Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Israel Adesanya fell to his third straight loss in the mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on Saturday night against Nassourdine Imavov. The former middleweight champion was sent tumbling to the canvas by a huge right hand and then finished on the floor by some heavy ground and pound midway through the second round Adesanya, the 35-year-old Nigerian-New Zealander, had put his demons to bed in April 2023 by knocking out Alex Pereira at the fourth time of asking to regain the UFC middleweight strap before Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis handed him back-to-back defeats. Heading into his fight with Imamov he needed…
By Korede James Remo Stars defeated Sunshine Stars 2-1 in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday 22 fixture on Saturday. League leaders Remo Stars are nine points clear of second-placed Shooting Stars in the table with the Oluyole Warriors having played two games fewer. Although Sunshine Stars were the home team, the match was played at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, the Akure-based temporary home ground, with the Akure Township Stadium not fit to stage NPFL fixtures. The coach Daniel Ogunmodede-led Remo Stars have now won five consecutive NPFL matches. Remo raced to a 2-0 first half lead…
By Korede James Super Eagles stars Joe Aribo and Paul Onuachu got the goals that earned struggling Southampton a 2-1 win at Ipswich in Saturday’s English Premier League clash. It was Aribo’s third goal in 23 league appearances while Onuachu bagged his second in 14 games in the English top flight this season. Southampton went into the game on the back of six straight league defeats but took the lead through Aribo in the 21st minute before Liam Delap equalised for Ipswich 10 minutes later. With three minutes left of regulation time, Onuachu struck what proved to be the winner…
Super Eagles pair Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi were involved on Saturday as Nottingham Forest thrashed Brighton 7-0 in their English Premier League clash at the City Ground. While wing-back Aina was as usual in the Forest starting line-up, Awoniyi was a late substitute for hat-trick hero Chris Wood. The huge win was an emphatic response from Nottingham Forest, who were trounced 5-0 at Bournemouth last weekend. The loss at Vitality Stadium was Forest’s first since early December but they were back to winning ways in front of their own supporters on Saturday, registering their biggest-ever Premier League victory against…
By Korede James Manchester United have completed the signing of young defender Ayden Heaven from Arsenal on a four-and-a-half-year contract. The Red Devils confirmed the signing in a statement on Saturday, with Heaven to join the senior squad. “Manchester United is pleased to confirm that Ayden Heaven has joined the club,” the club stated. “The 18-year-old centre-back made his Arsenal debut earlier this season and has featured for England up to Under-19s level. “Heaven has signed a contract until June 2029, with the option of an additional year, and he will immediately join United’s first-team squad.” Speaking after completing his…
French Ligue 1 club Lille are close to finalising a deal with Ajax for Nigerian striker Chuba Akpom. According to reports from Foot Mercato and L’Équipe, Lille are hoping to agree on a loan deal with the option to buy Akpom. The reports claimed bringing in a new striker has been a clear target for Lille in the January transfer window, with Mohamed Bayo has been linked with a loan move to Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp and Jonathan David in the final six months of his contract. Akpom could provide additional support for David until the end of the season.…
By Korede James Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that beating Manchester City would lift his side’s confidence in the English Premier League title race. The Gunners will host Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and a win for the Arteta’s side would take them nine points clear of the league champions and keep up the pressure on leaders Liverpool. “It would be a big boost for us,” Arteta said in his press conference on Friday. “Winning big matches is always something special. “Every time we play a big match against one of our big rivals it brings…
Pep Guardiola has denied there is a rift between him and Mikel Arteta as Arsenal prepare to host Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in the English Premier League on Sunday. Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant at City for three-and-a-half years before taking charge at Arsenal in 2019. The two teams have gone head-to-head for the Premier League title in the last two seasons with City emerging tops on both occasions. Following the 2-2 draw at the Etihad in September, the relationship between the two managers appeared strained after Arteta suggested he had all the information about City’s use of dark…
By Korede James Holders Real Madrid will take on Manchester City in the headline tie of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 play-offs. The draw for the play-offs was held on Friday and this will be the fourth consecutive season City and Madrid will face each other in Europe’s elite club competition. Last season, Real Madrid edged out City 4-3 on penalties in the quarter-finals, after aggregate score ended 4-4 over two legs. Real Madrid went on to win land their 15th Champions League title after beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final. The record 14-time champions secured their…
By Korede James The Valencia women’s team have acquired Nigerian forward Motunrayo Ezekiel. “Valencia CF Femenino have reached an agreement with Nigerian international striker Ezekiel Motunrayo, 21, to wear the black and white jersey until June 30, 2026,” the club stated. “An attacking footballer, she can play on the right wing and as a centre forward, taking advantage of her speed in space and her good arrival at goal. “The player, who was born on May 30, 2003, comes from Naija Ratels of the Nigeria Women’s Premier League, having played for Rivers Angels during the 23-24 season, also of the…