Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Kayode John Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is in line to play his first match of the 2024/2025 Serie A season on Sunday, when Atalanta host Fiorentina at the Gewiss Stadium. The Nigeria international has not featured for Atalanta since August 14 in the club’s 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup. The 26-year-old was caught up in the web of reported transfer interest from Paris Saint-Germain, which was believed to have turned his head as the summer transfer window was about to close. The former RB Leipzig winger reportedly wanted to force a move to…
By Kayode John Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, registered an assist for Galatasaray on Saturday on his debut as they defeated Rizespor 5-0 in the Turkish Super League. Osimhen provided the assist for Abdulkerim Bardakci to score the side’s second goal in the 25th minute of the encounter at RAMS Park. The goal was initially credited to Osimhen but upon review it was determined that he did not have the last touch, so he was given the assist instead. Osimhen featured for 90 minutes in the game but failed to get on the score sheet himself. Former Tottenham Hotspur defender…
Kayode John Remo Stars recorded a 1-0 victory over Sunshine Stars of Akure on Saturday, in a Week 2 clash of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in Ikenne. Remo Stars have now earned back-to-back wins in this new campaign, following their 2-0 victory over Abia Warrirors at the Umuahia Township Stadium last weekend. Playing their first home game of the season, the hosts started the South-West derby on the front foot, putting Kennedy Boboye’s side under pressure early on in the game. Remo Stars went into the lead after just seven minutes through Shuaib Ibrahim, who scored a debut…
By Kayode John It went from bad to worse for Nigerian football legend, Emmanuel Amuneke, on Saturday, after Heartland fell to a 3-1 <span;>Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)<span;> defeat to Rivers United, coached by another great, Finidi George. Heartland suffered a 3-1 home loss to Enyimba last weekend, in Amuneke’s first game as the head coach of the Owerri-based outfit. The result put Amuneke under some pressure to obtain a favourable result going into the clash with Rivers United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt. However, their hosts made their intention known early in the game as Taofeek…
By Kayode John Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface scored two goals in Bayern Leverkusen’s 4-1 Bundesliga win at Hoffenheim on Saturday. Boniface had failed to score in his first two Bundesliga games of the season against Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig, who ended Leverkusen’s unbeaten run in the league before the international break. In Saturday’s encounter, the 23-year-old Nigeria international doubled his side’s lead after 30 minutes to open his goal account for the season in the league after an assist from Granit Xhaka. He completed his brace in the 75th minute to restore Leverkusen’s three-goal lead, converting a pass…
By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi starred for Leicester City on Saturday with two assists as they drew 2-2 at Crystal Palace in their English Premier League clash. Ndidi’s fellow Nigeria international Ola Aina was one of Nottingham Forest’s heroes as they produced the shock of the day with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland continued his incredible scoring run with a brace as Manchester City defeated Brentford 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. Ndidi, who was involved in last week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, set up Jamie Vardy with a brilliant through ball…
The First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu has praised Team Nigeria athletes to the just concluded Paris 2024 Paralympics. Nigeria won seven medals at the Games — two gold, three silver and two bronze. Tinubu received the athletes and officials led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, in her office at the State House, Abuja on Saturday. “Today, we celebrate not just the medals, but the spirit of resilience that defines our athletes and your names will be written in the annals of history as champions,” she said. “I want to especially acknowledge Folashade Oluwafemiayo and…
By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo was an unused substitute on Saturday as his Southampton side were beaten 3-0 at home by Manchester United in an English Premier League clash. The Nigeria international was on the sidelines preparing to come on as a late substitute when defender Jack Stephens was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Alejandro Garnacho. With the Saints down to 10 men, they needed defensive reinforcement and coach Russel Martin changed his mind, bringing on Taylor Harwood-Bellis instead of Aribo in the 81st minute. Aribo had started all of Southampton’s first three Premier League…
Sunshine Stars head coach Kennedy Boboye is confident his side can secure all three points in Ikenne against Remo Stars in a matchday 2 clash of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). The battle of Stars scheduled for Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne has been tagged ‘Oduduwa Derby.’ Boboye in his pre-match interview said if Remo Stars could get three points at Abia Warriors then nothing should stop Sunshine Stars from doing the same against last season’s runners-up on Saturday. “We are in Ogun State to pick the maximum points against Remo Stars,” Boboye boasted. “I have confidence in my…
By Kayode John Two Nigerian football icons, Finidi George and Emmanuel Amuneke, will collide in the Nigeria Football League (NPFL) on Saturday in Port Harcourt, when Rivers United host Heartland. Former Super Eagles teammates Finidi and Amuneke were appointed as head coaches of Rivers United and Heartland respectively last summer, and will face off at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium. Finidi, the former Super Eagles and Enyimba coach, earned a draw away to Bendel Insurance last weekend, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, a ground he admitted after the game is always a difficult place for him to get…