.”

Fans of Juventus are reportedly excited about the possibility of the Nigerian striker joining their ranks. “Osimhen has shown time and again that he can deliver in Italy. Bringing him to Juventus would be a brilliant move,” one supporter stated. Whether the deal materializes remains to be seen, but Osimhen’s potential return to Italy is already generating significant buzz in the football world.

…As YELI kicks off Football Tournament

▪️By Japheth Onyilofo

Vice President of Doctors Health Initiative and Medical Director/CEO of Novo Health Africa Ltd., Dorothy Jeff-Nnamani yesterday charged Nigeria youth to adequately gear up to assume leadership positions by taking active part in sporting activities.

Dr Jeff-Nnamani who made the call in an address at Community Secondary School field Umueze Awkunanaw, Nkanu West Local Government Area, Enugu State, at the kickoff of football tournament organized for the youth by her pet project, Youth Entrepreneurship and Leadership Initiative, YELI, expressed delight over the take off of the competition.

Dr Jeff-Nnamani

The competition christened YELI Soccer Tournament is one of the avenues through which YELI, Dr. DorothyJeff-Nnamani’s initiative wants to give back to the society. “YELI is my pet-project that seeks to give back to society through youth entrepreneurship and leadership development”. She said.

Furthermore, she expressed confidence that the tournament would be a veritable instrument in training the youth to acquire leadership skills, “key characteristics, qualities, skills and attributes of a leader are inevitably found in sports. Effective sports men or women must have to display a higher degree of integrity and honesty”.

The philanthropist who developed interest in sports as a child hinted that it was her late father who ignited the fire in her. “As a child I watched my late father HRH Igwe, Chukwuma Nwankwo, Igwe Naezoruoha 1 of Obinagu Uwani Akpugo, who owned a football team called Olympic Football Club Enugu displaying the spirit of Sportmanship whenever his team won or lost a match”.

Her address reads in part, “I am greatly delighted to do the kick-off of YELI SOCCER TOURNAMENT, a flagship of Youth Entrepreneurship and Leadership Initiative (YELI). YELI is my pet-project that seeks to give back to society through youth entrepreneurship and leadership development…”

Continuing, she said “Looking back, As a child I watched my late father HRH Igwe Chukwuma Nwankwo Igwe Naezoruoha I of Obinagu Uwani Akpugo, who owned a sport (football) team called Olympic Football Club Enugu displaying the spirit of sportmanship when his team won or lost a match. I can still remember him telling the coaches and players about team building. He always put in his best business acumen and community leadership ability in scouting, discovering and training of football talents in the then Anambra State. One of the outstanding product of Olympic Football team is Christian Chukwu popularly known as Chairman Chukwu, whose exceptional leadership skills as the captain of our National Team earned Nigeria her first African Nations Cup trophy in 1980. Another significant person is Senator Ken Nnamani who was the senate president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 4th Republic. Agree or disagree, as popular opinions have it, Sen. Ken Nnamani’s leadership ability was the death sentence to the 3rd term ambition of the then Obasanjo regime in the year 2005.

“In the light of the above and in view of the myriad of leadership challenges facing the nation, YELI Soccer with the theme “Leadership through Sports” is an instrument we are using to train the youths on leadership skills. From available data, there is a strong correlation between leadership and sports.

“Let me reiterate, like the African celebrated writer Chinua Achebe, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely is a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of her leaders to rise to their responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of leadership”.

The key characteristics, qualities, skills and attributes of a leader are inevitably found in sports. Effective sport men or women must have to display a higher degree of integrity and honesty. They are invariably good communicators, confident in their own ability and exude a positive attitude. Unfortunately these qualities seem to be in short supply in our country.

“On this note, I want to urge the coaches and players in this tournament to look at the skills and qualities that helped you to build a team of your best players on merit, and apply them to the way you lead in your family, community, church, business and offices. That is the magic formula our country needs; you may be surprised at the result”, she concluded.

In the opening match of the tournament, Agbani Football Club walloped Akpawfu Football Club by un replied two goals.

According to GMTNews reporter at the event, fixtures for other matches of the tournament as released by the Coordinator, Mr. Onyema Okoani, on September 20, 2022, Ihuokpara will lock horns with Ugbawka by 2:00 PM, while Obuoffia will take on Obe by 3:50 PM. Both matches take place at Central School Nara.

September 21, 2022,
Amaechi Idodo will slug it out with Amankanu at 2:00 PM. Amodu and Amagunze will trade tackles by 3:50 PM, the matches will be played at St. John’s Field Agbani.

Others will be played as follows: 22nd Sept.2022, Nomeh Vs Nkerefi by 2:00 PM;
Amurri Vs Mburubu by 3:50 PM both at Community Primary School, Isienu Amagunze.

On 23rd Sept. 2022, Ubahu squares up with Ozalla, as Nara battles Akegbe-Ugwu. Venue is Akpugo Boys’ Secondary School, Akpugo.

September 24, 2022, Oruku will play Umueze by 2:00pm, while it will be Owoh Vs Akpugo by 3:50pm @St. John’s Field Agbani. GMTNews