Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Edo Queens kicked off their debut campaign in the CAF Women’s Champions League with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Commercial Bank of Ethiopia on Sunday in Casablanca, Morocco, shortly after champions Mamelodi Sundowns were beaten. Emem Essien, Folashade Ijamilusi and Chukwuamaka Osigwe struck for the Nigerian representatives against the Ethiopians in a one-sided encounter. Edo Queens, who won the WAFU B title to qualify for the continental competition, got on the scoresheet early, with Essien netting in the fifth minute off an assist by Ijamilusi. The Nigerian side extended their lead 10 minutes after the break, with Ijamilusi, hat-trick heroine…
Manchester United signed off Ruud van Nistelrooy’s temporary stint in charge with a 3-0 win over Leicester on Sunday as Ipswich stunned Tottenham 2-1 for their first English Premier League victory in 22 years. Third-placed Nottingham Forest’s fine run came to an end in a 3-1 home defeat to Newcastle. Ruben Amorim will be in charge for the first time when United return from the international break. But Van Nistelrooy was able to hand over the reins with a four-game unbeaten run since stepping up to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag. Bruno Fernandes marked his 250th United appearance in…
Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was once again the hero for Galatasaray on Sunday as they defeated Samsunspor 3-2 in the Turkish Super Lig. The Nigeria international, on loan from Napoli, struck twice, once in each half, to lead the champions past the resilient visitors. Osimhen got the home crowd off their feet early in the contest, heading home in the third minute off Lucas Torreira’s cross. Samsunspor were back level early in the second half, Olivier Ntcham scoring a penalty five minutes after the restart. Osimhen put Galatasaray back in front five minutes after the equaliser with…
Arsenal have reportedly shown an interest in Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, who has been impressive for Atalanta this season. According to Transfersdotcom, the Gunners are monitoring the 27-year-old Nigeria international, who is one of the most admired players across Europe at the moment. Lookman, who scored a historic hat-trick for Atalanta in the 3-0 UEFA Europa League final triumph over Bayer Leverkusen in May, has more goal contributions – goals and assists – than any other Serie A player in all competitions this calendar year. This brilliant form has attracted the interest of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with…
Lionel Messi’s first trip to the MLS post-season ended abruptly on Saturday night/Sunday morning, as midfielder Bartosz Slisz headed in the game-winner for Atlanta United in a staggering, 3-2 upset over Inter Miami in Round One. Forward Jamal Thiare got Atlanta on the board in the 19th minute and struck again two minutes later, before Slisz put them over the top in the 76th minute to set up a meeting in the semi-final stage against Orlando City SC. Miami were overwhelming favourites to win it all after producing a league record 74 points in the regular season but could not…
Coco Gauff defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 in three hours on Saturday to the become the youngest player to win the WTA Finals since Maria Sharapova in 2004. She is also the first American to win the title since the great Serena Williams 10 years ago. The 20-year-old Gauff flew off to a 6-0 lead in the final set tiebreak for six championship points as she eased to victory. “It was a really great match. Qinwen played some unbelievable tennis,” third seed Gauff said. “I was just trying my best to hang in there and I never…
Pep Guardiola fell to a fourth successive defeat for the first time in his managerial career as Brighton came from behind to beat his Manchester City side 2-1 in the English Premier League on Saturday. It is the first time since 2006 that City have lost four in a row. The Premier League champions looked on course to end their disappointing sequence when Erling Haaland capped an impressive opening at Amex Stadium in the 23rd minute, scoring at the second attempt from Mateo Kovacic’s pass. Brighton, however, held their nerve, taking complete control after the break – and it was…
Barcelona have confirmed a new long-term sponsorship deal with kit partner Nike, believed to be worth €1.7 billion. The Spanish giants announced the deal on Saturday, with reports claiming it is for 14 years at €121 million per year. That would equal an increase of around €48m until 2028 which will then step up to €58-€60m from 2028 to 2038. “FC Barcelona and Nike, two leading brands in the sport industry, are pleased to announce a new start with a multi-year partnership agreement, starting effective this season, that brings a new collaborative strategic partnership model between the two organizations,” the…
By Nurudeen Obalola Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has agreed that his side must go for victory when they face Chelsea in the weekend’s headline English Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The two London clubs are tied on points, with Chelsea in fourth place ahead on goal difference, and Arteta is keen to reduce the seven-point gap between his side and leaders Liverpool. When asked during his pre-match press conference on Friday if Sunday’s clash is a must-win, Arteta replied: “Especially because we have missed certain points in the last few weeks. “The margins are becoming smaller and…
Jose Mourinho has received a one-match ban and fine of about £15,000 for his actions and comments at the end of Fenerbahce’s dramatic win over Trabzonspor. The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager sprinted on to the pitch and attempted a knee slide after Sofyan Amrabat’s stoppage-time goal earned his Fenerbahce team a 3-2 victory in an incident-packed encounter. However, he then launched into a angry post-match tirade that condemned refereeing standards in Turkey and appeared to question the impartiality of match officials. In a statement, the Turkish Football Federation said Mourinho’s comments were “contrary to sportsmanship, sports ethics or the concept of fair…