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Nigeria’s sprint star, Favour Ashe, says he is mentally and physically prepared for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, as Team Nigeria intensifies preparations for the multi-sport event, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 100m and 4x100m relay specialist, popularly known as “The Nigerian Nightmare”, said the national team’s training camp has played a key role in sharpening the athletes’ readiness ahead of the Games.

“Coming into the Commonwealth Games, I would say my mental is in the right spot. I’m ready mentally and physically. This training camp has been a huge boost for the athletes and has put us in a better mental space. So, yes, I would say I’m ready for the Commonwealth Games,” Ashe said.

The sprinter also urged Nigerians to rally behind Team Nigeria throughout the competition.

“I want Nigerians to support us—not just me, but every athlete representing the country. Family and friends should continue to encourage us and support us in every way they can. Thank you so much,” he added.

Ashe’s confidence comes as the Federal Government unveiled a financial reward package for medal winners at the Games.

National Sports Commission Director-General Bukola Olopade announced that gold medallists will receive $3,000, silver medallists $2,000 and bronze medallists $1,500, while coaches of medal-winning athletes will earn performance bonuses of $5,000. He also confirmed that the payment of camp allowances has commenced to ensure athletes are fully motivated ahead of the competition.

Nigeria is expected to field a strong contingent in Glasgow, including world record holder Tobi Amusan, sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi, shot put star Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, para-powerlifting champion Folashade Oluwafemiayo and several other elite athletes competing across athletics, boxing, cycling, swimming, weightlifting and para sports.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, with about 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competing in 10 sports.

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Spain shocked tournament favourites France 2-0 to reach the World Cup final on Tuesday, producing a tactical masterpiece to shatter Les Bleus’ dreams of winning the title for the third time.

A first-half penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a 58th-minute Pedro Porro goal sealed an utterly clinical victory for the European champions at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Spain, World Cup winners in 2010, will now face either Argentina or England in Sunday’s final in New Jersey.

France had entered the showdown as the overwhelming favourites for the tournament after a dazzling, goal-laden run to the semi-finals.

But France’s vaunted front four of captain Kylian Mbappe, Ballon D’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise were snuffed out by a combination of Spanish poise and power.

Spain, who had beaten France in their previous two competitive meetings, had vowed to go on the front foot in the pre-match build-up, and they proved as good as their word.

A superior performance by Spain’s midfield, led by Manchester City star Rodri and assisted by Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo, never allowed the French to gain a foothold in the contest.

Spain’s midfield quickly overran the outnumbered French duo of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni, passing around their opponents with ease to control the early exchanges.

The first signs of French frustration came after just nine minutes when midfielder Rabiot was booked for treading on Olmo’s foot on the edge of the area.

Yet despite the early dominance, it was France who looked the more threatening when venturing into the final third, and it needed a desperate late block by Pau Cubarsi to thwart Mbappe in the 16th minute as the French captain looked to break clear.

Spain’s early dominance got its reward in the 20th minute, though, when a hopeful cross by Marc Cucurella flew across the penalty area.

Lucas Digne didn’t get enough purchase on his attempted headed clearance, and as the Aston Villa player instinctively swung out a leg, he kicked Yamal, sending the Barcelona star crashing to the turf.

El Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton pointed immediately to the spot, and after a brief delay as French players loitered, Oyarzabal stepped up to sweep in a spot-kick that beat the dive of French goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

France’s rocky start got worse after 31 minutes when key central defender William Saliba hobbled off with an injury to be replaced by Maxence Lacroix.

Spain almost doubled their lead with a sublime passing move on 38 minutes when wonderful interplay on the edge of the area sliced open France’s defence, with Dayot Upamecano’s block denying Fabian Ruiz.

France enjoyed their best spell in the closing minutes of the first half, and only excellent anticipation from Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón denied Mbappé after Rabiot’s clever through ball.

Spain, though, reasserted themselves at the start of the second half, and Deschamps’ failure to adjust France’s tactics again left the Spanish midfield in charge.

At 58 minutes, Spain struck the hammer blow. Porro and Olmo worked a sensational one-two on the edge of the area that sent Porro through, and the Tottenham defender clipped a fine finish past Maignan.

Only a fractional offside decision denied Spain a third goal in the 61st minute, when Lamal had the ball in the net.

Deschamps made a flurry of substitutions, but France were unable to penetrate Spain’s smothering defence, their best chance coming when Mbappé’s shot was blocked at the near post by Simon.

French frustration was symbolised by Mbappe in the closing minutes, booked for following through on Simon as Spain closed out the victory.

AFP

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Police in South Africa have launched an investigation into the death of Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams, just two weeks after he helped his country reach the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time.

According to the Associated Press, the 25-year-old’s body was discovered on Saturday at a property in Cape Town’s Schotsche Kloof neighbourhood, with authorities confirming that the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.

“Cape Town central police registered an inquest for investigation following the discovery of the body of a 25-year-old male on Saturday,” police said in a statement, adding that no cause of death has yet been established.

Father of the deceased, Juanito Adams, said the family was awaiting the outcome of an autopsy before making funeral arrangements.

“As you all know, it was an untimely death. The family is struggling to process it. It won’t be easy to carry on. People say it will become easier, but it won’t. You just learn to live with it,” he said.

The midfielder featured in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping Bafana Bafana qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time in the nation’s history. He did not play in the team’s 1-0 defeat to Canada in the Round of 32 on June 28.

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Gayton McKenzie, urged the public to avoid speculation while investigations continue. He also revealed that Adams had shown remarkable resilience by playing against the Czech Republic only hours after learning of his grandmother’s death.

Tributes have continued to pour in following the midfielder’s passing, with moments of silence observed before the World Cup quarter-final matches between England and Norway and Argentina and Switzerland on Saturday.

Authorities have not announced when the results of the post-mortem examination will be released.