Author: Nurudeen Obalola
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Gusau has been named the new head of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B. Gusau was appointed as WAFU B President on Monday following the resignation of Ghana’s Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, the NFF confirmed. The NFF added that Gusau “enjoys strong support among the zone’s members to bring continuity and dynamism to WAFU Zone B”. Gusau was serving as WAFU B’s first vice-president before succeeding Simeon-Okraku, who is also a Confederation of African Football (CAF) vice-president. WAFU, the football governing body for the West African sub-region, was divided into two zones…
The Flying Eagles defeated hosts Egypt in Cairo on penalties on Sunday to secure the bronze medal at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria won the third-place match 4-1 on penalties after full-time and extra-time finished 1-1. Osama Hassan shot the Young Pharaohs in front after only four minutes, but the Flying Eagles drew level two minutes after the break through Bidemi Amole. The Flying Eagles were flawless in the penalty shootout as they were against Senegal in the quarter-finals. Emmanuel Chukwu, Israel Ayuma, Kparobo Arierhi and Tahir Maigana all converted their kicks while two of Egypt’s three attempts…
By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and his daughter Hailey hogged the spotlight at Rams Park on Sunday as Galatasaray clinched the Turkish Super Lig title. Osimhen opened the scoring in the 3-0 victory over Kayserispor to confirm Galatasaray as the champions with two matches to spare. The Nigeria international struck in the 27th minute to take his Super Lig tally to 25 goals and five assists in 29 appearances, adding the Turkish title to the one he won with his parent club Napoli in 2023. To make the occasion even sweeter for Osimhen, it was Hailey who…
Taiwo Awoniyi’s Nottingham Forest teammates honoured the Super Eagles star on Sunday before, during and after their 2-1 English Premier League victory over West Ham at the London Stadium. While the encounter was crucial in Forest’s bid to finish in the top five and earn a ticket to the UEFA Champions League, it was also an emotional match for them as their first since Awoniyi required emergency surgery after colliding with a post during their draw with Leicester last week. Forest warmed up in T-shirts bearing Awoniyi’s name and number on the back, plus the message “we are all…
Everton marked the final English Premier League game at Goodison Park with a 2-0 victory against Southampton on Sunday amid emotional scenes at the 133-year-old stadium. Fans flocked to Goodison Park in their thousands hours before kick-off, packing the streets as they came to say a final farewell before the men’s senior team move to a new arena at Bramley Moore Dock, now known as the Hill Dickinson Stadium. In a stunning atmosphere and a sea of blue, Everton responded by easily beating relegated Southampton, who had Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo in their line-up, in the Merseyside sunshine. Iliman…
By Nurudeen Obalola Taiwo Awoniyi has spoken out for the first time since he suffered a horrific injury and had to endure surgery and an induced coma. The Super Eagles striker crashed into the post during his club Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 English Premier League draw with Leicester City last Sunday. Awoniyi had to undergo an abdominal surgery afterwards and was induced into a coma as part of the procedure. He has since woken up from the coma, but had not made any public comments until on Sunday, when he posted on social media. “This season has been one of the…
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has made history by breaking the world record in the women’s 150 metres event. Ofili achieved the feat on Saturday at the Adidas Atlanta City Games in the United States of America, clocking a time of 15.85 seconds. The 22-year-old has thus become the first woman in history to run the event under 16 seconds, smashing the previous world record of 16.23s set by Shaunae Miller-Uibo in 2018. The 150m is a distance that is rarely run at major competitions like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games or African Games, but it is still a huge achievement for…
Crystal Palace won the first major trophy in the club’s history with a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday. Eberechi Eze, the England international with Nigerian heritage, was Palace’s hero when he finished off a superb counter-attack by sweeping home Daniel Munoz’s cross after 16 minutes. City, meanwhile, endured a day of total frustration as they failed to win a trophy in a season for the first time since manager Pep Guardiola’s first campaign in charge in 2016-2017. They were furious when Palace keeper Dean Henderson was not shown a red card…
Real Madrid have agreed with Bournemouth to sign defender Dean Huijsen, both clubs confirmed on Saturday. “Real Madrid C. F. and AFC Bournemouth have reached an agreement for the transfer of Dean Huijsen, who will be linked to our club for the next five seasons, from 1 June 2025 to 30 June 2030,” the Spanish giants stated. “At his 20 years of age, Dean Huijsen is already a Spain international and has played in Italy’s Serie A with Juventus and Roma, and in the Premier League with Bournemouth. “Dean Huijsen has been nominated for Premier League Young Player of…
Chelsea gave their hopes of playing UEFA Champions League football next season a huge boost as Marc Cucurella struck in the second half to see off Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Friday night. The Blues needed to win to ensure a top-five finish was in their own hands, but for a large part of the drab game they were frustrated by the visitors. However, Cucurella headed in Reece James’ excellent cross to secure a win that moves Chelsea up to fourth place in the Premier League. They sit above Aston Villa on goal difference and a point clear…