Author: Nurudeen Obalola
French Ligue 1 club Lille are close to finalising a deal with Ajax for Nigerian striker Chuba Akpom. According to reports from Foot Mercato and L’Équipe, Lille are hoping to agree on a loan deal with the option to buy Akpom. The reports claimed bringing in a new striker has been a clear target for Lille in the January transfer window, with Mohamed Bayo has been linked with a loan move to Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp and Jonathan David in the final six months of his contract. Akpom could provide additional support for David until the end of the season.…
By Korede James Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that beating Manchester City would lift his side’s confidence in the English Premier League title race. The Gunners will host Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and a win for the Arteta’s side would take them nine points clear of the league champions and keep up the pressure on leaders Liverpool. “It would be a big boost for us,” Arteta said in his press conference on Friday. “Winning big matches is always something special. “Every time we play a big match against one of our big rivals it brings…
Pep Guardiola has denied there is a rift between him and Mikel Arteta as Arsenal prepare to host Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in the English Premier League on Sunday. Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant at City for three-and-a-half years before taking charge at Arsenal in 2019. The two teams have gone head-to-head for the Premier League title in the last two seasons with City emerging tops on both occasions. Following the 2-2 draw at the Etihad in September, the relationship between the two managers appeared strained after Arteta suggested he had all the information about City’s use of dark…
By Korede James Holders Real Madrid will take on Manchester City in the headline tie of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 play-offs. The draw for the play-offs was held on Friday and this will be the fourth consecutive season City and Madrid will face each other in Europe’s elite club competition. Last season, Real Madrid edged out City 4-3 on penalties in the quarter-finals, after aggregate score ended 4-4 over two legs. Real Madrid went on to win land their 15th Champions League title after beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final. The record 14-time champions secured their…
By Korede James The Valencia women’s team have acquired Nigerian forward Motunrayo Ezekiel. “Valencia CF Femenino have reached an agreement with Nigerian international striker Ezekiel Motunrayo, 21, to wear the black and white jersey until June 30, 2026,” the club stated. “An attacking footballer, she can play on the right wing and as a centre forward, taking advantage of her speed in space and her good arrival at goal. “The player, who was born on May 30, 2003, comes from Naija Ratels of the Nigeria Women’s Premier League, having played for Rivers Angels during the 23-24 season, also of the…
The Edo State Sports Commission has begun its drive for talents with the tour of Local Government Councils in the Edo South Senatorial District as part of its grassroots sports development programme. The Edo State Commission under the leadership of the chairman, Amadin Desmond Enabulele, started the familiarization visit in Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha LGAs. The Executive Director, representating Edo South Senatorial District, Baldwin Bazuaye MON, and the Zonal Coordinator, Edo South Senatorial District in the Edo State Sports Commission, Mrs. Doris Omoragbon, led the delegation to the areas where the chairmen and council executive were on the ground to…
By Korede James Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen scored for Galatasaray in their 2-1 defeat to Ajax on matchday 8 of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night. Osimhen has now scored four goals in his last four matches for Galatasaray. The 26-year-old has scored five goals in six matches in the Europa League this season and 17 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions. Burkina Faso star Bertrand Traore put Ajax 1-0 up on 23 minutes through an assist by Nigerian forward Chuba Akpom, and Kian Fitz-Jim doubled Ajax’s lead in the 58th minute. Osimhen then netted a consolation…
By Korede James Enyimba played 1-1 draw with Heartland in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in Thursday’s Oriental Derby, while Rivers United missed an opportunity to close the gap on leaders Remo Stars. Enyimba have now gone five straight matches without a win, recording two draws and three defeats. Also, they went into Thursday’s game on the back of three consecutive defeats. Daniel Ekpo opened the scoring for Heartland after converting an 18th minute penalty. Joseph Atule drew Enyimba level 10 minutes into the second half but the hosts could not find the winning goal. Enyimba, the most successful…
As Andre Iguodala moves around town in the Bay Area these days, he is regularly stopped by fans eager to praise him for how he carried himself while playing for the Golden State Warriors. For his grit and his drive. For doing all the little things many never saw. Some even share how his example influenced the way they raise their own kids — because that’s how much he has meant to big-time basketball both on the court and off it. “I’m used to getting stopped a lot but now it throws me off because I don’t play basketball anymore,” Iguodala said. “You can see…
By Korede James Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella has expressed his hope of getting a recall to the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Tella got his first call-up to the Super Eagles in 2023 under former coach Jose Peseiro for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. He got his only cap on matchday 2 of the World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe in Kigali, Rwanda, which ended 1-1. He was invited for the matchday 3 and 4 fixtures against South Africa and Benin Republic but withdrew due to injury. He was then replaced by Caykur Rizespor midfielder Ibrahim…