Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Malawian Godfrey Philip Nkhakananga has been named the centre referee for Friday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. The Confederation of African Football has also appointed Nkhakananga’s compatriots, Clemence Kanduku and Joseph Nyauti, as assistant referees 1 and 2 respectively, while Botswanan Keabetswe Dintwa will serve as fourth official for the Matchday 3 clash scheduled to kick off at 5pm. Munkaila Nassam Adam from Ghana will be the match commissioner, while Issaka Boubacar from Niger and Mayowa Akingbemisilu will be in the roles…
World number six Coco Gauff dominated unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova to win the China Open final 6-1 6-3 on Sunday and become the first player to win each of their first seven WTA hardcourt finals in the Open Era. Gauff fired off 24 winners in a strong performance to add the Beijing trophy to her win in the Auckland Classic this year and win the second WTA 1000 title of her career after her 2023 victory in Cincinnati, where she also beat Muchova in the final. Gauff, who improved her head-to-head record against Muchova to 3-0, has won eight of…
By Kayode John Table toppers Remo Stars will hope to maintain their perfect start to the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season when they face Kwara United in a Matchday 5 clash at the Kwara State Stadium on Sunday. Remo Stars have won all their four league matches so far and they did not concede a goal until on matchday 4 last weekend, which was in their 2-1 victory over champions Rangers in Ikenne. This fixture on the road against the Afonja Warriors will provude a tough test for Remo Stars, with two of their four wins so far…
By Kayode John Lobi Stars secured their first win of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season on Saturday, beating Shooting Stars 1-0 at the Lafia Township Stadium in Nasarawa. Also, El-Kanemi Warriors continued their unbeaten run this season, playing a 1-1 draw with Bendel Insurance in Benin City. Before the game against the Oluyole Warriors, Lobi Stars had recorded one draw and three consecutive defeats. Samuel Tiza Iorwuese scored the only goal of the game in the 29th minute, which was enough for their first win after five matches as they moved up to 15th in the table.…
By Kayode John Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface continued his rich vein of form on Saturday, scoring his fourth goal in six Bundesliga matches for Bayer Leverkusen in their 2-2 draw against Holstein Kiel. Also, Ademola Lookman bagged an assist in Atalanta’s 5-1 thrashing of Genoa in the Italian Serie A. It was Boniface’s second goal in as many games for the Bundesliga champions after he scored the winning goal against AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League last Tuesday. The 23-year-old put Leverkusen, who have not been as invincible as they were last season, into the lead after four…
By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles head coach Austin Eguavoen has called up 23 players for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Libya, including Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman and Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, two players in flying form. The Super Eagles will host the Mediterranean Knights at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, before heading to Benghazi for the return leg at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium four days later. Sevilla winger Chidera Ejuke is also recalled, the 26-year-old set to make his first appearance since 2022 at the AFCON in Cameroon. Full-backs Ola Aina…
By Nurudeen Obalola Leicester City, with Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi once again running their midfield, secured their first victory of the season in the English Premier League on Saturday, beating Bournemouth 1-0 at the King Power Stadium. Also on Saturday, both Manchester City and Arsenal had to come from behind to earn home victories, the former beating Fulham 3-2 and the latter eventually easing past Southampton 3-1. Ndidi did not add to his impressive four assists but he was brilliant again in the middle of the park as Facundo Buonanotte scored the only goal of the match in the…
Liverpool secured a sixth straight victory in all competitions on Saturday, beating Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park in their English Premier League clash. It was bittersweet for the Reds though as goalkeeper Alisson had to be taken off due to an injury. Diogo Jota struck early to keep Arne Slot’s side on top of the table, four points clear pending the outcome of the afternoon kick-offs. The Portugal forward took advantage of poor defending to turn in Cody Gakpo’s cross in the ninth minute and Liverpool held on to that slim lead. Brazil international Alisson appeared to suffer a…
By Kayode John Super Eagles stars Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi have returned to Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club Kano Pillars. Musa and Abdullahi have been spotted training with Kano Pillars, donning the team’s all-green training kit ahead of the Matchday 5 clash in the NPFL against Sunshine Stars at home on Sunday. “Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi, Nazir Laja, and the rest of the squad trained ahead of the NPFL 2024/25 Matchday 5 clash against Sunshine Stars this weekend,” the club wrote on X on Friday. It will be Musa’s third stint at the club. He previously featured for…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking forward to victory against Southampton on Saturday, which would see the Gunners become the second club after Manchester United to secure 400 home wins in the English Premier League. Arsenal and champions Manchester City are the only unbeaten sides in the league this season. The London club are third spot in the league table and on same number of points as City who have a superior goal diffidence. Meanwhile, Southampton, who have Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo in his squad, have struggled since their promotion to the English top flight last season. The Saints…