Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Korede James Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Russia in an international friendly match on June 6, the Russian Football Union announced in a statement on Thursday, with the venue yet to be decided. According to the football body, the encounter is one of three friendlies lined up for Russia’s senior men’s national team, the others being against Zambia and Belarus. “The Russian Football Union has reached agreements with the football federations of Zambia, Nigeria and Belarus to hold friendly matches in the coming FIFA windows,” the body stated. “In March, Valery Karpin’s team will play against Zambia. The game…
Liverpool manager Arne Slot may face an extended two-match touchline ban after his red card following the Reds’ bad tempered 2-2 draw at Everton – despite the Premier League deleting their statement. Slot and assistant Spike Hulshoff confronted referee Michael Oliver after the final whistle to protest against James Tarkowski’s last-gasp equaliser. Liverpool were adamant there had been a foul in the build-up, but Oliver awarded a goal, with VAR confirming the decision. Oliver showed Slot a red card after the Dutchman shook his hand. That prompted questions about the reasons behind his dismissal, with the Premier League since announcing…
Semi-automated offside technology will be used in English domestic football for the first time during the fifth round of the FA Cup. On Thursday the Football Association announced that the technology will be used in the seven games taking place at Premier League stadiums. The FA added that “following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season”. Premier League clubs unanimously approved its use for the 2024-2025 season in April, with a planned introduction date of October 2024, although that was delayed to allow for further testing of the technology. UEFA…
By Korede James Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been drawn with Egypt, Morocco and South Africa in Group B of the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. The final draw for this year’s tournament took place on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt. Hosts Côte d’Ivoire will face DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania and a yet-to-be-identified team in Group A. Group C has champions Senegal, Zambia and Sierra Leone. The teams are divided into three groups (A, B and C), with Group A containing five teams and Groups B and C four sides each. The top two teams in each…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Nigeria Football Federation has overturned the decisions of the Nigeria Premier Football League to deduct three points from Bendel Insurance and Nasarawa United. The NPFL had fined Insurance and removed three points and three goals from their haul after violence marred the league clash against visiting Kano Pillars at the Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on November 11. However, the NFF announced on Thursday that its disciplinary committee ruled that the fines were enough punishment for the assault on match officials. “The Committee affirmed paragraphs a, b, c, d, and f of the decisions (fines) of the…
By Korede James Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi has returned to first-team training with OGC Nice after a lengthy layoff due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Moffi had been out of action since pre-season, missing the 2024/2025 campaign for Nice so far. However, on Wednesday, the 25-year-old returned to Nice’s training ground, taking part in a session. Moffi last made an appearance for Nice on May 19, 2024 in a 2-2 draw against Lille. His last outing for Nigeria was in a World Cup qualifier on June 10, in the 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic. Also, he was…
By Korede James Samuel Chukwueze was in action for AC Milan who lost 1-0 at Feyenoord in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-offs tie on Wednesday night. The Super Eagles winger came on in the 60th minute but could not affect the outcome of the match. It was Chukwueze’s sixth appearance in the Champions League this season, the fifth as a substitute, with one assist. Igor Paixao scored the only goal of the game just three minutes into the encounter. Seven-time Champions League winners Milan would hope to turn things around when they host Feyenoord in the…
By Korede James Liverpool missed the chance to go nine points clear of Arsenal in the English Premier League title race on Wednesday night after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Everton in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park before the Toffees move to their new stadium. The fixture, originally billed for December 7, was postponed due to adverse weather conditions. After a strong start from both teams, it was Everton who took the lead on 11 minutes as a quick free-kick sent Beto through who then slotted past Alisson. Liverpool were back on level terms in the 16th minute…
Grammy-winning Nigerian artiste Tems, real names Temilade Openiyi, has been unveiled as a part-owner of American Major League Soccer (MLS) club San Diego FC. The club announced the development on Wednesday, naming Tems as one of several investors. “San Diego FC (SDFC) today announced 2x GRAMMY Award-winning, Oscar nominated, Lagos, Nigeria-based singer, songwriter, and producer Tems, through her company The Leading Vibe, as the latest addition to the Club’s ownership group,” the club said in a statement. “Known for her effortless, one-of-a-kind, warm, vibrational sound, Tems brings her creative spirit and passion for community to the world of soccer as SDFC’s…
By Korede James Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) lost 2-0 to Kwara United in a rescheduled week 20 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Wednesday in Ilorin. The defeat ended 3SC’s eight-match unbeaten run and leaves them eight points behind leaders Remo Stars in the league table. Going into Wednesday’s encounter, the Oluyole Warriors were unbeaten in their last five league meetings with Kwara United. Kwara United took the lead through Kabiru Muhammed in the 22nd minute off an assist by Ojifinni Abdullahi. Abdullahi then doubled Kwara United’s lead 12 minites into the second half as the Afonja Warriors returned…