Author: Nurudeen Obalola
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…
By Korede James Liverpool restored their seven points lead over Arsenal in the English Premier League title race with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Wolves at Anfield on Sunday. Mohamed Salah continued his impressive scoring run as he doubled his side’s lead (his league-leading 23rd goal this season) after Luis Diaz had opened the scoring. The Egypt international has now scored in six consecutive games for Arne Slot’s men. Also, Salah’s strike against Wolves is his 101st in the Premier League at Anfield, level with Wayne Rooney’s tally for Manchester United at Old Trafford. Only Thierry Henry (114 at Highbury)…
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has said Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi could be available for next weekend’s English Premier League clash with Newcastle United. Awoniyi was ruled out of Forests’ 2-1 defeat at Fulham on Saturday due to concussion protocols. The Nigeria international, who has managed just one goal in 19 Premier League appearances this season, was involved in a nasty collision towards the end of Forest’s midweek FA Cup win over Exeter City, in which he scored. He also suffered a broken nose but has been undergoing the fitting of a protective mask to wear once he…
By Korede James Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has claimed that Leicester City were unlucky to lose to Arsenal at the King Power in Saturday’s English Premier League clash. A late double (81st and 87th minutes) from substitute Mikel Merino handed Arsenal a 2-0 win against a Leicester side that suffered their third straight defeat. The defeat left Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men 19th in the table, two points from safety, while Arsenal are four points behind Liverpool, having played a game more than the Reds. Reflecting on the defeat, Ndidi praised his teammates for their effort against a ‘top team’.…
By Korede James Rivers United missed the chance to close the gap on Remo Stars after 1-0 defeat to Enyimba in a week 24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clash in Aba on Saturday. The defeat leaves Rivers United, handled by former Enyimba and Super Eagles head coach Finidi George, in third place, 10 points behind leaders Remo Stars. For Enyimba, it is a return to winning ways after losing back-to-back games. Imo Obot scored the only goal four minutes before the end of the first half. The People’s Elephant are 10th in the league table, well off the title-chasing…