Author: Nurudeen Obalola

By Korede James Victor Boniface scored again as Bayer Leverkusen came from 2-0 down to beat Koln 3-2 after extra-time and qualify for the semi-finals of the DFB-POKAL on Wednesday nighy. <lThe Super Eagles striker has now scored in back-to-back games for Leverkusen after netting in his side’s 3-1 win against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday. Boniface, who came on in the 76th minute, scored Leverkusen’s third goal eight minutes into extra-time to complete the comeback. Damion Downs gave Koln the lead in first-half added time before Linton Maina made it 2-0 nine minutes into the second period. Patrik…

By Korede James Newcastle United defeated Arsenal 2-0 in the second leg of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night at St. James’ Park to advance to the final. The Magpies went through 4-0 on aggregate after securing a 2-0 win in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium in January. Goals from Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon sent Newcastle to their second final since their defeat to Manchester United in 2023. The Gunners were hoping to be inspired by their 5-1 victory performance over Manchester City heading into Wednesday’s Cup tie. But it was Newcastle who looked more threatening when…

The January 2025 transfer window across Europe closed on Monday with players joining clubs either on permanent moves or on loan. Nigerian players were not left out in the moves as they also completed transfers. Sportingtimes.ng’s KOREDE JAMES profiles 10 Nigerian players who changed clubs this January… KELECHI IHEANACHO (Sevilla to Middlesbrough) Kelechi Iheanacho joined English Championship club Middlesbrough on loan from Sevilla on transfer deadline day Monday. The Super Eagles forward agreed to join the second-tier club with the option to make the transfer permanent in the summer. The 28-year-old endured a difficult spell in Spain since joining Sevilla…

By Korede James Former Southampton and Portugal defender Jose Fonte has said Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will be a handful for English Premier League defenders. Osimhen is on a season-long loan at Turkish club Galatasaray from Napoli, the 2023 CAF Player of the Year registering 17 goals and five assists in 22 appearances in all competitions. The 26-year-old Nigeria international was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League with Chelsea reportedly named as one of the clubs interested in him. Fonte slammed Chelsea over their failure to land the player he believes is the next Didier Drogba…

Marcus Jordan, son of American basketball legend Michael Jordan, has been arrested for a series of alleged crimes including drug possession and resisting arrest. The entrepreneur was incarcerated in Orlando, Florida, on Monday, appearing less than pleased when asked to pose for a mugshot. He was detained at Orange County Jail in the Sunshine State following his arrest for purportedly driving under the influence, possessing cocaine, and resisting arrest. Marcus, a former college basketball player for the UCF Knights men’s basketball team, followed in the footsteps of his renowned father, Michael Jordan. Marcus, 34, is the second child of the…

By Korede James Former Italy and Real Madrid forward Antonio Cassano has criticised Napoli’s decision to sign AC Milan’s Noah Okafor on loan as a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, instead of Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman. Kvaratskhelia left Napoli for Paris Saint-Germain early in the January transfer window and the Italian side were linked with several attacking options, including Lookman and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho but ended up signing Okafor. Speaking to Viva El Futbol via IlNapoli, Cassano said: “I agree with what Conte said: either someone arrives who makes the difference, or it’s better to stay as it is.…

By Korede James Plateau United have announced the signing of four new players. The club confirmed the signingd on Tuesday, listing the new players as Ekene Olisema Nero from Sporting Lagos, Mojereola Sulaimon from El-kanemi Warriors, Abdulmutallif Sanusi from Katsina United and Dabo Joshua from Yobe Desert Stars. Plateau United have managed just one win in their last five NPFL fixtures, recording three draws and one defeat. The Jos-based club are currently 16th in the league table. On Monday, the club handed Technical Adviser Mbwas Mangut a three-game ultimatum. According to the club the decision was due to the team’s…

There have been 13 video assistant referee (VAR) mistakes in the EPL Premier League so far this season – down from 20 at the same point last term – say league bosses. Four incorrect VAR interventions and nine missed interventions from the first 23 rounds of games have been found by the competition’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel. There have been 70 VAR interventions in 239 league games this season – around one every three matches. The league says the accuracy of ‘Key Match Incidents’ is at 96.4% – up from 95.7% at the corresponding point last term. “Nobody here…

Kultida Woods, mother of Tiger Woods, passed away on Tuesday. Tiger announced the news via his social media accounts. No cause of death was given. “It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning,” Woods wrote in a statement. “My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable. She was quick with the needle and a laugh. “She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible. She was loved by so many, but…

By Korede James English Championship club Blackburn Rovers have announced the signing of Nigerian striker Emmanuel Dennis on loan from Nottingham Forest. Rovers announced the signing in a statement on their website on transfer deadline Monday night. Dennis, 27, was the third signing on Monday, following the arrivals of Yuri Ribeiro from Braga and Cauley Woodrow from Luton Town. “A prolific goalscorer, Dennis started his senior career with Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk, netting the opener in a 3-0 win on his debut in July 2016,” Rovers stated. “He gained Europa League experience in games against Feyenoord, Fenerbahce and Manchester United,…