Author: Nurudeen Obalola

Galatasaray vice-president Ibrahim Hatipoğlu insists Victor Osimhen won’t leave the club in January, while reports in Italy suggest Juventus are interested in the Napoli loanee. Osimhen has joined Galatasaray on a dry loan deal until the end of the season and has provided two assists in two league games, including one against José Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on Saturday. Galatasaray will pay Osimhen €6m during the 2024/2025 campaign, and the player’s release clause at Napoli has been lowered to €75m from €130m. The Nigeria international signed a one-year contract extension with the Partenopei before joining Galatasaray earlier this month. His convincing start to the season at Galatasaray…

By Kayode John Former Super Eagles defender, Efetobore Sodje, has explained why he feels Victor Boniface has not been prolific with the national team. While Boniface has thrived at Bayer Leverkusen since joining them in 2023 and has already scored three goals in four matches this season, the 23-year-old has only one goal in eight Nigeria appearances. Sodje, who won 12 caps for the Super Eagles and represented the country at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, said the way the national team is set up could be hindering Boniface. “The guy is a good player, all the Nigerian…

Manchester City are expecting to be without star midfielder Rodri for the rest of the season. The 28-year-old limped off during City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, after going down holding his right knee. ESPN and Marca reported that tests  revealed an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear for the Spain midfielder, which would rule him out for around eight months. Rodri’s loss would be a huge blow to City’s hopes of winning a fifth consecutive league title and ambitions of reclaiming the Champions League. The former Atletico Madrid player has been touted as a potential…

Anthony Joshua insists his career is “far from over” following his devastating knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley, which raised doubts about his future in boxing. Joshua was aiming to become a three-time world champion by claiming the International Boxing Federation world heavyweight title on Saturday but was knocked out in the fifth round in front of a record-breaking official attendance of more than 98,000. The 34-year-old Nigerian-Briton was floored four times by Dubois and many people called for Joshua to retire afterwards. But the British former Olympic champion released a video on X on Monday saying his journey…

By Kayode John Enyimba head coach Yemi Olanrewaju has admitted his side were lucky to secure a ticket to the group phase of the CAF Confederation Cup. Enyimba defeated Etoile Filante 3-2 on penalties at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Sunday, after neither side could break the deadlock in two legs. The first leg in Mali also ended 0-0 and goalkeeper Nathaniel Asibe was Enyimba’s hero during the shoot-out as he won the man-of-the-match award for his effort. Olanrewaju said his team must improve going into the next stage of the competition. “It was an unfortunate thing when…

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva was photographed making a hand gesture taunting Arsenal’s lack of trophies under Mikel Arteta, during an explosive draw at the Etihad on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side needed a 98th-minute equaliser from substitute John Stones to salvage a point against their title rivals in a match that is being hailed as a Premier League classic. The hosts took the lead inside the first 10 minutes through Erling Haaland’s 10th Premier League goal of the season, before Arsenal came from behind to lead after goals from defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel. However, the game was turned on its head when Leandro Trossard was sent off in first-half stoppage time.…

By Kayode John Remo Stars made it three wins in three matches in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as they defeated Kano Pillars 2-0 away on Sunday in their matchday 3 clash. Super Eagles defender, Sodiq Ismail, put Remo Stars in front in the 26th minute at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina, and Franck Mawuena doubled their lead on the hour mark as they held on for another three points on the road. Daniel Ogunmodede’s side have also kept three consecutive clean sheets so far this campaign after defeating Abia Warriors 2-0 away and beating 1-0 Sunshine Stars…

Enugu Rangers have been dumped out of the CAF Champions League by Angola’s Sagrada Esperanca in the second preliminary round. In the CAF Confederations Cup, Enyimba  progressed to the group stages by beating  Etoile Filante 3-2 on penalties at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Rangers lost the reverse leg 3-1 in Angola on Sunday, and crashed out 3-2 on aggregate. The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side paid the price for being prodigal in their home leg of the fixture, in which they failed to take their chances. The NPFL champions were down 2-1 at half-time but the…

By Kayode John Victor Boniface earned Bayer Leverkusen the three points on Sunday, scoring a late winner as they defeated Wolfsburg 4-3 in their Bundesliga clash. The champions were heading for a draw when the Super Eagles striker netted a dramatic 93rd-minute winner to complete the turnaround from 3-2 down and take Leverkusen to second place in the table. Boniface has now scored three goals and made one assist in four Bundesliga appearances this term. Meanwhile, in England, Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi was an unused substitute for the second consecutive game on Sunday as Nottingham Forest and Brighton played…

John Stones scored a very late equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw for Manchester City against Arsenal in their English Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The 10-man Gunners were on the brink of securing a famous victory over the defending champions and defended valiantly throughout the second half. But Stones had the last laugh to preserve City’s unbeaten record this season. The England centre-back poked the ball home from close range in a packed Arsenal box to finally beat David Raya. The Arsenal goalkeeper had stood between City and an equaliser until that equaliser in the…