Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Korede James Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman scored on his return from injury but missed a penalty, while his fellow Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze was in action as Atalanta and AC Milan got dumped out of this season’s UEFA Champions League. In Tuesday’s round of 16 play-off second leg clash in Italy, Belgian side Club Brugge stunned Atalanta 3-1 to progress into the round of 16 with a 5-2 aggregate win. Also in action in the encounter was Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika who played for 90 minutes for Club Brugge as he made his ninth appearance in the…
By Korede James Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has described Galatasaray’s league win away to Rizespor on Monday as key for his side. The Nigeria international continued his impressive scoring run as he scored the two goals to help his side to a 2-1 win, taking his league tally to 14 goals in 18 appearances this season. Also leaders Galatasaray restored their six-point lead over Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig table. “I think it was a very important and very difficult match. We won, we think we won in a way we deserved,” Osimhen told Galatasaray’s website. “I want…
Jannik Sinner’s three-month ban for a pair of positive drug tests has been defended by the World Anti-Doping Agency after claims the world number one’s punishment was too lenient. Sinner’s long doping saga came to an end on Saturday after the tennis star agreed to the ban, admitting “partial responsibility” for team mistakes which led to him twice testing positive for traces of clostebol in March last year. The Italian was facing a potential ban of two years after WADA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against his initial exoneration by the International Tennis Integrity Agency. But WADA…
Rio Ferdinand has revealed Manchester United’s “problem” amid fears over relegation. A depleted United squad — missing 12 senior players including Amad, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte — slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday. That was an eighth loss in 12 Premier League games for the Red Devils and Ruben Amorim’s side have slipped to 15th as a result after starting the weekend in 13th. Manchester United remain 12 points clear of the relegation zone with 13 matches remaining, four of which are against sides below them in the table. Whilst the idea of a club the…
By Korede James Former Nigeria international Ifeanyi Udeze has rated Super Eagles defender Ola Aina as the No.1 right-back in the English Premier League this season. Aina has been key for Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest this term as they stay in the hunt for a top four finish, with the modest club currently third in the table. Aside from taking care of business in the defence, Aina has also contributed in the attacking third, registering two goals and one assist in 25 appearances in the Premier League this season. “For me I believe Ola Aina is the best right-back…
Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has ventured into club ownership as the Brazilian has decided to purchase Portuguese side FC Alverca with a consortium. It is not clear how much the deal was worth, who Vinicius’ partners are, or how much of the money the Brazilian put up, but Diario AS and Record reported that he is part of the group that will become the majority owners. Alverca have announced that previous owner Ricardo Vicintin has sold his controlling stake to a consortium of Spanish and Brazilian investors, more of which will be revealed in the coming weeks. Alverca are…
By Korede James A brace from Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen earned Galatasaray a 2-1 win at Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig on Monday. The Nigeria international has taken his league goals for the season to 14 in 18 matches, along with four assists. His tally across all competitions this campaign stands at 19 goals and five assist in 24 appearances. Also, the former CAF Player of the Year award winner is joint-third in the Turkish Super Lig top scorers chart. Osimhen opened the scoring in the 47th minute but Ali Sowe equalised for Rizespor on seven minutes later.…
By Korede James Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is expected to be available for Atalanta’s UEFA Champions League second leg play-off clash with Club Brugge on Tuesday. According to Italian publication Prima Bergamo, Lookman partially trained with the rest of the team on Sunday alongside former Arsenal left-back Sead Kolasinac. The reigning CAF Player of the Year has missed the last six games across all competitions with knee problems. His return would be a big boost for Atalanta who lost the first leg of the play-off 2-1 away to Club Brugge. Also, this would be good news to the Super…
Anuoluwapo Opeyeri of Nigeria has won the 2025 All Africa Senior Badminton Championship men’s singles title in Douala, Cameroon. He defeated Egypt’s Adham Hatem 2-0 (21-7, 23-21) in Sunday’s final to claim a remarkable fifth consecutive gold medal in the event. Opeyori began his run to gold with a 2-0 victory over Algeria’s M. Ouchefoun in the round of 32, and followed up with another straight-sets victory against Reunion’s T. Cougouille in the round of 16. He also defeated Zambia’s Kalombo Mulenga, Mauritius’ Georges Paul in the quarter-finals and Morocco’s Driss Bourroum in the semi-finals to reach Sunday’s final. “This…
By Korede James Manchester United were beaten for a third time this season by Tottenham Hotspur, who won their English Premier League clash 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. The Red Devils handed Denmark-born striker with Nigerian heritage Chido Obi-Martin his senior debut in the defeat, the 17-year-old striker coming on in stoppage time as the side’s only substitute. Obi-Martin, who joined from Arsenal this season and has been scoring regularly for United’s youth sides, was one of several youngsters included in Ruben Amorim’s squad on Sunday due to injuries to some first team players. James Maddison was…