Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Kayode John Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has debunked reports linking him with a move to Fenerbahce’s rivals Galatasaray when his contract expires in the summer of 2025. Osayi-Samuel, who has been a key player for Fenerbahce since moving to the club in 2021, is in the final months of his current contract. The 26-year-old has reportedly been in negotiations with the club over a contract extension but no breakthrough is being made. The Nigeria full-back will be free to talk to other clubs in January 2025, if no agreement is reached between his camp and the Turkish outfit.…
By Kayode John Newly-appointed Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Shehu Dikko says Nigeria’s path towards a sustainable sports economy has begun but emphasised that a change of approach is key towards achieving the set goals. Dikko said this on Wednesday at the official handing over of the running of sports in Nigeria to him by the former Minister of Sports John Enoh, in Abuja. “History has a way of coming full circle because in 2008 I was a consultant to the House of Representatives and was responsible for the drafting of the National Sports Commission Bill, a job…
By Nurudeen Obalola Manchester United began their post-Erik ten Hag era with a 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night at Old Trafford. The Foxes rested Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and a number of regulars for the clash. With the win, in which Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro each scored twice under the temporary guidance of interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, United eased into the quarter-finals, where they will face Tottenham Hotspur in London. Spurs saw off English Premier League champions Manchester City 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to advance, with Timo Werner…
Kparobo Arierhi scored both goals on Wednesday night as the Flying Eagles defeated Ghana 2-1 in the WAFU B U-20 Championship final to successfully defend their title in Lome, Togo. Arierhi struck first for the dominant Flying Eagles in the 34th minute, receiving a pass on the edge of the box and scoring with a left-footed finish into the bottom corner. The second goal was more spectacular. The Flying Eagles won the ball halfway into the Satellites’ area, and a couple of passes left Arierhi one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The Beyong Limits striker unleashed a right-footed shot right into the…
Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has assured Galatasaray that he will stay till the end of the 2024/2025 season. Osimhen has been in impressive form since joining the club from Napoli on loan in the summer. He scored to help them secure a 2-1 victory over Besiktas on Monday night in the Istanbul derby to further extend their lead at the top of the Super Lig table to six points. With his future still uncertain, the 25-year-old has been linked with a permanent move to Chelsea in the January transfer window. But according to Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu on X,…
LaLiga president Javier Tebas hammered Real Madrid for boycotting the Ballon d’Or and claimed they “lost their gentlemanly mentality a long time ago”. The Spanish giants had several players up for the Golden Ball and were also nominated for other awards. They ended up being named the best Men’s Club whilst Carlo Ancelotti was named the best manager, but they chose not to attend on Monday night in Paris when it emerged Vinicius Jnr wasn’t going to win the main prize. The Brazilian was among the favourites but eventually finished second. Rodri ultimately won the award but Real had four of the top…
By Kayode John Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has revealed that he was not living with his biological father in Nigeria before he making the journey to Europe to play professional football. Boniface was raised in a military barracks, but he rarely saw his own father who was in another part of the country. In a video posted on X, the Bayer Leverkusen star clarified his family background. “Most people don’t know, so I will explain. I saw a lot of comments recently online when I spoke about my mum,” the 23-year-old said. “My dad is from Jos, my…
Nigeria Football Federation Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau has commended Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman for finishing in 14th place in this year’s Ballon d’Or race, saying he believes the Atalanta star has what it takes to finish higher in the race next year. Lookman was the only African among the 30 nominees for the award, which was won by Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri in Paris on Monday night. “The NFF commends Ademola Lookman for his feat, and we believe he has the potential to finish much higher next year. He was already a winner before Monday’s night’s gala, as…
By Kayode John Libya players and supporters have embarked on a street protest over the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the boycotted 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier involving the Mediterranean Knights and the Super Eagles. Last Saturday, CAF found Libya guilty of breaching some of its statues and awarded three points and three goals to Nigeria, as well as a fine of $50,000 on the Libya Football Federation (LFF), for the mistreatment of the Nigerian team in the botched second leg of the AFCON qualifiers. The LFF has promised to go as far as…
By Kayode John A hat-trick by Folashade Ijamilusi secured a 4-1 victory for the Super Falcons of Nigeria against Algeria in a friendly at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Tuesday. A brace by captain Rasheedat Ajibade had helped the Super Falcons overcome Algeria 2-0 in the first of two friendly games at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Saturday. Edo Queens striker Ijamilusi opened the scoring for the Super Falcons on Tuesday after 10 minutes, and she netted her second of the game eight minutes later. The North Africans missed a penalty in the 39th minute but…