Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Korede James Brighton and Hove Albion made it back-to-back victories against Chelsea with a comfortable 3-0 win at the Amex Stadium in the English Premier League on Friday night. The Seagulls also accounted for Chelsea’s exit in the FA Cup thanks to a 2-1 win at the same venue last Saturday. A brace from Yankuba Minteh and a world-class strike from Kaoru Mitoma sealed the points for Brighton on Friday against a subdued Chelsea side. It was the first time since September 2021 against Manchester City that Chelsea have failed to register a shot on target in a Premier…
By Korede James Egyptian giants Zamalek have announced the appointment of former Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro as their new handler. Peseiro joined Zamalek after signing a one-and-a-half-year contract. “Zamalek sign Portuguese Jose Peseiro as technical director of the team,” the club announced on Friday. “Welcome our new coach.” Peseiro arrived in Cairo on Thursday to finalise the deal as he replaced Swiss coach Christian Gross who replaced another Portuguese, Jose Gomes, who left the team in November. “Happy, honoured to represent Zamalek! And with a lot of ambition,” the 64-year-old Peseiro wrote on X in reaction to his…
Not a single female athlete features in the top 100 spots in a newly published list of sport’s highest earners in 2024, with male footballer Cristiano Ronaldo on top of the pile. The list does, however, demonstrate the spending power of the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo heads the list thanks in no small part to the mega-money deal he signed with Al-Nassr during the 2022-2023 season, while fellow Saudi-based star Karim Benzema is also in the top 10. Players’ salaries and winnings are combined with off-field earnings, with footballers making up half of the top 10. Former Paris Saint-Germain team-mates Lionel…
Flying Eagles of Nigeria head coach Aliyu Zubairu is not losing sleep over his side’s prospects at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations despite being drawn in a tough group. The seven-time African U-20 champions were on Thursday drawn against South Africa and fellow former champions Egypt and Morocco in Group C of the tournament scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire from April 26 to May 18. In his reaction to the draw, Zubairu said: “It’s a very good draw. If a team truly aspires to reach the FIFA World Cup, there is no need to shy away from any opponent.…
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…