Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Korede James Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi is set to start wearing a protective mask after he suffered a broken nose in Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Exeter City on Tuesday night. The Nigeria international scored Forest’s second goal as they went on to win on penalties, but had an aerial collision with Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth and had to be stretchered off the pitch after suffering a concussion and a broken nose. As a result, just like his Super Eagles teammate Victor Osimhen, Awoniyi is set to start using a protection mask. Osimhen started using…
By Korede James Super Eagles right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel was in action for Fenerbahce in their 3-0 home win against Anderlecht in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off tie. The Nigeria international, who was in the starting line-up for his seventh appearance in the Europa League this season, was replaced in the 46th minute. Dusan Tadic (11th minute) Edin Dzeko (42nd minute) and Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesry (57th minute) were the scorers for the Turkish club. In the Netherlands, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen’s Galatasaray suffered a 4-1 defeat away to AZ Alkmaar. Osimhen did not feature in the…
As Lagos gears up for the highly anticipated Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, February 15, 2025, excitement and emotion run high. This year’s edition is much more than a race, it is a moving tribute to legacy and a celebration of resilience. Under the evocative theme “Miles to Memories,” every stride taken by the runners transforms physical distance into lasting recollections, blending athletic endurance with heartfelt remembrance of a visionary leader. A Race that Transcends the Finish Line Since its inaugural run in 2016, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has evolved from a local initiative into a…
By Korede James Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Russia in an international friendly match on June 6, the Russian Football Union announced in a statement on Thursday, with the venue yet to be decided. According to the football body, the encounter is one of three friendlies lined up for Russia’s senior men’s national team, the others being against Zambia and Belarus. “The Russian Football Union has reached agreements with the football federations of Zambia, Nigeria and Belarus to hold friendly matches in the coming FIFA windows,” the body stated. “In March, Valery Karpin’s team will play against Zambia. The game…
Liverpool manager Arne Slot may face an extended two-match touchline ban after his red card following the Reds’ bad tempered 2-2 draw at Everton – despite the Premier League deleting their statement. Slot and assistant Spike Hulshoff confronted referee Michael Oliver after the final whistle to protest against James Tarkowski’s last-gasp equaliser. Liverpool were adamant there had been a foul in the build-up, but Oliver awarded a goal, with VAR confirming the decision. Oliver showed Slot a red card after the Dutchman shook his hand. That prompted questions about the reasons behind his dismissal, with the Premier League since announcing…
Semi-automated offside technology will be used in English domestic football for the first time during the fifth round of the FA Cup. On Thursday the Football Association announced that the technology will be used in the seven games taking place at Premier League stadiums. The FA added that “following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season”. Premier League clubs unanimously approved its use for the 2024-2025 season in April, with a planned introduction date of October 2024, although that was delayed to allow for further testing of the technology. UEFA…
By Korede James Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been drawn with Egypt, Morocco and South Africa in Group B of the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. The final draw for this year’s tournament took place on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt. Hosts Côte d’Ivoire will face DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania and a yet-to-be-identified team in Group A. Group C has champions Senegal, Zambia and Sierra Leone. The teams are divided into three groups (A, B and C), with Group A containing five teams and Groups B and C four sides each. The top two teams in each…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Nigeria Football Federation has overturned the decisions of the Nigeria Premier Football League to deduct three points from Bendel Insurance and Nasarawa United. The NPFL had fined Insurance and removed three points and three goals from their haul after violence marred the league clash against visiting Kano Pillars at the Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on November 11. However, the NFF announced on Thursday that its disciplinary committee ruled that the fines were enough punishment for the assault on match officials. “The Committee affirmed paragraphs a, b, c, d, and f of the decisions (fines) of the…
By Korede James Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi has returned to first-team training with OGC Nice after a lengthy layoff due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Moffi had been out of action since pre-season, missing the 2024/2025 campaign for Nice so far. However, on Wednesday, the 25-year-old returned to Nice’s training ground, taking part in a session. Moffi last made an appearance for Nice on May 19, 2024 in a 2-2 draw against Lille. His last outing for Nigeria was in a World Cup qualifier on June 10, in the 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic. Also, he was…
By Korede James Samuel Chukwueze was in action for AC Milan who lost 1-0 at Feyenoord in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-offs tie on Wednesday night. The Super Eagles winger came on in the 60th minute but could not affect the outcome of the match. It was Chukwueze’s sixth appearance in the Champions League this season, the fifth as a substitute, with one assist. Igor Paixao scored the only goal of the game just three minutes into the encounter. Seven-time Champions League winners Milan would hope to turn things around when they host Feyenoord in the…