Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Korede James Remo Stars recorded their sixth straight win in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after beating Kano Pillars 2-1 in a matchday 23 contest in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday. The Daniel Ogunmodede-led side are on top of the league table, eight points clear of second-placed Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC). Sikiru Alimi opened the scoring in the fifth minute for Remo Stars after finishing off a low cross by Seun Ogunribide. With five minutes left to play in the first half, Ibrahim Abubakar made it 2-0, guiding the ball into the net after the Kano Pillars goalkeeper had…
By Korede James Manchester City had to dig deep to overcome League One outfit Leyton Orient 2-1 away in the fourth round of the English FA Cup on Saturday. Kevin De Bruyne came off the bench to net the winner with less than 20 minutes left after the home side went into the break 1-0 ahead. Leyton took a surprise lead on 16 minutes after a lob from the middle of the pitch by Jamie Donley hit the bar and came off City keeper Stefan Ortega. The Cityzens equalised in the 56th minute thanks to new signing Abdukodir Khusanov who…
By Korede James Sevilla head coach Garcia Pimienta has ruled Nigerian striker Akor Adams out of Sunday’s LaLiga clash with Barcelona due to injury. According to Pimienta, Adams and on-loan midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga both suffered muscle injuries after training. “A player getting injured is always bad news,” Pimienta said on Friday. “Unfortunately, two of our boys picked up an injury right at the end of the session. “I feel bad for them, Akor and Sambi have both strained a muscle. They will both be out for a few weeks, but the rest of the squad is looking good.” Adams…
By Korede James Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers’ strike against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the UEFA Europa League has been voted Rangers men’s Goal of the Month for January. “It was an excellent take-and-finish from the striker in the UEFA Europa League as he got on the end of a long pass from James Tavernier,” the Scottish club stated. “Dessers used his body intelligently to nudge defender Harry Maguire out of the flight of the ball and after a lovely touch on his left-side he swept the ball into the bottom corner.” Despite Dessers scoring on the night,…
By Korede James A stoppage time goal by Harry Maguire earned Manchester United a 2-1 win against Leicester City in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round at Old Trafford on Friday night. Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi made a return to Leicester’s starting line-up after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since December. The Nigeria international was impressive in Leicester’s midfield for the 58 minutes he played before being substituted off. It was a return to Old Trafford for Ruud van Nistelrooy who was briefly in charge of United before the appointment of Ruben Amorim. A shock seemed to be…
By Korede James Katsina United edged out Heartland 1-0 in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday 23 fixture in Katsina on Friday. Muhammed Ibrahim scored the only goal of the encounter in the 73rd minute to earn his side the three points. The defeat put an end Heartland’s four-match unbeaten run (two wins, two draws). It is a return to winning ways for Katsina United who went into the match on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Bendel Insurance. The win means Katsina United are now in 13th in the NPFL table while Heartland are 11th, two points…
Discussions to scrap extra-time from UEFA Champions League knockout rounds are gathering speed within UEFA in what would be a new step to reduce the number of minutes played by top clubs. The Guardian understands the topic of taking ties in UEFA’s club competitions straight to penalties is being given serious consideration, although a change midway through this television rights cycle, which runs until 2027, is unlikely. Extra-time has long been a point of contention among European football’s stakeholders, with some players’ unions arguing strongly that its abolition would ease strains on a bulging calendar. The expanded group stage for…
By Korede James Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees has warned their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group C opponents that the Warriors are still in the race. After four matches, the Warriors are bottom of Group C on two points. Rwanda, South Africa and Benin Republic each have seven points and are first, second and third respectively. Lesotho are in thecfourth position with five points while Nigeria’s Super Eagles are fifth with three points. The Warriors will be back in action in the qualifiers on March 17 with a home game against Benin Republic and as guests of the Super…
LeBron James poured in 42 points to join Michael Jordan as the only 40-year-olds to score 40 points in an NBA game as the host Los Angeles Lakers notched a 120-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night/Friday morning. James also grabbed a season-best 17 rebounds to go with eight assists and six 3-pointers in an epic performance as the Lakers won their fourth straight game and 10th in their past 12. Austin Reaves added 23 points and Nigerian star Gabe Vincent scored 15 on five 3-pointers for the Lakers. Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes had 11 points…
By Korede James Liverpool hammered Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 on Thursday night to advance into the final of the Carabao Cup for the second year running. The Reds are now the first side in League Cup history to reach the final 15 times. Arne Slot’s side went into the semi-final second leg needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg. Goals from Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk secured the dominant win. Gakpo opened the scoring in the 34th minute while Salah doubled the lead on 51 minutes from the penalty spot. With 15 minutes…