Sophia Smith scored in extra time, leading the U.S. women’s national team to a victory over Germany in a tense semifinal match at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday.

This win propels the Americans to the gold medal game on Saturday, where they will face Brazil, who triumphed over Spain.

The United States, under new coach Emma Hayes, is aiming for its first gold medal since 2012.

However, Brazil secured a spot in the final by defeating world champions Spain in a dominant performance.

An own goal by Irene Paredes started Brazil’s scoring, followed by a goal from Gabi Portilho just before half-time.

Adriana added a third goal, despite Brazil missing their all-time leading scorer, Marta, who was suspended after a red card in the group stage.

Although Duda Sampaio’s own goal gave Spain some hope, Kerolin’s goal in added time and a late consolation from Salma Paralluelo sealed the win for Brazil.

Spain will now compete against Germany for the bronze medal in Lyon on Friday at 14:00.

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has set two conditions for joining Chelsea this summer.

Osimhen’s future with the former Serie A champions is uncertain, with no active talks ongoing despite his availability.

Chelsea aims to secure the Nigerian on a loan deal while sending Romelu Lukaku to Napoli on a permanent basis.

However, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano stated on YouTube today that Osimhen “is not considering a loan with an option to buy.” Additionally, Romano noted that the Super Eagles striker “will not reduce his salary” to facilitate a move to Chelsea.

Reports also indicate that Arsenal is monitoring Osimhen’s situation.

 The Zamfara Government on Tuesday denied budgeting N19 billion for Gov. Dauda Lawal’s kitchenware as it was wrongfully circulated on social media.

The State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Abdulmalik Gajam, at a media briefing on Tuesday in Gusau described the information as mischievous.

He said, “I would like to clarify that the information being circulated in this regard on social media is unverified.

“A government that reduced its spending to save for the better future of the state cannot budget N19billion for the governor’s kitchen and other canteen equipment.

“Zamfara Government under Lawal is running an open door policy, we welcome media and other stakeholders to verify and access information on any issues instead of spreading unverified information.

“As a transparent government, we accept any challenge from any media outfit that sincerely scrutinises our administration with good intentions.

“Also, the media outfits need to be responsible on information concerning images of government to be published.”

Gajam lamented that the information being circulated was capable of triggering the mind of Zamfara people to react to something that was mischievous.

He called on the media houses to always verify information and ensure dishing out only authentic information to the public.

Gajam highlighted that Lawal’s 2024 ‘Budget of Rescue’, was to ensure more revenue generation, less expenditure and transparency in releasing public funds.

He added that the present administration in the state since its inception ensured that all its expenditures were in the interest of the people of the state. 

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has set two conditions for joining Chelsea this summer.

Osimhen’s future with the former Serie A champions is uncertain, with no active talks ongoing despite his availability.

Chelsea aims to secure the Nigerian on a loan deal while sending Romelu Lukaku to Napoli on a permanent basis.

However, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano stated on YouTube today that Osimhen “is not considering a loan with an option to buy.” Additionally, Romano noted that the Super Eagles striker “will not reduce his salary” to facilitate a move to Chelsea.

Reports also indicate that Arsenal is monitoring Osimhen’s situation.

Samuel Ogazi advanced to the men’s 400m final at the 2024 Olympic Games on Tuesday night.

Ogazi secured third place in Heat 3 of the men’s semi-final, clocking a personal best time of 44.41 seconds.

Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith won the race with a time of 44.07 seconds, while Michael Norman finished second with a time of 44.26 seconds.

Ogazi is the first Nigerian athlete to qualify for the men’s 400m final in 36 years, with Innocent Egbunike being the last to do so.

Two years after a global outbreak, fears are growing over a new strain of mpox — formerly known as monkeypox — identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and several neighboring countries.

This deadlier and more transmissible strain, known as the Clade Ib subclade, has been spreading person-to-person in the DRC since September.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Sunday that it is considering convening an expert committee to decide whether to declare an international emergency, as it did during the global mpox outbreak in 2022.

Unlike other strains where lesions and rashes are usually limited to the mouth, face, and genitals, the Clade Ib strain causes skin rashes across the entire body.

The African Union health agency, Africa CDC, reported 14,479 confirmed and suspected cases of the strain and 455 deaths in the DRC as of August 3, with a mortality rate of around three percent.

Authorities in four neighboring countries, including Burundi, which has reported 127 cases, have also confirmed mpox cases, although the specific strain has not been identified.

The eight-member East African Community (EAC) has urged governments to educate their citizens on how to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the disease.