Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Kai Havertz is reportedly set to miss the rest of the season after the forward sustained an injury during Arsenal’s mid-season trip to Dubai. The Athletic broke the story on Wednesday, with other outlets later reporting the same. Germany international Havertz has led the Arsenal attack this season, scoring 15 goals across all competitions. Arsenal are battling with Liverpool for the English Premier League title and have already qualified for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 after finishing third in the 36-team league phase. But their trophy chances have been handed a hefty blow after it was reported Havertz…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Flying Eagles of Nigeria will find out their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage opponents on Thursday, when the tournament’s draw will be held. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed on Wednesday that the draw ceremony will be held in Cairo on Thursday afternoon, with the tournament itself scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire from April 26 to May 18. According to the continental governing body, the draw will be broadcast live on CAF TV, with former Mali international Adama Coulibaly and ex-Senegal star Souleymane Camara acting as draw assistants. The Flying Eagles, who have been…
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has said the display of a banner highlighting Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win before kick-off at Manchester City motivated him even more to win the UEFA Champions League play-off first leg on Tuesday night. Vinicius was named man of the match after providing the assist for Jude Bellingham’s stoppage time winner and Brahim Diaz’s late equaliser in Real Madrid’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Spain midfielder Rodri claimed the prestigious Ballon d’Or prize ahead of the Brazil winger last October, with Real Madrid boycotting the ceremony in Paris because they felt their player…
Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi was on the score sheet but had to be taken off on a stretcher with a head injury as Nottingham Forest saw off third-tier Exeter in their English FA Cup fourth round clash on Tuesday night. Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo revealed after the match that Awoniyi sustained a broken nose after an aerial collision with Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth. The Nigeria international was given a rare start in a much-changed Nottingham Forest as 10-man Exeter City took them to extra-time and a penalty shootout. The two sides finished deadlocked at 2-2 after extra-time,…
By Korede James Jude Bellingham was the hero for Real Madrid as his stoppage time strike secured a 3-2 win against Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-offs tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night. Manchester City led twice off an Erling Haaland brace but Real Madrid fought back with Kylian Mbappe and former City player Brahim Diaz also scoring for the Spanish giants. Both teams will meet in the second leg next Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu. City took the lead thanks to Haaland, who received a chested pass from Josko Gvardiol and…
By Korede James AS Roma Ladies have announced the signing of Falconets defender Shukurat Oladipo from Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) club FC Robo Queens. The Italian club confirmed the signing on on Tuesday, stating: “AS Roma is thrilled to announce the signing of Shukurat Damilola Oladipo. “The 20-year-old has put pen to paper on a contract that runs until 30 June 2027. “Shukurat heads to Rome from Robo FC, where she made 178 appearances for the Nigerian outfit. She took part in the U-20 Women’s World Cup and has two senior international caps to her name. “Welcome to Roma,…
By Korede James Super Eagles forward Nathan Tella’s superb strike against Borussia Dortmund has been voted Bayer Leverkusen’s Goal of the Month for January. Leverkusen announced Tella as the winner on Tuesday, as he beat off competition from three other nominees to land the award. The three other nominees were Alejandro Grimaldo for his goal against FSV Mainz, Florian Wirtz’s strike against Borussia Monchengladbach, and Patrik Schick against RB Leipzig. Tella’s goal was in Leverkusen’s 3-2 win away to Dortmund on January 10. The 25-year-old received a pass inside the box and hit a one-time strike which flew past the…
Luis Rubiales has told a court that Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso gave her consent before he kissed her at the Women’s World Cup final in Australia in 2023. The former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is on trial accused of sexual assault and attempting to coerce Hermoso into publicly saying the kiss had been consensual. Giving evidence, Rubiales, 47, said he was “absolutely sure” the player gave permission for the kiss, adding: “In that moment it was something completely spontaneous.” The incident occurred during the medal-giving ceremony after Spain’s World Cup win in Australia, triggering protests and…
Flying Eagles of Nigeria head coach Aliyu Zubairu has called to camp 30 players for a two-match tour of Egypt later this month. According to the Nigeria Football Federation, the seven-time African U-20 champions will clash with their Egyptian counterparts in Cairo in friendly matches on February 25 and February 27. This year’s U-20 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Cote d’Ivoire from April 26 to May 18, with the four top-placed teams qualifying to represent the continent at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled for September 27 to October 19. The Flying Eagles, champions of Africa in…
Former referee Pierluigi Collina believes the penalty kick rule should be changed, not allowing penalty takers to score on the rebound. “I believe there is an excessive gap between the opportunities available to the attacker and those of the goalkeeper,” Collina told Repubblica. “On average, 75% of penalties are already scored, and often, the penalty kick is a bigger chance than the one taken away by the foul. “On top of that, the attacker is also given a chance to play the rebound off the goalkeeper. In my opinion, goalkeepers should be complaining. “I’ve already mentioned this in discussions we’ve…