Author: Nurudeen Obalola
After a long wait, the Super Eagles of Nigeria list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe was announced last Wednesday. New head coach Eric Chelle unveiled a bloated 39-man provisional squad for the two crucial encounters. Following the announcement of the list, eyebrows were raised as regards invitation to certain players. In this piece, Sportingtimes.ng’s KOREDE JAMES lists 10 players who should not have been included by the Super Eagles coaching crew. MADUKA OKOYE Maduka Okoye has been sidelined since December 2024 after suffering a wrist injury. The 25-year-old has been out of action for…
Nigerian star and Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji has expanded her gold medal collection by winning the title at the 2025 Spanish Para Badminton International II in Vitoria. She has now won 11 out of 11 in internationals she has played so far. The multiple African champion convincingly defeated Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyba 2-0 (21-15, 21-15) in the women’s singles SL3 final category. On her way to gold, Bolaji first defeated Brazil’s Kauana Michelson Beckenka 2-0 (21-15, 21-2) and then France’s Caroline Bergeron 2-0 (21-7, 21-8) at the group stage before cruising through the quarterfinals, where she beat Australia’s Celine Vinot…
By Korede James Umar Sadiq was once again on the score sheet as his Valencia side defeated Real Valladolid 2-1 in LaLiga on Saturday night. The Super Eagles striker, who netted two goals in Valencia’s 3-3 draw at Osasuna last time out, has now scored four goals in seven Spanish top flight outings since his loan move from Real Sociedad in January. Also, the 28-year-old has found the back of the net four times in his last four games. Prior to Saturday’s encounter with Valladolid, Valencia had failed to win their last three matches. But their winless run ended thanks…
By Korede James Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) leaders Remo Stars lost 2-1 to Bendel Insurance in Benin City on Saturday, failing to stretch their lead at the top. A brace from Meyinwa Oritseweyinmi sealed the win for Insurance, while Remo Stars’ goal came late in the game through Arinze Anakwe. Oritseweyinmi opened the scoring in the second minute and doubled the lead 10 minutes after the break. Anakwe reduced the deficit in the 82nd minute, but Insurance held on to return to winning ways. Remo remain on top of the league table on 54 points, with Insurance now in…
By Korede James Liverpool increased their lead over Arsenal at the top of the English Premier League table to 16 points after coming from a goal down to beat bottom side Southampton 3-1 at Anfield on Saturday. Mohamed Salah continued his brilliant scoring run as he scored two penalties while Darwin Nunez was also on the score sheet for the Reds. Egypt international Salah is now the joint-fifth top scorer in Premier League history on 184 goals, same as Manchester City and Argentina legend Sergio Aguero. The 32-year-old has now scored 27 goals in 29 matches for Arne Slot’s men…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Flamingos of Nigeria took a big step towards qualifying for the next FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with a 3-1 victory over South Africa in the first leg of their qualifying tie on Saturday. The victory came in South Africa’s home ground in Pretoria, setting the Nigerian girls up nicely for the return fixture in Ikenne-Remo next week. The Flamingos struck twice in the first half and added their third goal midway into the second half, after the hosts had reduced the deficit just after the break. Chidi Harmony netted a brace for the Nigerian girls,…
By Korede James Super Eagles stars Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi were in action for Nottingham Forest as they defeated Manchester City 1-0 to boost their hopes of finishing in the English Premier League top four positions, which would guarantee UEFA Champions League football next season. Forest have now won a league game against City for the first time since a 3-2 win at Maine Road in the Championship in December 1997. Aina played for 90 minutes in his 28th appearance in the league this season, and was one of the best players on the pitch, locking down the right…
By Korede James Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has said Rangers would find it tough against Fenerbahce in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg clash at Ibrox next Thursday. Dessers scored and also provided an assist as Rangers sealed a 3-1 win in the first leg in Turkey on Thursday and is looking ahead to the reverse fixture at home against the Turkish club coached by Jose Mourinho. “Overall, I think we can be very happy. We handled them well. It will not be easy to handle them again next week but you see that we can…
By Korede James A late goal by Ahmed Abdultaofik earned Katsina United a 1-0 win against struggling Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in a week 28 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Friday. A win for 3SC would have seen them temporarily move up to the second position, eight points adrift of leaders Remo Stars, in the league table. Katsina United climbed to the 12th spot with the victory. While Katsina returned to winning ways after back-to-back defeats, the Oluyole Warriors are now winless in their last six matches, recording three defeats and three draws. With…
By Korede James Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken out about Chido Obi-Martin’s move from the Gunners to Manchester United, describing it as ‘very unfortunate’. Fresh from their 7-1 thrashing of PSV in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, Arsenal travel to Old Trafford on Sunday with the hope of earning the three points to keep their faint English Premier League title hopes alive. The Gunners are 13 points behind Liverpool in the table, although with a game in hand. United have been poor in front of goal and the terrible form of centre-forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee has…