Category: Sports

[Johannesburg, 28 August 2025] Former Liverpool striker David Ngog believes Alexander Isak would be a great addition to Liverpool’s attack.

Ngog, who made 94 appearances for Liverpool and famously scored a winning goal against Manchester United, shared his insights in an exclusive interview with Showmax Premier League.

“I would love to see Isak at Liverpool,” said Ngog.

“I think it could be a good match. He has good movement and technique; a real complete striker. I believe Liverpool is a bit short on the bench offensively, so it could be a good signing.”

“The only factor is that he plays in the same position as Hugo Ekitiké, who is doing well so far. However, Liverpool can use both as the season is long.”

Ngog was speaking to Showmax Premier League ahead of this Sunday’s mega clash between Liverpool and Arsenal, which will be shown live on Showmax Premier League on Sunday, August 31, at 17:30.

Looking ahead to the upcoming game, Ngog shared his thoughts on the highly anticipated match-up.

“For sure, they will be tested against Arsenal. Arsenal is one of the top teams in Europe at the moment and is very ambitious. They have won their first two games as well and have built a team to win the Premier League.”

Despite Arsenal’s strong start, Ngog believes Liverpool has a slight edge.

“I think that Liverpool, playing at home, has a slight advantage. Also, they won the Premier League last season, so they can build on that. Arsenal still has everything to prove, so it will be a very interesting game.”

His prediction for this weekend’s thriller?

“My score prediction will be 2-1 to Liverpool. I am not being partial, but I believe Liverpool can win.”

Reflecting on Liverpool’s start to the season under new manager Arne Slot, Ngog expressed his admiration.

“I think the start of the season is good, considering the expectations people had from last year.”

“It’s never easy to follow up a successful season. They have shown mental strength in critical situations.”

“Arne Slot impresses me, as it’s not easy to come and succeed after Jurgen Klopp’s reign. But he came with humility and hard work. I’m happy it’s working well for him and Liverpool FC.”

When asked about Liverpool’s title-winning potential, Ngog remained cautious.

“I think they are title contenders. When you look at Arsenal, Manchester City, and maybe Chelsea, it will be a close race. The Premier League is a long way to go, so I believe it’s too early to say.”

Ngog also reflected on his time at Liverpool and what it was like to face Arsenal in the past.

“It was a fantastic feeling; the jersey, the fans, and the stadium were amazing.”

“The pressure was always on. No matter who you play, you have to win and perform, especially against a big team like Arsenal.”

“I always liked playing against Arsenal because the game is open. They don’t keep 11 players in the back; they try to play offensively and enjoy the game, so it was nice.”

Finally, Ngog offered his opinion on Hugo Ekitiké, a current French talent.

“Ekitiké is a great talent from France. He showed his talent at Reims, had a slightly more difficult time in Paris, but was still okay, and then in the Bundesliga, he made a huge impact.”

“I think he is doing well for Liverpool – a lot of mobility, good with the ball, and a good finisher. He can improve his physicality, but that will come.”

How can fans get Showmax Premier League on their phones? 

Sign up for the Showmax Premier League mobile plan for R99 p/m at www.showmax.com for all the Premier League action and more.

• South African, Sibusiso Kubheka triumphantly broke the 6-hour 100km barrier, in an astonishing 5:59:20
• ‘Chasing 100′ explored what’s possible when the fastest endurance athletes are combined with the latest adidas innovations, including the Adizero Evo Prime X shoe
• The five competing athletes wore specially designed adidas footwear and apparel, precision engineered and custom tailored to each athlete to enable more speed

South Africa, Tuesday 26^th August 2025: Today, Sibusiso Kubheka became the first person to complete a 100km run in under six hours, in a unique running event powered by adidas, exploring what’s possible when the fastest athletes on the planet are combined with the latest speed-focused innovations.

Taking place at the iconic Nardò Ring in Southern Italy and with the competing athletes wearing precision-engineered adidas footwear and state-of-the-art apparel designed to enable more speed, Kubheka shaved an astonishing 6 minutes and 15 seconds off the previous fastest time of 06:05:35 – etching his name in the history books.

Alasdhair Willis, Chief Creative Officer at adidas, said: “Chasing 100 is the story of our deep-rooted drive to go faster. An opportunity to see what’s possible when we work at speed, break new boundaries in design, and test new possibilities in footwear and apparel. Kubheka’s history-defining performance – achieving something no one has ever come close to – is an immense achievement that we are incredibly proud of. This is true testament to the power of combining adidas Innovation with the very best of athletic prowess to push the limits of human capability forwards.”

Built for and alongside each of the five athletes taking part – previous 100km world record holder Aleksandr Sorokin (Lithuania), Jo Fukuda (Japan), Charlie Lawrence (USA), Ketema Negasa (Ethiopia), and Sibusiso Kubheka (South Africa) – adidas developed bespoke head-to-toe footwear and apparel with the latest in speed and cooling innovation, including:

• Adizero Evo Prime X – Tailored individually to each runner, the Adizero Evo Prime X has been precision-engineered for one purpose: speed. Every element – from the ultra-responsive midsole to the precision-fit upper – is designed to help maximise running economy and unlock personal bests. Born from relentless testing, feedback and refinement between athletes and product experts, each pair was tailored to its runner. The stack height is calibrated to the forces each athlete generates, providing optimal responsive cushioning, while the stiffening structure is composed of materials tuned to individual biomechanics.
• Ultracharge – An innovation many years in the making, the athletes’ race day shoes benefitted from adidas’ brand new Ultracharge technology. Entering the high-pressure vessel five days prior to the race, air bubbles are pumped into the empty gaps of the shoes’ midsole foam. As the pressure increases there is an improvement in the energy return of the shoes.
• CLIMACOOL Pre-Cooling & Per-Cooling System – Before the race, athletes used a combination of cooling and insulating technology to enhance thermal regulation. Combining a cooling vest and a CLIMACOOL insulating fan jacket – as worn by the AMG Formula 1 team – this minimized athletes’ core temperature and heart rate in the first hour of performance, supporting overall endurance. During the race, each athlete had their own set of cooling necks, swapped out and refreshed. Created by adidas specifically for this attempt, the cooling neck is ergonomically moulded to the main arteries and veins for maximum cooling.
• Clima 3D singlet – The Clima 3D singlet features a newly developed CLIMACOOL 3D embossed material technology, body-mapped to areas with the highest skin contact and sweat production for improved airflow, accelerated sweat evaporation and enhanced cooling. The new CLIMACOOL 3D technology will be available in 2026.
• TechFit short tight – Complementing the Clima 3D singlet, the TechFit short tights feature stiffening bands strategically placed for each athlete’s body composition which stabilizes the hips to support running economy and endurance performance under fatigue. The new TechFit technology will be available in 2026.

Speaking of the history-making performance, new 100km record breaker Sibusiso Kubheka said: “I’m so proud of my performance out there today. Breaking this record and becoming the first person to run 100km in under 6 hours was not easy – but thanks to adidas’ partnership, belief and bespoke technologies, we made it happen. When we combine the best athletes, the right preparation and sports Innovation, anything is possible.”

Meanwhile, Charlie Lawrence and Aleksandr Sorokin both beat the current fastest time (held by Sorokin himself). The results were:

1. Sibusiso Kubheka, 5:59:20
2. Charlie Lawrence, 6:03:47  
3. Aleksandr Sorokin, 6:04:10

This remarkable set of athlete performances are part of Chasing, a new adidas intention to push the limits of human performance through bold challenges, breakthrough technology and athlete-led innovation.

Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 June 2025 – TCL, a leading global consumer electronics brand and the No.2 TV brand worldwide, proudly announces the elevation of its partnership with Arsenal Football Club to a global level, becoming Arsenal’s Official Global Consumer Electronics Partner.

This milestone marks a new era in the relationship between two iconic brands driven by shared values of innovation, excellence, and progress. Building on a successful regional partnership in the UK, Middle East, and Africa since 2023, TCL and Arsenal are now taking their collaboration global, connecting with fans and consumers in more markets through shared values of innovation, performance, and progress.

Sunny Yang, General Manager – TCL Middle East & Africa, stated: “We are proud to elevate our partnership with Arsenal to a global level, marking a significant milestone for TCL. This expanded alliance reflects our shared ambition to lead through excellence, innovation, and passion. As a brand committed to shaping the future of smart living, we aim to deliver immersive experiences that unite the power of technology with the spirit of sport. Together, we are building a legacy that will inspire greatness around the world.”

Delivering High-Impact Moments on and off the Pitch:
Since the beginning of the partnership in 2023, TCL and Arsenal have collaborated on a series of high-profile activations that brought fans closer to both the club and the brand:

• The ‘Go Big with TCL’ digital campaign, featuring Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Mo Elneny, introduced TCL’s XL TV collection to global audiences.
• ‘Inspire Greatness’, a regional hero film starring Mikel Merino, Declan Rice, and Ben White, showcased TCL and Arsenal’s shared commitment to empowering communities through sport and innovation.
• Exclusive meet-and-greet experiences in Dubai gave fans and TCL customers direct access to Arsenal players during the club’s warm weather training camp.
• Arsenal legend Robert Pires visited TCL’s booth at IFA Berlin 2023, one of the world’s most influential consumer tech shows.
• And in Turkey, Invincibles defender Martin Keown headlined TCL’s regional product launch, engaging with media, partners, and staff in celebration of the partnership.

Looking Ahead: Deeper Storytelling and Expanded Fan Engagement

Following the success of the ‘Inspire Greatness’ activation, supporters can expect a new wave of storytelling through the extended global partnership featuring Arsenal men’s first team player and newly appointed TCL ambassador, Bukayo Saka. The expanded partnership also includes Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League-winning women’s team, reinforcing TCL’s commitment to equality and innovation across all areas of the game.
In addition, TCL products will be integrated into Arsenal’s flagship matchday show “Live from N5”, further engaging the club’s global fanbase and bringing smart technology closer to the heart of the matchday experience.

This global announcement is a testament to TCL’s fast-growing presence across MEA and beyond, as the brand continues to innovate in consumer electronics while strengthening emotional connections with sports fans worldwide.

TCL will continue to work with Arsenal to craft powerful stories, create unique fan interactions, and deliver unforgettable experiences across touchpoints on the field, on screen, and at home.