AFR Business

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Star striker Viktor Gyokeres helped to lead Sporting Lisbon to its second consecutive Portuguese league title after Benfica was held off on the final day of the season on Saturday.

Gyokeres and Pedro Goncalves delivered goals in a 2-0 home win over Vitoria SC to ensure the title stayed with the green and black of Sporting and leave its crosstown rival as runner-up.

Benfica drew at 10-man Braga 1-1. That left Sporting with 82 points and Benfica with 80 after 34 rounds.

Goncalves opened for Sporting in the 53rd and Gyokeres sealed the win in the 82nd when he controlled a loose high ball in the box and dribbled around a defender and the goalkeeper before slotting inside the post. The Sweden striker yanked his shirt over his head and flexed his muscles while shouting out as the home fans celebrated.

His goal took his massive tally to 39 goals in 33 league appearances, to go with another six goals in the Champions League. He is in the running for the European Golden Boot award for top domestic league scorer.

That tally improved on last season’s 29 league goals to lead Sporting to the 2024 title. He is considered one the hottest prospects in European soccer for a big money move this offseason. Arsenal has been reported in Portugal to be a front-runner for him.

“It was our goal all season and to finish it off on the last day is incredible,” Gyokeres said, while adding about his future that “you never know what is going to happen.”

It was Sporting’s 21st league title.

Sporting and Benfica arrived to the final round level on points but with the defending champion owning the head-to-head tiebreaker. Sporting needed only to match Benfica’s result, while Benfica needed Sporting to stumble and then to better its result.

The title race went to the last day after Sporting and Benfica drew 1-1 in a derby last weekend when both had a chance to clinch the title.

Sporting’s and Benfica’s games on Saturday were played simultaneously.

Benfica fell behind early at Braga when Rodrigo Zalazar converted a penalty in the 23rd. Vangelis Pavlidis leveled for Benfica in the 63rd after substitute Angel Di Maria set him up shortly after going on.

Braga was reduced to 10 men three minutes later when midfielder João Moutinho got a second yellow card, but Benfica couldn’t get a winner.

The league ended a day before Portugal holds national elections.

Sporting and Benfica will meet again in the Portuguese Cup final next weekend. That could be Gyokeres’ last game for Sporting with bigger European clubs eager to get his goals.

“We want to win that game but right now we want to celebrate right,” Gyokeres said about the cup final.

FC Cincinnati have signed midfielder Obinna Nwobodo to a contract extension through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028, the club announced today. The deal keeps Nwobodo with the Orange and Blue, where he has been a mainstay in FC Cincinnati’s midfield since joining the club in 2022.

Nwobodo, 28, has made 117 appearances with FC Cincinnati since joining the club in April 2022 from Turkish Süper Lig side Göztepe SK. 109 of his 117 appearances have been starts, and since debuting for the club on April 30, 2022 at Toronto FC, Nwobodo’s 91 MLS Regular Season appearances are the fourth-most of any FC Cincinnati player.

“Since arriving three years ago, Obi has been a fundamental part of our success,” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. “He’s relentless in how he approaches the game, on and off the field, and he’s an exceptional teammate and leader for our group. We’re delighted to have Obi and his family stay in Cincinnati.”

Nwobodo has made more appearances for FC Cincinnati than any other club in his professional career, which dates back to his professional debut with Nigeria’s Rangers FC in 2015.

The Nigerian midfielder has scored two goals and added 11 assists in all competitions with FC Cincinnati. Both of his goals served as game winners, with his July 12, 2023 goal at 90’+3 at New York Red Bulls remaining as the third-latest game-winning goal in the club’s MLS history.

In 2023, Nwobodo led MLS in tackles with 62, four more than any player across the league.

TRANSACTION: On May 15, 2025, FC Cincinnati sign midfielder Obinna Nwobodo to a contract extension through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028.

The family of Asoluka in Ihiagwa, Owerri-West LGA of Imo State, has announced the death of Dr Chris Asoluka fondly called Okwuruoha.

His son, Jamachi Chris-Asoluka, announced this in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday.

Jamachi said: “With deep sorrow, but grateful hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, in-law, friend, and patriarch, Dr. Chris Asoluka (Okwuruoha).

“Surrounded by love and held in grace, daddy transitioned from this world just before midnight on Friday May 9th 2025 with the calm dignity that defined his life. A man of unwavering principles, strength, generosity, rare intellect, and profound wisdom, he lived a life rooted in service, compassion, and an unshakable commitment to family, community, and country.

“Though our hearts sag heavy, we take comfort in the fullness of his legacy — the values he instilled, the lives he touched, and the unmatched example he set. He was our anchor, our counsellor, our lifetime inspiration. His earthly absence is profound, but his spirit remains — in every lesson, every memory, every story told, and every life shaped by his presence.

“We are thankful for the glorious gift of his life and for the grace with which he completed his earthly journey. As we begin this season of remembrance, thanksgiving, and celebration, we ask for your prayers, support, and love as we honour a man who meant so much to so many.”

Jamachi also disclosed that the service of songs and night of tributes will be held for the late Asoluka in Lagos on July 17 to herald other funeral activities lined up until his obsequies on July 24 at Ihiagwa, Imo State.

The late Dr Asoluka was a polymath with two Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Law (Universities of Ibadan and London), multiple Masters degrees in International Economic Relations (University of Lagos), Shipping Economics/Finance and International Trade (CASS Business School) and a Ph.D. degree in Policy Analysis (University of Ibadan).

He was a respected management, development, and legislative strategy consultant (FIMC), who has played very important roles in various sectors of the Nigerian economy and politics.

He was the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nipal Consulting Network, a multidisciplinary firm, which has successfully handled significant assignments for clients, including Federal and State Governments/Agencies, National Assemblies/States’ legislative Assemblies and multilateral/non-governmental institutions within and outside Nigeria, among numerous other feats.

In the 1980s, a photograph was taken during the traditional wedding ceremony of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Oluremi Tinubu. The event marked the beginning of their marital journey, a union that would eventually become part of Nigeria’s political history.

The couple had three children together: Zainab Abisola Tinubu, Habibat Tinubu, and Olayinka Tinubu.

Before this marriage, Bola Tinubu had three children from earlier relationships: Kazeem Olajide Tinubu, born on 12 October 1974; Folashade Tinubu, born on 17 June 1976; and Oluwaseyi Tinubu, born on 13 October 1985.

On 31 October 2017, Kazeem Olajide Tinubu, also known as Jide Tinubu, died in London.

The argument that governments should not be involved in governance conflates evolutionary biology with economic and political responsibility.

Evolution through randomness and natural selection explains biodiversity, not human governance.

The fact that species evolve by chance doesn’t mean societies must operate without intentional structure, planning, or compassion.

In fact, the entire concept of civilization is built on rising above the randomness of nature — through cooperation, shared resources, and ethical progress.

As for the $300 trillion example: it’s a false dichotomy.
The issue is not a one-time redistribution but the systems that keep wealth concentrated and opportunities unequal.

No one is suggesting that everyone receive a $37,500 check and call it a day.
The point is to invest in systems — healthcare, education, housing, and equitable markets — that give people a fair shot sustainably.

Even if that money “runs out” in 2 years, those years could include education, healthcare, and business support that could lift millions out of generational poverty.

And it’s worth noting that trillions are hoarded or lost to tax evasion, inefficiency, and unproductive speculation by the top 1%.

We don’t lack resources — we lack systems of fair distribution.

Regarding Scandinavia: yes, they don’t invest in military at U.S. levels — because their model is built on diplomacy, social cohesion, and economic resilience.

It’s not that they’re freeloading; they’re choosing different national priorities.

The U.S. spends over $800 billion annually on defense — more than the next 10 countries combined — yet millions remain uninsured, homeless, and under-educated. That’s not leadership, it’s misalignment.

A government doesn’t need to solve every problem to address the most pressing ones.

Public healthcare isn’t utopian — it’s standard in Canada, the UK, and across Europe.

Functional safety nets and smart investments in people don’t distract from governance — they define it.

A more balanced view acknowledges that governments do have core responsibilities — but those responsibilities evolve with time.

The modern role of government includes not just security and infrastructure, but the well-being of its people.

That’s not “mission creep” — that’s progress.
• South Korea and Finland invested heavily in public education post-war and became innovation powerhouses.
• Germany runs a universal healthcare system and still maintains one of the strongest economies and militaries in the world.

• The U.S. spends ~17% of its GDP on healthcare — more than any other country — yet ranks below 30* in health outcomes like infant mortality and life expectancy.

• The Nordic countries invest in people and rank consistently high in quality of life, innovation, happiness, and economic competitiveness.

Governments can — and must — walk and chew gum. Security matters. So does compassion.

The best governments balance strength with humanity. That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.