Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Mikel Arteta believes Chelsea will give his Arsenal side a tough time on Sunday and avoid a result similar to last season’s 5-0 thrashing at the Emirates Stadium. The Blues were mid-table at the time, but it was their only defeat in the last 15 Premier League games of the season. Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta said: “I think it’s going to be a very different game. I think the way they develop as a team as well is very impressive, what they’ve done on the coaching staff, the amount of talent that they have in…
Flamingos of Nigeria head coach Bankole Olowookere has told his team not to leave any room for complacency as they host South Africa in a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday. Olowookere’s side won the first leg of the tie 3-1 in Pretoria last Saturday and will advance to the final qualifying round if they avoid home defeat. “We are very much aware of the fact that it is never over until it is over. It will be foolish to assume otherwise,” Olowookere said on Friday, according to the Nigeria Football Federation media department. “Yes,…
English Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City are keeping a close eye on Super Eagles defender Ola Aina, according to reports. Aina has helped Nottingham Forest to third in the Premier League – starting all 28 games as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side aim to bring UEFA Champions League football to the City Ground. In his 28 appearances, the Nigeria international has scored two goals and provided one assist. Now TBR Football is claiming that Aina could replace either Kyle Walker or Trent Alexander-Arnold, if the latter departs Anfield for Real Madrid. The outlet reported on Friday that Forest are…
Aston Villa forward Marcus Rashford has been named in Thomas Tuchel’s first squad as England manager. Rashford last played for England in a friendly against Brazil in March 2024 but has impressed since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United in January. Newcastle defender Dan Burn and Arsenal’s teenage defender Myles Lewis-Skelly are in line for debuts after receiving their first call up. England start their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup with a double-header at Wembley against Albania and Latvia next Friday and three days later respectively. Rashford is yet to score at Villa but has chipped…
By Korede James Super Eagles of Nigeria stars Cyriel Dessers and Leon Balogun were in action for Rangers as the Scottish side secured a 3-2 penalty shootout win over Fenerbahce in the second leg of their round of 16 UEFA Europa League tie at Ibrox on Thursday night. Nigeria right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel was in Fenerbahce’s starting line-up after missing the first leg due to suspension. Fenerbahce went into the contest trailing 3-1 from the first leg in Turkey, but a brace from Sebastian Szymanski sealed a 2-0 win for Jose Mourinho’s side, which ended the fixture at 3-3 on aggregate,…
By Korede James Moses Simon is a major doubt for the Super Eagles ahead of this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers due to a persistent ankle injury. The Super Eagles will hope to get their qualifying campaign back on track when they face Group C leaders Rwanda and bottom side Zimbabwe on March 21 and March 25 respectively. One of the players the Super Eagles coaching crew would be banking on is Simon. The Nantes winger was included in new head coach Eric Chelle’s 23-man squad for the two crucial encounters. But according to Nantes coach, Antoine Kombouaré, Simon’s…
UEFA has backed up the decision to disallow Julian Alvarez’s penalty against Real Madrid but suggested the law could be changed in future. Reigning European champions Real booked their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, after beating neighbours Atletico Madrid in a highly contentious penalty shootout. After the first three penalties had been converted, the hugely controversial turning point occurred. Alvarez believed he had levelled the scoring, finding the roof of the net despite slipping. However, unbeknownst to the majority of the Wanda Metropolitano crowd, the decision was being checked by VAR, with the effort disallowed…
By Korede James Warriors of Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees has announced his 23-man squad for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin Republic and the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Nees’ squad for the two encounters was released by the Zimbabwe Football Federation on Wednesday. Among those who made the list are Udinese defender Jordan Zemura, midfielder Marshall Munetsi, who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers, and goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva of Brentford. Also on the list are Luton Town’s Marvelous Nakamba, Andy Rinomhota of Cardiff City, Motherwell’s Tawanda Maswanhise and Tawanda Chirewa of Huddersfield Town. Zimbabwe will host Benin Republic in…
By Korede James Gent defender Jordan Torunarigha has been called up to replace the injured Nathan Tella for the Super Eagles’ 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The Super Eagles visit Rwanda next Friday and host Zimbabwe four days later in Uyo as the three-time African champions seek to get their qualifying campaign back on track. “Camp Update: Joshua Torunarigha has been called up to replace injured Nathan Tella. We wish Nathan quick recovery,” the Super Eagles announced on social media on Thursday. Both Tella and Torunarigha were included in the 39-man provisional squad before the…
By Korede James Real Madrid continued their dominance over Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night as the holders eliminated their city rivals via a penalty shootout in the round of 16. Atletico won the second leg 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano, which ended the fixture 2-2 on aggregate and took it to penalties, with Real Madrid winning 4-2. There was something controversy during the shootout as Atletico’s Julian Alvarez initially converted his spot kick, but VAR checks showed he touched the ball twice while slipping, and the goal was chalked off. Real Madrid have now eliminated…