Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Manchester United and Manchester City played out an uninspiring 0-0 English Premier League draw on Sunday that underlined the need for change at both clubs this summer. City did threaten twice at Old Trafford through Omar Marmoush but the Egypt forward could not beat United goalkeeper Andre Onana on either occasion. United created a succession of half-chances. But once Alejandro Garnacho had been sent sprawling by Ruben Dias on the edge of the City box in the opening seconds, a familiar story unfolded. As on so many occasions this season, Ruben Amorim’s side did not seem as though they believed…
By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi netted a brilliant goal at Craven Cottage on Sunday to inspire Fulham to a 3-2 English Premier League victory over leaders Liverpool. The result ended Liverpool’s 26-game unbeaten run in the league as Fulham took four points off the Reds, who failed to extend their lead over second-placed Arsenal to 14 points. Iwobi netted with a fierce left-foot finish in the 32nd minute to give Fulham the lead after Ryan Sessegnon’s goal had cancelled out Alexis Mac Allister’s early opener for Liverpool. Rodrigo Muniz stretched Fulham’s advantage in the 37th minute, bullying…
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Taiwo Awoniyi missed his side’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the English Premier League on Saturday due to a hamstring injury. The Super Eagles striker, who has not had much playing time this season due to the impressive form of Chris Wood, had begun featuring more regularly following an injury to the New Zealander during the international break. However, despite more playing time, Awoniyi has struggled to make any impact. The former Liverpool striker was not included in Forest’s matchday squad on Saturday, as their pursuit of a UEFA Champions…
Akwa Ibom and Delta states shared the gold medals in the men’s and women’s 400m athletics events at the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) in Uyo on Saturday, while Bayelsa totally dominated in traditional wrestling. Victor Imeh Samson clinched gold in the men’s 400m in a time of 46.14 seconds for the host state, while Delta’s Ngozi Treasure Okereke claimed gold in the women’s race. Meanwhile, Bayelsa State secured seven of the eight gold medals available in traditional wrestling as the event was concluded at the Uyo Township Stadium on Saturday. Bayelsa, under the leadership of Olympic gold medallist…
By Korede James Super Eagles stars Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi were missing from the Nottingham Forest squad on Saturday as the club suffered a setback in the English Premier League race for UEFA Champions League spots with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park. Both Aina and Awoniyi sustained injuries in Forest’s last two matches and were unavailable on Saturday. Villa scored two goals in two minutes early in the first half, with Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen netting in the 13th and 15th minutes respectively. A much-improved second-half performance from Forest led to half-time substitute Jota…
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has been banned for three matches, the Turkish Football Federation announced on Saturday. The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United boss has also bern handed a fine of around £6,000 after grabbing the nose of Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk in the Istanbul derby. The incident occurred at the end of the Turkish Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, which Mourinho’s side lost 2-1 at home. A mass scuffle had broken out between both sets of players, with the referee sending three players off, two from Galatasaray, and after the final whistle the 62-year-old Portuguese appeared to pinch Buruk’s…
By Korede James Super Eagles stars Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella were in action for Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday as the German Bundesliga champions edged out Heidenheim 1-0 to stay in the title race with Bayern Munich. Meanwhile in Spain, Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq was in the Valencia starting line-up as they shocked Real Madrid 2-1 in Madrid. Boniface and Tella were in the starting line-up for Leverkusen and both were taken off in the 68th minute as substitute Emiliano Buendia struck the winner in stoppage time. It was Boniface’s 17th league appearance this season with eight goals and…
Everton did neighbours Liverpool a massive favour by holding title-chasing Arsenal to a 1-1 Premier League draw at Goodison Park on Saturday when Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty cancelled out a Leandro Trossard opener for the visitors. Second-placed Arsenal have 62 points from 31 matches, 11 behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand when they go to Fulham on Sunday. Everton climb to 14th place with 35 points from their 31 matches, 15 points clear of the relegation zone. Arsenal took the lead in the 34th minute with the first shot on target in the game as a poor…
Delta, Bayelsa and Edo have dominated the swimming event at the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) in Uyo after two days of competition. The three states won multiple medals on Day 2 on Friday at the Uyo Township Stadium, with Delta holding on to top spot in the event with eight gold and a total of 16 medals. Delta secured four gold medals on Friday, with Bayelsa and Edo claiming two gold medals each. Both Delta and Bayelsa states split the top prizes in the last two competitions of day two – the relays – with the former winning the…
By Korede James Super Eagles stars Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho starred on Friday night as their respective clubs, Nantes and Middlesbrough, secured important victories in France and England. Simon made an assist as Nantes defeated OGC Nice 2-1 away in a French Ligue 1 clash, taking his tally for the season to nine assists and seven goals in 26 league appearances. The winger set up teammate Douglas who put Nantes 1-0 ahead in the 11th minute. Ali Abdi equalised for Nice in the 14th minute before Matthis Abline scored Nantes’ second goal in the 38th minute. Also in action…