Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Korede James Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Rivers United failed to close the gap on Remo Stars as both teams were unable to secure victories on Sunday in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). While 3SC were forced to a 1-1 draw away to Plateau United, Finidi George’s Rivers United suffered a 2-0 loss at Heartland. 3SC went into the fixture having won their last six matches and were on the verge of making it seven consecutive wins after Tijani Kabiru put them 1-0 up on 74 minutes. But just two minutes later Albert Hilary equalised for Plateau…
By Nurudeen Obalola Marcus Rashford has ended his saga at Manchester United by completing a loan move to fellow English club Aston Villa. The England forward has been out of favour at his boyhood club after falling out with head coach Ruben Amorim, and last played for United in mid-December, missing 12 matches. “Aston Villa is delighted to announce the loan signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United,” the Birmingham-based club announced on Sunday night. “The England international, capped 60 times by the Three Lions, joins Villa on a deal until the end of the season. “Rashford has scored 138…
By Korede James Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface marked his return from a thigh injury with a goal as Bayer Leverkusen defeated Hoffenheim 3-1 in the Bundesliga on Sunday. Also on target in the match was Nigerian striker Gift Orban, who has now scored in back-to-back Bundesliga matches for Hoffenheim. Super Eagles forward Nathan Tella also featured for Xabi Alonso’s side but came off in the 42nd minute. Boniface was on the verge of leaving the Bundesliga champions for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in the January transfer window but the deal fell through. He put that behind him as he…
By Korede James Arsenal secured a dominant 5-1 win against Manchester City in Sunday’s English Premier League clash at the Emirates to keep leaders Liverpool with sight. Goals from captain Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Kai Havertz and youngsters Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri wrapped up a dominant display from Mikel Arteta’s men against the champions. The Gunners have now gone unbeaten in back-to-back meetings in the Premier League against City, and are six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Odegaard gave Arsenal the lead just two minutes into the match following a mistake by Manuel Akanji. Havertz…
Manchester United’s woeful home form this season continued on Sunday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat by Crystal Palace in the English Premier League on Sunday. The Red Devils have now lost seven of their first 13 home matches of the league season, for the first time since 1893-1894, over 130 years ago. Also, since the beginning of last season only Wolves (16) have lost more Premier League home games than Manchester United’s 13, according to Opta statistics. Despite United chasing a fourth successive win in all competitions, Palace were much the better side in the first half at…
By Korede James Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo has been voted the best player in Southampton’s 2-1 win against Ipswich Town in the English Premier League on Saturday, according to an official poll on the league’s website. The 28-year-old Nigeria international put Southampton 1-0 ahead in the 21st minute of the clash, taking his tally in the league this season to three. His Nigerian teammate Paul Onuachu scored the winning goal in the 87th minute. After votes by fans, the Premier League announced Aribo as the Man of the Match after he polled 36.8 percent to finish ahead of nine…
By Nurudeen Obalola Nigerian striker Chuba Akpom has completed his loan switch from Ajax Amsterdam to Lille, the French club have confirmed. “A new offensive asset joins the Dogues squad! The versatile striker, Chuba Akpom (29 years old), signed today with LOSC on loan (with option to buy) until the end of the 2024-2025 season. He arrives from Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands),” the former club of Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama stated on Sunday. Born in London to Nigerian parents 29 years ago, Akpom began his football career at the Arsenal Academy at the age of six, signing his first professional…
By Nurudeen Obalola Manchester United have sealed the signing of Patrick Dorgu from Serie A club Lecce. The left-back joins the Red Devils for a reported £25 million transfer fee and £4m in add-ons. “Manchester United is pleased to confirm that Patrick Dorgu has joined the club, subject to visa and registration,” the club stated on Sunday. “The Denmark international has signed a contract until June 2030, with the option of an additional year.” “Dorgu, 20, has played 57 games for Lecce, contributing five goals already. The versatile defender has enjoyed an excellent season so far, having won the second-most…
Marcus Rashford is due to have a medical at Aston Villa on Sunday as he closes in on completing his loan move from Manchester United, according to Daily Mail. The English outlet reported that the deal will be an initial loan until the end of the season but it will also include an option for Aston Villa to sign Rashford permanently for a pre-agreed fee, which is understood to be £40 million. Various outlets have also claimed that Rashford, 27, has already agreed personal terms with Villa for the duration of the loan. The 60-cap England international is reported to…
By Korede James Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong was on target for Al Kholood in their 4-3 away loss to Al Ittihad in the Saudi Professional League on Saturday night. It was the Nigeria centre-back’s second goal in 18 games in the league this season. Troost-Ekong, the Most Valuable Player at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, gave Al Kholood the lead on 15 minutes and they went 2-0 up eight minutes later thanks to Myziane Maolida. Al Ittihad reduced the deficit with 10 minutes left in the first half through Abdultahman Al-Oboud and former Tottenham Hotspur forward Steven Bergwijn…