Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Arsenal have become the latest club to show an interest in Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, according to reports. The Nigeria international is expected to end his successful three-year spell at Atalanta at the end of this season, particularly following a mid-season row with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, which has led many clubs to closely monitor his situation. According to Sky Sports Germany, Arsenal have added the 27-year-old to their shortlist ahead of the upcoming transfer window. The UEFA Champions League semi-finalists reportedly see Lookman as a potentially valuable addition to a forward line they are aiming to…
Ghana and holders Senegal were both held to 1-1 draws by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic respectively in their opening matches at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt on Friday. The Black Satellites faced DR Congo in a Group C clash under the floodlights at the New Suez Stadium, after Senegal had battled CAR at the same venue. Four-time champions Ghana had to come from behind to earn a point after Samuel Ntanda’s header gave DR Congo a surprise 16th-minute lead. Ghana responded through Musibau Aziz eight minutes later but despite sustained pressure in…
Real Madrid have picked up another UEFA fine, this time for racist behaviour by their fans during their Champions League clash with Arsenal. The incident occurred during the clash in London at the Emirates Stadium early in April. As per MD, Los Blancos have picked up a €15,000 bill from the Committee of Control, Ethics and Discipline, for the ‘racist attitude’ of their fans. They have also imposed a suspended ban on away ticket sales, valid for the next year, meaning if they are found guilty of another offence, they could be banned from their next away trips in UEFA competitions.…
Chelsea will give Liverpool a guard of honour when they host the newly-crowned English Premier League champions on Sunday at Stamford Bridge, manager Enzo Maresca said. Liverpool sealed a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title last weekend when they took an unassailable 15-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with four games to spare. Although there is no rule or obligation for clubs to give the champions a guard of honour, Maresca said his players would line up to welcome Arne Slot’s side ahead of Sunday’s contest. “I think it’s a tradition, it’s something you have to do and we want to do.…
By Nurudeen Obalola Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea took significant steps towards reaching the finals of the UEFA Europa League and Conference League with big victories in their semi-final first leg fixtures on Thursday night. While United and Spurs are on the brink of an all-English Europa League final, Chelsea have one foot in the Conference League decider. Manchester United produced the biggest surprise of the night by beating Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in Spain, while Tottenham defeated Bodoe/Glimt 3-1 in London and Chelsea overcame Djugarden 4-1 in Sweden. Bruno Fernandes scored twice at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Flying Eagles kicked off their campaign at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations with a victory on Thursday, beating Tunisia 1-0 in Cairo, Egypt. Auwal Ibrahim scored the only goal of the tight contest to send the Flying Eagles to the top of the Group B standings. The seven-time champions laboured to get going and create chances in a largely scrappy match until Ibrahim struck before half-time. The Akwa United midfielder scored nine minutes before the break after bursting through a huge gap in the Tunisia defence to stroke the ball beyond the goalkeeper from inside…
The Nigeria National League (NNL) has again sanctioned erring clubs in the second tier, with Godswill Akpabio United FC of Uyo and Barau FC of Kano severely punished for assault and intimidation of match officials, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced on Thursday. Godswill Akpabio United were found guilty of assaulting match officials during their Matchday 15 encounter against Rovers FC of Calabar at the Uyo Township Stadium on 26th April. The match ended 2-2, but right from the end of first half, the home team’s officials and fans started to intimidate match officials, and a player, Austin Ajibawo, was cautioned…
LeBron James limped out of Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday, his left leg swollen from a knee-to-knee collision and his spirit sapped from Los Angeles Lakers’ 103-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves that ended his 22nd year in the NBA with a first-round play-off exit. As has been his custom the past several seasons when offering his thoughts on the future immediately following the Los Angeles Lakers’ final game, James said he was unsure. “I don’t know,” James said when asked how much longer he planned to play before retiring. “I don’t have an answer to that. Something I’ll sit down…
The Football Association will ban transgender women playing women’s football in England from next season. It follows a similar move by the Scottish FA this week after a UK Supreme Court ruling in April that a female is defined by biological sex. In Scotland, only players who were female at birth will be allowed to play in women’s football over the age of 13. A statement from the English FA said on Thursday: “As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating within the law and international football policy defined by…
Barcelona twice came from behind against Inter Milan to snatch a 3-3 draw in a six-goal first-leg thriller in Spain to leave their UEFA Champions League semi-final finely poised. Inter stunned the hosts after just 30 seconds when Marcus Thuram turned in Denzel Dumfries’ low cross with an audacious backheel flick to score the fastest goal in a last-four game in the competition’s history. Dutch full-back Dumfries doubled the visitors’ lead with a stunning overhead kick 20 minutes later and it looked like Barca had a mountain to climb. But Lamine Yamal turned on the magic to transform the…